ORANJESTAD — Minister Gerlien Croes appeared on NoticiaCla LIVE Thursday night, firmly defending her decision to use a private flight last year for work-related purposes, calling the opposition criticism a clear attempt to undermine her political credibility.
The controversy dates back to last year when Croes opted to fly on a private plane for official business, raising questions about whether the move was appropriate for a government minister. The opposition party MEP has been questioning the official for several months. Journalist Tito Laclé posed direct questions, including when she paid, how much she paid, and to whom.
Extended Response
Croes indicated that the flight issue has become a constant point of attack, even after multiple debates in Parliament. “During the 2026 budget discussions, it even led to a motion of no confidence against me. That is the highest power Parliament can use, and they used it over the flight issue,” the minister said.
According to Croes, using the flight was nothing out of the ordinary and certainly not illegal. “It is not against the law to share expenses. I paid with my own money, not with public funds,” she emphasized, adding that sharing expenses is common practice, even among lawyers and other professionals.
American Law Not Applicable
The minister strongly criticized the use of external legal opinions to question her actions. According to Croes, the opposition based its criticism on advice from an American legal scholar. “As if American law applies to Aruba. That is simply not the case,” she said, completely rejecting the argument.
Personal and Political Attack
Croes noted that the tone of the criticism has a political motive. “I notice they are trying to break my credibility as a politician. But that does not bother me,” she declared. The minister said the narrative suggesting some type of personal benefit or political favor is incorrect.
Transparency on Spending
Croes emphasized she has always acted with transparency regarding public funds. “When it comes to public money, I am upfront about that. But in this case, I paid with my own money,” she clarified.
The minister maintained that her actions were completely within the legal framework. “There is nowhere that stipulates a person cannot use this type of flight,” she said. Croes also questioned the opposition’s focus, suggesting the issue has been exaggerated for political purposes.
“Everyone can have their own legal opinion. But that does not change the fact that I did nothing against the law,” Croes concluded. Meanwhile, the topics of resource use, transparency, and political integrity will continue to remain at the center of debate in Aruba.
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