MEP Lawmaker: Aruba Has Budget Surplus But Schools Are Underfunded

Aruba's Minister of Finance, Xiomara Wever, is pushing back against claims from the opposition and other critics who have argued that the government is sitting on a surplus of 500 to 700 million florins that could be spent on road repairs, lowering gasoline prices, or other public needs. Wever clarified that the actual, usable surplus stands at just 84 million florins — a significantly smaller figure than what critics have cited. The distinction matters because opposition voices have been using the larger surplus figures to pressure the government to increase public spending or provide financial relief to residents. Wever's statement suggests that much of the reported surplus may be earmarked, restricted, or not liquid enough to be freely deployed. The clarification comes amid ongoing public debate in Aruba about the cost of living and the condition of public infrastructure. The government appears to be trying to set the record straight on fiscal realities before policy decisions are made based on inflated expectations.

PPA faction leader Eduard Pieters is once again criticizing the Census Office (Censo) in Aruba for failing to provide appointments to people who have already received permission to settle and work on the island. According to Pieters, the situation has gone on for five months without resolution, leaving legal residents in bureaucratic limbo. The prolonged inability to get appointments is not just an administrative inconvenience — Pieters views it as a serious red flag, suggesting it may be a sign of illegal slot trading or manipulation within the system. The term 'benta ilegal di slot' refers to the alleged illegal selling of appointment slots, a practice that would undermine the integrity of the immigration and residency process. Pieters' repeated criticism indicates that previous calls for action have gone unaddressed by the relevant authorities. The issue raises broader concerns about transparency and accountability within Aruba's civil registration and immigration infrastructure.

Aruban Member of Parliament Gino Goeloe publicly recognized the importance of a nursing education initiative during a recent event on the island. Goeloe emphasized that Aruba faces an urgent need for more nurses and stressed the significance of programs designed to address that shortage. The MP's remarks came during an activity centered around nursing training, signaling political support for expanding healthcare workforce development. The acknowledgment from a sitting parliamentarian lends institutional weight to efforts aimed at growing the local nursing pipeline. Aruba, like many small Caribbean islands, relies heavily on a sufficient and well-trained healthcare workforce to serve both its resident population and its large tourist flow. The nursing program in question appears to be an initiative aimed at producing locally trained nurses to reduce dependence on foreign recruitment. Goeloe's public endorsement may help accelerate policy or funding support for the program going forward.