Government Seeks to Delay UTV/ATV Case; Aruba Birdlife Fights Back

Aruba's Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, Internal Services, and Telecommunications, Rene Herdé, has announced that Roland Croes will continue in his role as director of SETAR N.V., Aruba's state-owned telecommunications company. The minister stated that over recent days he held several conversations with all relevant parties, including Croes himself, before reaching this decision. The announcement puts to rest any speculation about a leadership change at SETAR, which provides critical telecommunications infrastructure across the island. Herdé's involvement signals that the government maintains close oversight of the publicly owned telecom provider. The decision is seen as a move toward stability within the organization.

Aruba's Minister of Housing, Infrastructure, Internal Services, and Telecommunications, René Herdé, announced that ir. Roland Croes will remain as director of SETAR N.V., the island's state-owned telecommunications company. The minister stated that in recent days he held several conversations with the concerned parties before reaching this decision. SETAR N.V. is a critical public utility provider on Aruba, making leadership stability at the organization a matter of public interest. The confirmation of Croes' continued role signals that the government has opted for continuity in the management of the telecom company rather than a leadership change. The announcement comes amid ongoing discussions about the direction and governance of public entities in Aruba.

Aruban politician Otmar Oduber is calling on the AVP/FUTURO cabinet to take bold action in revitalizing Caya Grandi, Aruba's main commercial street in downtown Oranjestad. Oduber acknowledges that the current government has ambitious plans for urban development and the revitalization of the city center, but warns those plans cannot move forward without changes to the ROPV — the island's spatial planning and zoning regulations. He is urging the government to show political courage by amending the regulatory framework that he argues is blocking meaningful progress. The call highlights a growing frustration that vision alone is not enough without the legislative and regulatory will to back it up. Caya Grandi has long been a focal point of concern for business owners and residents who want to see the area modernized and more economically vibrant. Without reform to the ROPV, Oduber argues, the government's development promises risk remaining on paper only.