Politics
PoliticsAruba

MEP's Oduber: No Price Tag on Aruba's Freedom, Whatever COHO Law Changes

Source: Mas Noticia·7/17/2026·Aruba·1 min read

Dutch State Secretary Eric van der Burg is visiting Aruba to discuss proposed changes and adaptations to the COHO law (Kingdom Law on Caribbean Reform and Development) with the Aruban government. Aruba's MEP party politician Dangui Oduber responded sharply to these discussions, declaring that no amount of amendments or adjustments to the COHO law would make it acceptable to his party. Oduber's statement reflects deep-seated resistance within Aruba's political landscape to the COHO legislation, which critics argue compromises the island's autonomy and self-governance. The law, introduced by the Netherlands as a condition tied to COVID-19 financial assistance, has been a source of ongoing tension between Aruba and The Hague. MEP's position is firm: Aruba's freedom and sovereignty are not negotiable regardless of how the law is reworded or softened. Van der Burg's visit signals continued Dutch efforts to find a compromise, though opposition parties like MEP remain steadfastly opposed. The standoff highlights the broader friction between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and its Caribbean constituent countries over financial oversight and political independence.

Key Facts
  • Dutch State Secretary Eric van der Burg traveled to Aruba to discuss proposed changes to the COHO law with the Aruban government.
  • MEP politician Dangui Oduber firmly rejected any version of the COHO law, stating there is no acceptable price for Aruba's freedom.
  • The COHO law has been a major point of contention between Aruba and the Netherlands, linked to pandemic-era financial assistance conditions.
Enjoyed this story? Get the daily digest free.
Read original articleSummary translated automatically · Source: Mas Noticia

You are leaving IslandsDaily. The article will open on the publisher's site in its original language — your browser may offer to translate it.

More from Politics · Aruba

Minister Dowers Inspects Renovation Progress of Former Casino Affairs Building
Politics

Minister Dowers Inspects Renovation Progress of Former Casino Affairs Building

Aruba's Minister of Justice, Integration, and Public Transport, Mr. drs. Dowers, conducted an inspection of the ongoing renovation works at the former Department of Casino Affairs building. The visit was aimed at assessing the progress of the rehabilitation project firsthand. The building, which previously housed the Casino Affairs Department, is undergoing significant renovation work. Minister Dowers' inspection signals active government oversight of the project's timeline and quality. The renovation is part of broader government efforts to repurpose and upgrade public infrastructure on the island. The outcome of the inspection and any directives issued by the minister are expected to guide the next phases of the construction work.

Key Facts
  • Minister of Justice, Integration, and Public Transport Dowers personally inspected the renovation site.
  • The building being renovated is the former Department of Casino Affairs in Aruba.
  • The inspection was focused on evaluating the current progress of the ongoing renovation works.
Source: 24ora·4 hours ago
Read story Read original article Summary translated automatically · Source: 24ora
Former Casino Affairs Building to Become HR Department Office
Politics

Former Casino Affairs Building to Become HR Department Office

The former Department of Casino Affairs (DAC) building in Oranjestad, Aruba, is set to take on a new purpose following an extensive renovation project. Once the work is complete, the building will be occupied by the Department of Human Resources (Recurso Humano). The repurposing represents a practical reuse of existing government property rather than constructing or leasing new facilities. The renovation signals an effort by the Aruban government to consolidate and optimize its administrative infrastructure. The Department of Human Resources, which manages personnel affairs for the public sector, will benefit from a dedicated and newly updated workspace. While a specific completion date was not mentioned in the excerpt, the project appears to be well underway. The move is expected to improve operational efficiency for the department and make better use of a previously underutilized government building.

Key Facts
  • The former Department of Casino Affairs building in Oranjestad is being renovated for a new government use.
  • The Department of Human Resources will relocate to and occupy the refurbished building.
  • The project involves an extensive renovation before the space becomes fully operational.
Source: Noticia Cla·4 hours ago
Read story Read original article Summary translated automatically · Source: Noticia Cla
ReD: Circular Economy Policy Is Not a New Government Initiative
Politics

ReD: Circular Economy Policy Is Not a New Government Initiative

The political party Red Democratico (ReD) in Aruba is pushing back against the current government's presentation of circular economy policy as a new initiative. ReD argues that the circular economy framework was already formally developed and handed over to the current administration by a previous government. The party contends that the current government is taking credit for work that had already been completed before they took office. This claim raises questions about policy continuity and political transparency in Aruba's governance. ReD's stance suggests a broader tension between political parties over ownership of key economic and environmental policy directions. Circular economy initiatives, which focus on reducing waste and maximizing resource reuse, are increasingly important for small island nations like Aruba that face resource and environmental challenges. The dispute highlights how policy handovers between administrations can become points of political contention.

Key Facts
  • ReD states that the circular economy policy was formally developed before the current government took office.
  • The party claims the policy was already handed over to the current administration, making it not a new initiative.
  • ReD is challenging the current government's narrative around the origins of the circular economy framework in Aruba.
Source: Noticia Cla·4 hours ago
Read story Read original article Summary translated automatically · Source: Noticia Cla
You've read 11 stories this week
IslandsDaily

Dutch Caribbean news in English. We aggregate, translate, and summarize headlines from leading publications across Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire, and St. Maarten so you never miss what matters.

All Islands

Stay Informed

Pick the islands you care about and get 5 headlines on WhatsApp every morning. Free, in English.

The Caribbean Morning Briefing.

Aruba · Curaçao · Bonaire · St. Maarten

Content owners & press: legal@islandsdaily.com

Inhoudseigenaren & pers: legal@islandsdaily.com

Propietarios de contenido & prensa: legal@islandsdaily.com

Removal requests are processed within 48 hours · Verzoeken worden binnen 48 uur verwerkt · Las solicitudes se procesan en 48 horas

© 2026 IslandsDaily. All rights reserved.

v2026.07.24.1854