Right from the start of the Status Aparte in 1986, Aruba’s public finances were problematic. This situation has worsened over the past 30 years despite good economic performance. Attempts to improve the financial situation mainly led to tax and premium increases that had only short-term effects. Apparently, there were forces at work that structurally negatively influenced the Aruban public finances.

Indeed, an analysis of existing reports from official Aruban advisory and controlling bodies shows that political patronage, inadequate financial management and dubious projects throughout the Status Aparte period played a bad role in the political process. Together they form the main elements of the (structurally unsound) management conducted. This has led to a massive waste of money and an unacceptable level of debt. For many, the question is in what ways unsound governance in Aruba mainly occurred/does in practice and also what that means in concrete terms for society.

Since there is no reading tradition in Aruba and especially the younger generations have hardly any information about the real facts of the growth of the debt burden and all the problems associated with it, SDBA has chosen to show this development through presentations.