Turning the Corner: Signs of Hope in Aruba’s New Government
When I wrote on January 20th, 2025 about the need for a leaner, more accountable government, I wasn’t just throwing out ideas – I was responding to a moment. Aruba’s growing debt, complex bureaucracy, and fraying public trust demanded change. We needed fewer ministries, stronger leadership, and a bold reset.
Now, with the announcement of the 2025–2029 cabinet, we have a chance to assess: were the lessons heard? Were any of those recommendations taken seriously?
To my pleasant surprise, the answer is yes – at least in part. This new government may not have fully reshaped the structure, but there are unmistakable signs of course correction. Ministries have been consolidated. Key leaders have been given portfolios reflecting real priorities. And a tone of renewal – cautiously, but unmistakably – is starting to emerge.
A Leaner Structure, Headed in the Right Direction
I called for a five-ministry model focused on efficiency and cost control. We now have seven ministers and one plenipotentiary – fewer than in previous administrations. It’s not drastic reform, but it’s a move in the right direction. This cabinet lineup suggests more intent and less political fragmentation. It signals that someone, somewhere, understood the need for fewer silos and more synergy.
Smart Pairings, Capable Hands
Some of the portfolio combinations reflect smart thinking. Geoffrey Wever, LL.M. has been appointed Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs, and the Primary Sector – a powerful combination that mirrors what I suggested. Wever brings policy depth, reformist energy, and the experience to execute. With consumer protection and banking legislation already in the pipeline, the potential for early impact is real. Aruba needs that momentum.
Wendrick Cicilia, LL.M. now oversees Tourism, Transport, and Labor. That’s a big ministry – but also a logical one. These sectors are interdependent, especially as Aruba continues to recalibrate its tourism strategy and build a stronger, more inclusive labor market. Done right, this could lay the groundwork for a tourism industry that is less dependent on cruise ships and more focused on quality experiences and sustainable growth.
Arthur Dowers, LL.M. takes on Justice and Public Transport – a pairing that might not look obvious at first glance, but has precedent. Dowers has always brought discipline to public service. If that same energy is applied to transport systems and governance around public infrastructure, we may see overdue improvements begin to take shape.
And let’s be honest – the fact that the Minister of Justice is now overseeing infrastructure sends a very clear message. If there were ever areas vulnerable to backdoor dealings or political favoritism, land issuance and permits have long topped the list. But it’s hard to imagine anyone trying to play games – or worse, offer bribes – when the person in charge also happens to be in charge of the police. That alone could serve as a serious deterrent, and it’s the kind of structural alignment that brings both integrity and accountability closer to the surface.
Gerlien Croes, LL.M. steps into a wide-ranging but exciting role as Vice Premier and Minister of Education, Youth, Innovation, Sport, and Kingdom Affairs. This is a ministry that holds the future – quite literally – and Croes brings both intellect and ambition. If she anchors this portfolio in policy, not PR, she could become one of the most impactful ministers in this government.
Hopefully, she will emerge as a positive role model not only for women, but for everyone – especially our youth and children, who are in urgent need of leadership they can look up to. That kind of presence was sorely missing in the previous government, particularly from “you know who”. Aruba could benefit greatly from a minister who leads with substance, not just symbolism – and Croes might just be that person.
Mike de Meza, meanwhile, takes the reins of Energy, Infrastructure, and Telecommunications – a trio that demands clear strategy and private-sector savvy. His experience positions him well to address long-term utility issues, push for modernization, and deliver better corporate governance across publicly owned entities.
Let’s hope that this time around, he will also promote real competition in the telecom market – especially now that the AFTA has officially determined that SETAR holds a dominant position. It’s something we’ve all known for years, but successive governments looked the other way, choosing instead to favor the treasury by purchasing services and products almost exclusively from the state-owned provider. That approach may have balanced short-term books, but it came at the expense of innovation, price competitiveness, and consumer choice. The moment is ripe for a reset — and the minister now has both the mandate and the opportunity to make it happen. You may recall my article on the subject last November.
Another key appointment is Mervin Wyatt-Ras, who will take on the role of Minister of Social Affairs, Public Health, Elderly Care, and Addiction Care – one of the most complex and emotionally demanding portfolios in the cabinet. Wyatt-Ras is no newcomer to public service. A trained orthopedagogue, she studied at the University of Groningen and worked for twelve years at the Department of Social Affairs, where she provided psychosocial support and therapy to children, young people, and families facing serious challenges. She also participated in several government commissions on human rights, child welfare, and public health, and has been an active voice in Parliament since 2001, serving twice as its president.
This is a ministry that calls not only for leadership, but for empathy, compassion, and care. The social and health issues facing our community – from mental health to elderly isolation to the rise in addiction – are not abstract problems. They affect real people, in real homes, every day including our elderly and Alzheimer’s patients. These are deeply human issues, and they require a minister who can listen, connect, and act with both heart and discipline.
Wyatt-Ras brings decades of institutional experience and a long-standing connection to Aruba’s most vulnerable. She’ll have her plate full, no doubt – but perhaps it’s exactly that combination of lived public service and deep care for people that makes her the right person for this moment. As a woman in a role that touches the most vulnerable members of our society, she too has the opportunity to be a powerful role model – not just for women, but for the many in our community who need to see that strength and empathy can go hand in hand.
A Familiar Prime Minister with a New Mandate
Mike Eman, LL.M. returns as Prime Minister – a familiar figure at a time when many were calling for new faces. Still, with stability on the line and a delicate coalition to manage, his appointment may make strategic sense. The real question now is how he will lead. If he embraces fiscal discipline, streamlines coordination between ministries, and governs with humility and resolve, he can still write a new chapter in his leadership.
A familiar figure at a time when many were calling for new faces. Still, with stability on the line and a delicate coalition to manage, his appointment may make strategic sense. The real question now is how he will lead. If he embraces fiscal discipline, streamlines coordination between ministries, and governs with humility and resolve, he can still write a new chapter in his leadership. He will also need to actively support the Minister of Finance in taking the bold steps necessary to reduce the cost of an overburdened government payroll and tackle Aruba’s massive public debt. These aren’t easy decisions, but they are unavoidable – and they will require firm backing from the top. Above all, the Prime Minister must stay focused on realistic goals and resist the temptation to chase popularity or get swept up in the media spotlight. Leadership in this moment is not about applause – it’s about action.
With Nature and Culture also housed under the Prime Minister’s portfolio, there’s also an opportunity to elevate Aruba’s cultural identity – not as a sidebar, but as a central pillar of governance. And if AI is going to be part of the future, now is the time to define its purpose in public administration – not as window dressing, but as a real tool for efficiency and reform.
Law degrees galore
Interestingly, five out of the seven ministers in this new cabinet hold law degrees – an impressive concentration of legal minds at the table. Let’s hope they put that education and experience to work for the greater good. Aruba needs ministers who understand not just the letter of the law, but its spirit – and who can apply that knowledge to build fairer institutions, uphold accountability, and steer us toward long-overdue reform.
Everyone Has a Role – Even Those No Longer in Power
While this new cabinet is a welcome start, responsibility doesn’t end with those currently in office. Former ministers and current members of Parliament who served in the previous government also have a duty – to support the country, not sabotage it. Aruba is facing enormous challenges that require serious, collective effort.
This is no time for cheap politics or empty opposition. Criticism is part of democracy – but it must be constructive. Offering ideas, defending good policy, and putting Aruba above party loyalty is how we all move forward. Because if this government succeeds, Aruba succeeds. That should be the goal of anyone who truly cares about the community.
Hope Is Not a Plan – But It’s a Start
Not every recommendation I made was adopted. DIMAS and Social Affairs remain separate. Ceremonial travel budgets haven’t been addressed. And the overall size of government, while smaller, still carries political compromises. But for the first time in a while, there are signs of intentionality. There’s a structure that can work – if the leadership chooses to make it work.
This week, I revisited my proposal for a more effective government and took a closer look at how this new administration aligns with that vision. Some progress has been made. The pieces are on the board. Now it’s about the moves they choose to make.
Let’s keep the conversation going. You can find all my previous columns and listen to the latest podcast episodes at www.lincolngomez.com.
See you next week.
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