Today November 26, MEP remembers that 34 years ago, the people’s immortal leader, Gilberto François (Betico) Croes passed away in Utrecht (the Netherlands) at the age of 48 and this is 11 months after a tragic accident on December 31, 1985, on the eve of our Status Aparte.
This news, without a doubt, hit the community hard: Our Liberator has died. He constructed the house of Status Aparte for us to live in, he gave us the keys, but he himself did not get the chance to enjoy the freedom he fought so hard for. That is why each year again, on this date, many of us take a moment to reflect on the life of this great statesman, how he fought for us, and everything he achieved. That fills us with more determination to continue the fight to win our autonomy back.
Betico Croes was a statesman, a great patriot, tireless fighter of the people. Few are the politicians in this world that the Almighty has to send to complete a mission based on their special talents. That is who Betico was, a real servant of the people.
A fight dedicated to his people
Since the ’40s of the last Century, Aruba’s people have longed for Aruba to have its own Government in the Dutch Kingdom and special ties with the Netherlands. For many decades different politicians tried to do something with the governmental system that the people of Aruba lived in, but none were able.
In 1971, Betico Croes got the inspiration to start his own political party, Movimiento Electoral di Pueblo (MEP), to bring changes in the governmental structures and to bring a fair distribution in the economic developments. Betico knew that he had to end the existing segregation and bring back union among the Aruban people, where there is no distinction between race, district, religion, nor political party. During this process to unite the Aruban People, Betico was the one behind Aruba’s fight to have its own anthem, flag, spelling, union symbols, freedom, and identity of the Aruba people.
Referendum and Black August
From 1972 until 1985, Betico Croes was the people’s spokesperson and especially on the international platforms. Two of the most determinant actions in the fight for our Status Aparte, lead by our immortal leader, was the advisory Referendum on March 25 and the actions during Black August in 1977. Without these two actions, we cannot speak of an autonomous Aruba in the Dutch Kingdom. Nevertheless, this entire fight’s culmination was during the Round Table Conference in March 1983, where a historic agreement was reached so Aruba could get its Status Aparte. During a 12-year-long fight, from 1971 to 1983, Betico realized the dream that has lived for decades in our people.
Thank you, Betico Croes, for achieving Status Aparte
And incoming January 1st, 1986, we achieved our Status Aparte. Aruba became a country in the Dutch Kingdom with its own Constitution, Government, Parliaments, Central Bank, Governor, Attorney General, own money, etc. Thanks to the economic instrument that came with Status Aparte, our country has developed greatly economically and significantly during the last 34 years.
A special heartfelt thank you to Betico for achieving all of this for his people, for whom he has sacrificed his life with blood, sweat, and tears.
MEP wants to invite you to commemorate with us the death anniversary of our Liberator, Betico Croes. Thursday, November 26, at 6.30 pm, we will be putting a wreath at the Cemetery in Santa Cruz, and at 7:00 pm, there will be a Holy Sacrifice at the Church in Santa Cruz.
Partido MEP ta invita bo pa conmemora hunto cu nos e fecha di aniversario di fayecimento di nos Libertador Betico Croes. Diahuebs 26 di november pa 6.30 pm lo tin ponemento di krans na Santana na Santa Cruz y 7’or di anochi tin un Santo Sacrificio di Misa na Misa na Santa Cruz.
