Aruba’s Prime Minister Mike Eman says he fully supports ministerial candidate Mike de Meza, who remains under legal scrutiny, and calls for patience as the legal process continues. The case, which involves De Meza being a suspect in an ongoing investigation, has sparked concern and confusion within the community over his potential appointment to the new government cabinet.
Earlier this week, the Public Prosecution Service complied with a court order related to De Meza’s case. While the specifics of the charges have not been made public, De Meza has not yet been cleared, and that has delayed the final formation of Aruba’s new government.
According to Prime Minister Eman, the recent court ruling is a key development. “There’s been a lot of unease in our community due to the lack of clarity around what’s happening with Mike de Meza’s candidacy,” Eman said. “Some people believe the prime minister should take a stronger stand in support of him.”
Why De Meza’s appointment is on hold
De Meza was initially included in the proposed ministerial team, but his name could not be officially submitted due to missing documentation. Later, an additional letter made the situation more complicated. Eman clarified that, by law, he cannot reveal specific details, but emphasized that De Meza has been actively working to clarify his situation.
The new court ruling may offer De Meza the chance to better understand the decisions made about him by various institutions, which could clear the way for his appointment.
No Plan B yet — focus remains on De Meza
When asked whether there is a backup plan in case De Meza cannot be appointed, Eman said there is none—at least not yet. “We want to give De Meza the space he needs. We have full confidence in his qualifications. Of course, we are bound by what the law allows and what it doesn’t. But for now, we must let the process run its course,” he said.
He added that discussing a “Plan B” now would signal a lack of confidence that things can be resolved. “Let’s allow this process to unfold. After that, De Meza and I will decide together what the next step should be.”
High expectations for De Meza’s role
Eman also made clear that De Meza was seen as a key figure in the new cabinet. His background and experience were considered valuable, especially for the portfolios that remain unfilled—such as infrastructure and public utilities.
De Meza has also been working on long-term plans for Aruba’s energy future and the redevelopment of the former refinery area in San Nicolas. “These are topics he has been preparing for extensively. The government is eager to move forward once there is legal clarity,” said Eman.
Community pressure vs. legal limits
Some Arubans believe the prime minister should take a more decisive role and either push forward or step back on De Meza’s appointment. But Eman said his position is complicated by the dual roles he holds: leader of the AVP party and head of government. “As party leader, you go into battle together. But as prime minister, you are bound by what the law prescribes. When there’s no official cabinet formateur, it’s up to the prime minister to handle this—and the law is clear about what a prime minister can and cannot do.”
He acknowledged that people may not fully understand these legal boundaries and that this has caused frustration. “I understand that. I’ve been through this personally, and it’s not a pleasant place to be—standing by your colleagues and friends in both good times and bad.”
Eman emphasizes transparency and fairness
Reflecting on how other AVP politicians have been treated in similar situations, Eman said that unlike other parties or cases where individuals were quickly dismissed, the AVP has not turned its back on its members. “It’s important for the public to understand that in this role, the law defines clearly what I can and cannot do,” he said.
He added that he doesn’t believe anyone in Aruba—least of all Mike de Meza—would want to do anything illegal or outside the boundaries of proper conduct. “Everything I am doing is within the legal and ethical framework,” Eman stated.
