Pshaw
There seems to exist a political party Movementu Desaroyo Duradero Kòrsou MDDK [movement for sustainable development of CUR], and they propose a law to prevent resort and apartment building along the coast.
Hotels are okay, though, they say, because they give many people steady jobs.
Too late anyway.
2024-11-21

No Matter
An economic bureau in Amsterdam (sorry, don't know which one) has published a study on small developing island states. These are at a disadvantage because of geographic isolation, small populations, and heavy reliance on imported goods and natural resources.
What else is new?
But that doesn't matter to our Great Leaders, AKA Big Bleeders. This way, they have the power and can grab to their hearts' content.
2024-11-21

Transparent Secrecy
Don't ever believe politicians, especially not when they talk about transparency. It's in their blasted genes. Now, Holland refuses access to 23 out of 25 documents relating to the Ennia affair. We have to pay for that debacle during the 30 next years, but we're not allowed to know what exactly for.
Put up and shut up. We're the Stinking Boss!
2024-11-21

Poverty
There's a new definition, aren't you glad? The idea is, if after payment of housing, energy and care not enough rests to pay for basic needs, you're poor. The new poverty rows are mentioned (skipping old farts living on welfare) and they apply to Holland only, anyway. Where the conclusion is, less people live in poverty than was assumed.
Change the definition and you're all set.
How many we have on poverty row here is absolutely unknown by CBS statistics, but SER social-economic council claims almost 17,000 households and 45,000 persons live in poverty, not counting undocumented immigrants. Which amounts to 31% of the population, with some experts claiming 40%.
2024-11-20

Thieves
This time not the government, but the food merchants. While since 2010 general level of goods and services has gone up by 35%, in the same period price of foodstuffs has gone up about twice as much, says the Fair Trade Authority; continuing that it has been 400% for potatoes, fruit and vegetables. Which is much higher than in Aruba.
FTAC blames the import stop of fresh veggies and eggs, and the moratorium on new tokos and minimarkets, which makes the big supermarkets more powerful.
2024-11-20

Was there Ever One?
"The imagined and imaginary 'climate emergency' is at an end." So was "declared and affirmed" by the scientists of international Climate Intelligence Group (Clintel) at the end of the 12-13 climate conference in Prague. Here are their arguments. Judge for yourself who's right here.
But at the end of the failed COP29 conference, UN climate chief Simon Stiell wants to raise 1 trillion dollars for developing countries to cope with global warming. Per year. The nations assembled have to figure out how before Friday.
2024-11-19

Tough for Specialists
The judge has decided that the Country is right: medical specialists do not work in a free market, as their costs are paid out of tax and social insurance premiums. They must therefore conform to the tariffs stipulated by the government.
Or leave and offer their services elsewhere. Which some are doing already.
2024-11-19

I Doubt It
Local entrepreneurs will get a chance to work more efficiently and lower costs at "Gov2Biz & Biz2Biz"—organized by the ministry of economy.
Please don't laugh out loud, it's rude. But the idea that the government will teach us efficiency and how to save money will bring a smile, subtle or not, to many faces.
2024-11-19

Huh
The government, Regulatory Authority of Curaçao (RAC), is organizing an exclusive "Masterclass Upgrading Journalistiek" for journalists and news makers, in cooperation with VVRP ministry (Bolo Mudbelly Cooper) and Curaçao UNESCO. Sounds good huh? Or maybe really not so great? The mediamakers will thus "develop their knowledge and capabilities."
All under the watchful eye of the government, of course.
2024-11-19

Clean Klein Curaçao
The island has been cleaned up by 100 volunteers, who collected 302 bags with each 55 gallons of rubbish. Not only from the North side (for which at least we can't be blamed, as we routinely are for our own coast without explaining how we managed that) but also from the sea and the island itself. Who put it there? Answer: can only be tourists and/or the folks who get 'em there.
That's 16,110 gallons or 63m^3. We're not told how long ago the last cleaning action was.
(Maybe all bags weren't filled to the brink, I admit).
2024-11-18

Obviously
Nobody working in the government likes work; okay, maybe some do. But it explains that the new law on "afvalstoffenbelasting en reinigingsrechten" [waste tax and cleaning rights] dating from 2020, last June has been presented to parliament without any changes. Even while SER social-economic council advised on it in 2021.
The proposed law includes lowering the Malpais landfill tariffs and higher fines for illegal trash dumping.
2024-11-18

Hold Him
Martines's arrest has been lengthened again, now with 16 days, despite his lawyers' request he'd be freed. No way, said the judge: he's suspected of drug dealing during 2019, 2020 and 2023., preparing drug transports and money laundering.
You think he took a holiday in 2021 and 2022? I don't.
2024-11-18

Took Seven Years
The St. Maarten airport has finally been restored completely, after it had been destructed by hurricane Irma. It has cost €200 million to build a new one that's supposed to survive another one. We'll have to see about that; or, hopefully, not.
2024-11-18

We're Saved!
Indie MP Djaoen-Genaro (ex-PNP) has joined the Gang of [no descriptive word to avoid a complaint for defamation, but you're free to fill in for yourself] so the coalition has a 12 seat majority in parliament.
She says she has held a poll among 396 younger folks, of whom 200 expressed a wish for earlier elections. Which is a clear if small majority, so she interprets it as, many people don't want earlier elections.
Go on grabbing while you can. Elections March 21.
2024-11-17

Let Them Die
In traffic this week, happened to get behind a touring minibus. That's a big word, though. In fact, it was a regular pick-up truck with a fixed roof (no windows, just open) and two benches along each side, where 4 or 6 people sat facing each other, instead of looking out at the landscape.
Worst, while we get fined when a passenger doesn't wear a safety belt, none was visible in that truck. Who cares if they're thrown out in an accident? They're just tourist meat.
2024-11-17

Will It End Now?
New discussions about Curaçao's new "emblem" as it's now called. Indeed, coat-of-arms is a much too honorable term. The ridiculous and plagiarized winning design is still in the running; if it's finally discarded, we'll stick with the present one (which most people have no problem with); or a "select group of designers" will be invited to design another new one. The council of ministers has a final say in that.
I still have no idea if the winner of that awful design has had her prize paid out, but I suspect she has received it.
2024-11-16

Brain Drain Stop
In an effort to get students back here after they've finished their studies, the government tries to lure them with extravagant promises. "Strewing money" Antilliaans Dagblad calls it, and that's no exaggeration. If they choose for a Spoiled Brat job, they get up to 101,000 guilders in the form of study debt remission, an advance for buying a car to an allowance for housing cots.
After all, we have plenty of money!
Too bad, as Antilliaans Dagblad remarks, there's no money for children's resorts, elderly care, education, SVB social insurance, CMC hospital, which all must be paid from those taxes that are collected. We need yet more Soiled Rats! And budgets? Who cares about budgets! Not Silly Bully.
2024-11-16

What's Going On?
Now we get to read that KEM's Martines has submitted his resignation to parliament, so Godett is free to follow him up in the Gang of Crooks AKA our government. Only yesterday (Friday!), Martines had not resigned.
2024-11-16

Yeah, Figures
People living around Baoase Luxury Resort are complaining that the original design for a pier as a wave breaker has not been executed; instead it "looks more like a fully developed island." Judging from the air photograph in Curaçao Chronicle they have a very good point. But the owner says it's only temporary and besides, he has all necessary permits. (So shut up.)
I bet he indeed has them.
2024-11-16

Locked Him Up
KEM's Martines got 8 more days in the calaboose. And his resignation has not arrived in parliament yet; so Godett and Pias have to wait a bit.
One day later we read it has arr9ived all right.
2024-11-15

One More Joins the Fray
Hope for 'em Free for All doesn't turn out to be a Free Fall. Businessman Gilbert Ricardo has started a new party Mihó Kòrsow [Better CUR]. He thinks we haven't had a leader for all these years, and plans to fill that vacuum. Economic development and education are his spear points, combined with a better relation with the Kingdom.
That at least sounds okay. But... Wait and see.
2024-11-15

Taxi Drivers Don't Like It
There's a new arrangement proposal, allowing companies to exploit multiple taxis. But the drivers who own and operate a single taxi are protesting, because it may force them to lower their prices.
Never!
2024-11-15

One More Trick
The government needs money, and they're gonna get it. Now, they started to charge import duties on diplomas sent to Curazoleños who followed a (correspondence?) course at foreign universities. Turns out after a fight, those duties are illegal.
Nice try.
2024-11-15

Let's Throw a Party!
Martines is out, so after 12 years Godett is back in Parliament (I didn't miss him for one second). The reason it took so long for Martines to get out, the judge ordered him to have contacts with almost nobody, so he could only resign after that was cancelled.
In Holland, VVD party wants a more stringent approach to corruption and criminality on the islands. This after the arrests of Arubian Croes and Martines. Made 'em sit up and take notice, finally?
2024-11-15

Remarkable
In Argentina, until the election victory of "populist" Milei, inflation was 209% before he took office, a year ago. Last month it was 2.7%.
Here, 3.3%. Just saying.
2024-11-14

Two Down, Umpteen to Go
Now the court has declared bankruptcy for Blockdance and Smallhouse; both for being unable "to meet their financial obligations to players." At least, they may be after having transferred their money to safer venues.
Claims unpaid are for $1,482,162.10, $680,000 and $10,948.50. The bankruptcy opens the possiblity for players to claim their money through bankruptcy proceedings.
2024-11-14

Have Fun, Will Travel
PNP Mercelino has proposed himself as a candidate as Parlatino head. Ho boy, he'd be great!
Jesus-Leito and PAR's Girogorie will go to the so-called Interexpo to celebrate 70 years of Statuut.
2024-11-14

Who Cares
The advisor has serious objections against the proposed members of the Petroleumraad/Petrol Council. No problem mon; that would confirm, to our esteemed Bleaders, that they're picking just the right persons. For them they're right, I mean.
2024-11-14

Good Riddance? Not So Fast
KEM Martines has given up his parliament seat, which leaves M*F*K free to choose a replacement. No problem, Godett is ready and willing! After all, he's an ex-convict himself.
2024-11-14

Wide Support
For a theater in Punda in the present post office, we read. Get me right, I'm not against it: I just wonder if the location is really suitable for building a theater. Just meaning the technical building problems.
2024-11-13

Motions Have Consequences?
Dutch parliament has voted for a motion on "how to supervise the supervision of the Curaçao gambling sector and further intertwining between the under- and over world." Quite a mouthful; leave it to parliamentarians.
The Dutch government is now requested to start discussions with the country of Curaçao on this, which should also improve the integrity of the local government.
M*F*K and KEM won't like all that one bit. Good—as long as it has some results in practice.
Other motions voted for are, how to limit the drugs transport and human trafficking CUR-NL.
2024-11-13

Bethèsda Bust
Former director of the nursing home-care institution explains what's the problem: salaries are 94% of running costs, which leaves a paltry 6% for intensive care.
The institute has a contract with SVB social insurance which hasn't changed since 2012, while comparable institutions have got higher fees since. The low tariffs are the problem.
The government retroactively granted extramoney over the past 2 years, butt "it's impossible to spend money retroactively," says the ex-director. Bethèsda has to spend 2 million in 6 months, which means thorough research into the consequences is impossible.
2024-11-13

No, Not So
MAN has a good question on the new LOK gambling law: does it guarantee that there will be money flowing into the state's coffers instead of private companies?
No, it does not.
2024-11-13

Keep It Up
See where it gets you. Just now the Dutch appeals court has thrown out the Milieudefensie [Environmental Defense] case against Shell Oil, where Shell was obliged to limit its CO₂ with 45% by 2030, in Bonaire now a Greenpeace case starts against the State of the Netherlands: it must do more to protect the island against (in my opinion vague and quite possible non-existing) climate change risks.
Rule expected in 2026.
2024-11-13

But Who? And Why?
Kabouterbos, a popular natural recreation spot, has been vandalized. Paths have been widened by a bulldozer, trees have been uprooted and the entrance has been obstructed by a pile of earth.
Nobody seems to know whodunnit, let alone why. Which also is pretty outrageous.
2024-11-12

Who's Next?
Finance minister Silly Bully has filed a complaint against TV Direct because in a program "offensive language, false and unfounded claims, and allegations against his person as a minister" were uttered. The station has apologized (only after the complaint had been filed, though).
2024-11-12

Well, It's in Style
PAR party is angry because M*F*K PM Prick Pias doesn't want to pin his government down to throw in the towel if KEM's Martines refuses to give up his Staten membership after being arrested for alleged drug dealing and money laundering.
PAR criticizes Pias's "moral compass." Not that he has any.
M*F*K will officially explain their position today. The coalition still has a, very slim, majority in parliament: 11 of 21.
2024-11-12

Yes, How Come?
Party MAN asks the government why in the past 4 years there was enough money to raise the prison budget, to buy Campo Alegre, and to condone 3 billion in taxes; but there's no money now to support "Boys' Town" Brakkeput.
In fact, it's quite simple; it's because of all of those expensive bad jokes. So there's your answer. As if you didn't know already.
2024-11-12

Hurry, Silly Bully!
The finance minister wants to get his gambling law through parliament fast. Because, he explains, this is of most importance as Dutch parliament will vote tomorrow on starting stricter regulations and supervision of the Curaçao gambling sector.
Silly Bully thinks his LOK law will help in the Mutual Evaluation process; to comply with international norms of integrity and crime fighting.
Until now, it looks like it will work the other way around. Even looks like that's the intention.
2024-11-11

Easy to Follow
Despite the problems with the coalition since KEM's Martines has been arrested for drug dealing and money laundering, the government is not interested in early elections. Small wonder: they'd fall flat on their fat asses now.
Not that I can see better people to replace them with. Don't trust any of 'em.
2024-11-09

Nize
Aqualectra has started installing Christmas lights. Ain't that cute. Just what we needed.
2024-11-09

Yeah. Sure.
There have been complaints about the infamous buildings arising near Piscadera. This time not about the buildings (all to no avail) but about the mosquito plague for which a dammed part of the lagoon is blamed. The builder says it's not their fault, what else? But biologist Seferina tells Antilliaans Dagblad that such places should be checked for mosquito larvae 2 or 3 times per week; which has not been done. So there.
It's also mentioned Seferina last year has been suspended from her function at health dept. No reason given. Interesting... that's M*F*K PM Prick Pias and minister Silly Bully's cup of tea.
2024-11-09

Hope It's True
The criminal "No Limits Soldiers" group, which among other things is held responsible for the Helmin Wiels murder and grew rich and powerful on cocaine-dealing to Europe, is weakened by the arrest of its leaders and its future is "unsure". Maybe some progress is made here. Finally.
2024-11-09

Got It
Now 20.600 signatures have been collected on the rape of Lagun Beach. That's 17.7% of registered voters.
Small wonder they don't want early elections.
2024-11-09

Still Worse
To quote: "The USPS is so upside down that they charge customers to rent post office boxes, relieving the service of having to fund deliveries." That's in the USA, of course.
We here still get our "community boxes" free of charge. As long as that lasts.
2024-11-09

Here's Your Chance, Godett!
KEM Martines's detention has been extended, so maybe we'll have a convicted felon back in the government soon. He'll fit in there just fine.
2024-11-08

Not for Them!
The top of Curoil wants to raise their salaries without keeping to the LNT norm, where they're not supposed to earn more than the PM. While as for me, I think anybody should earn more than Pias, I can only agree with SBTNO that Curoil should have done some research first. Now, you get the idea that they just went ahead and grabbed more.
After all, the law says that the norm should be kept to. The medical professionals did follow the proper procedure when protesting the law.
2024-11-08

Yes. We Know
Many students who went to Holland for continued studies get into serious problems because they just don't understand Dutch. Which is because since many years Papiamento a bai skol [Papiamento went to school]. Which of course in itself is a good thing; only, the reality is that much professional info just isn't available in that language and in all probability will never be. And without reckoning with that, there you are—or go.
2024-11-08

Postponed Again
At the request of M*F*K PM Pias, the parliament meeting on the "development" of our beaches has been postponed again. Until November 21st, because the government is "working on a plan."
Better if they'd done that first. Much better; but knowing them, too much to expect.
2024-11-08

But Will We They?
The Dutch parliament wants Curaçao to strengthen the gambling regulations. (What finance minister Silly Bully calls "gaming.") Because, to quote Curaçao Chronicle quoting them, "there are links between criminal organizations and legitimate businesses, posing risks to the integrity of public administration." Hear, hear.
2024-11-08

Now that You Mention It
Every entrepreneur is obliged to submit his OB sales tax declaration before the 15th of the month. Or Else! So Antilliaans Dagblad asks, how is it possible that some companies are 9 years behind?
The answer is easy when you consider our Tax Person.
2024-11-07

What Else? Who Else [BIS]?
Now that KEM's Martines has been arrested, his party is waiting for the end of his detainment. If and when. If and when not, Anthony Godett is willing to take his place in the M*F*K coalition. Who else? He'll feel right at home there.
Comments Godett, Martines has been arrested because he champions the poor people; just like in the past happened to Ben Komproe, Gerrit Schotte, Jacintha Constancia and Anthony Godett he himself.
KEM got lawyer Sulvaran, AKA as Peppi, partner-of-Kokki the clown, to work on Martines's case. Who else?
PAR's Girigorie wants PM Pias to make a statement. As if that would mean anything. "The integrity of our nation is being tested." Not so much to test, is there?
Depending on the judge, detainment can last for 48 hours, which can be lengthened to 60 days.
2024-11-07

Good!
Guess what I think is so.
We need people like Bolsonaro, Milei and so on. Here, we need them; urgently.
You don't like it, you know where you can put it.
2024-11-06

Nice...
Martines is also suspected of drug dealing. No surprise; goes hand in hand with money laundering. No comment yet from our Bleeders, "it's too soon." One understands they have to think this over.
Would be a good man to help set-up the new Campo Alegre.
2024-11-06

Do Tell Us
AVMT Association of Real Estate Agents and Property Taxation claims that 95% of property tax assessments are "inaccurate." Betcha they're much too high. Secretary Salas says "appraisers should base their evaluations on actual values rather than assumptions" and accuses them of "lack of ethics."
We've had our troubles with that outfit; their last appraisal suddenly was 4 times the value of the one before that. When we went to court the Tax Person retracted the appraisal, just like that.
2024-11-06

Get. Lost.
The "ridiculous plan" for floating wind turbines before the coast of Maine has been stopped by the US Department of Transportation. "Ratepayers would have to pay 50% more for the electricity they produce than fixed wind turbines, which are expensive enough already."
Take that, Ramon. And Aqualectra.
2024-11-05

Almost there
KEM MP Martines, or at least a person with the initials M.M., has been arrested again, for alleged money laundering.
Alas, the M*F*K government still has a majority in parliament, be it ever so small.
2024-11-05

That's What He Says
Finance minister Silly Bully denies MAN/PIN's allegations that Curaçao had a budget deficit in the years 2022/3. It was a surplus! he says.
Who knows? My guess is, Silly Bully doesn't know himself.
2024-11-05

Here's One More
The uncollected tax debts are 150% of the yearly tax and premium income. The generally accepted norm is 40%. Good huh?
And better yet: it's still growing!
When Silly Bully took on the ministry, his prime target was to collect more taxes. He blames the payers who just don't pay.
2024-11-05

Not Funny
Ten years ago, we already had an investigation into corruption by Transparency International. The public sector and political parties (it's the same thing) were pointed out as weak links. Big surprise.
Dint make no difference, mon.
Only Ombudsman and ARC auditing are relatively solid; too bad nobody listens to them.
2024-11-04

Go Figure
One of the candidate ministers in the Pias cabinet has passed screening. But that's only half the story; PM Pias himself claims he hasn't. Yet. Name, Martines of KEM party. Antilliaans Dagblad wonders if we'll ever learn the truth here.
2024-11-04

Try, Try Again. And Again.
In October 2017, after Amigu di Tera had protested against the ruination of a remaining natural area near Jan Thiel, development of "Puerto Oasis" was stopped. In 2018 the terrain was sold to a still unknown party.
Who now announced the start of another project there of 258 vacation houses on 7 ha (17 acres), which gives every house an area of 16.5x16.5m^2 (54x54ft). Not counting roads, right. Cozy, huh? The name "Pods Resorts" seems well-chosen.
2024-11-04

You Bet
The "carabirization" (if I got that word right, so kick me) of justice depends on the quality of education. Figures. So let's keep importing Dutchies who at least know what they're talking about, even if we don't always agree with them.
For the foreseeable future. We're stuck in a pit.
2024-11-03

Heretic
Is what I am. In spite of all those guys in the media who keep telling us what a good-for-nothing loudmouth Trump is, I can't help wishing we had a guy like that around. Or like Argentina's Milei. Noooo... these just are not "decent politicians." As if that's not a contradiction in terms.
Here's one more example. Isn't that exactly what we need here?
2024-11-03

Big Boom!
In Fredericktown, Missouri USA, a lithium battery plant has blown up. Exploded. "The local sheriff and fire department issued an immediate evacuation order for everyone in the area." The building is reported to have a "super-duper fire detection and suppression system." Didn't help much...
I still don't know where that great plan for a lithium-ion battery plant here is located. Info is scarce. Maybe for good reasons; which may turn out to be not-so-good after all.
2024-11-02

Makes You Wonder what those Lawyers Earn
They argue, while speaking for the government against the medical specialist who want more money, that a salary of 55,000 guilders/month is outrageous and "not socially acceptable any more."
Fat lot of use pointing out that the ministers' and MPs' salaries are not socially acceptable. And never were.
2024-11-02

We're Rich
All of a sudden... The costs for passengers using Hato terminals have been lowered. They won't notice, as the airlines hide it in the ticket price.
You wouldn't notice much anyway, as the price you pay for safety is lowered by $1.22; for passenger facilities use to BON and SXM $15, other destinations by $12; transfer passengers pay $10 less. Landing rights go down from $8.79 to $7.59.
I don't know a thing, sure, is why I can't understand why safety measures for flying to SXM or BON would cost less than for other destinations. Also, the announcement leaves me to guess that landing fees would apply to the aircraft's weight per kilo, or it's pure madness.
2024-11-02

Will that Help?
Not one bit, we may fear. Mr. Sybesma writes in Amigoe that all beaches are the country's property, and you need a law to start changing anything to them. Which hasn't been voted in; not even building permits have been granted in the recent scandals.
So we'll change the law, already. Friday afternoon in parliament is a good time for that.
2024-11-02

It's Official Now
NOAA projected earlier in the year that there was an 85% chance of an above average year of hurricanes, with 17-25 named storms occurring. "The Hurricane Season from Hell!"
While there is a miserably small chance of November hurricanes left, there have been only 15 named storms the past season.
In fact, 25-30 named storms were predicted.
2024-11-01

They Like Shade
Curaçao Chronicle carries an article about all those shady deals made by and with Isla Refinery, and don't forget our government is complicit, in looking for a refinery take-over. In connection with the recent arrest of Pedro Tellechea Ruiz, Venezuela's former oil minister.
Mentioned is Caribbean Petroleum Refinery (CPR) with its history of fraudulent documents. But it's all hushed up by our Bleeders.
Says Curaçao Chronicle, "It's time for our government to stop making reckless deals and start showing the people of Curaçao that they can be trusted to act with integrity." But they won't, because they can't. It's as big a bunch of "untrustworthy actors" and "crooks" as those gangs they like to deal with.
2024-11-01

Shameful
Those government consultants, who are well-known for receiving outrageous fees for their hopefully valuable advices, as from next year must submit annual proof of their tax compliance. If not, they will not receive further government payments.
I'm sure they all tremble in their boots.
2024-11-01

Do It
Finance minister Silvania announces companies which have been delinquent in tax payments will be closed down before this year's end. In several cases we've seen in the past these debts run up to millions of guilders, and we here wondering how this is possible.
If you pay up somewhere, it is. I guess.
2024-10-31

Guidelines
RC audit chamber provided guidelines to parliament, to strengthen parliamentary oversight of government entities. Sure, is what we really need.
Now to apply them.
In the past, all too often ARC's recommendations were hardly looked at.
2024-10-31

The Sky's the Limit
To quote one of our blasted Bleeders. Last month, inflation went up to 3.3%.
2024-10-31

Not So
SBTNO (some government entity) is against waiving FKP's obligation to present accountant's reports. So somebodies are doing their jobs, kudos.
2024-10-31

Hope for the Best
The government has started construction of more facilities at Kleine Knip beach. Let us watch it, which I'm sure many people and organizations will do carefully, after the brutal interventions, to use a polite word, at Lagun and Jeremi.
ProMo monument fund has meanwhile expressed their disgust about the improved changed Lagun plans, and asks out loud if we may please know what non-government instances have had a say in that "work group".
What the ministers claim that for wooden constructions no building permit is needed is just pure bull manure.
The number of petition signatures has meanwhile grown to 20,600.
2024-10-31

He Does, Does He?
M*F*K finance minister Silly Bully wants an end put to MAN-PIN's "manipulation." He's described as "outraged"! They had the temerity, the audacity, the chutzpah to criticize the budget reports of past years.
Who's manipulating here?
2024-10-30

No More Money Waste
Kinderoord Brakkeput, formerly Boys' Town, is forced to close down or at least limit its activities. The kids in there from now on will get only BBB: Bed, Breakfast and Bath, while their necessary support for psychological and social needs is discontinued. This because the government's subsidy has been halved since 2018 from 1.8 to .9million per year.
After all, let's be reasonable: that money is needed to pay our Soiled Rats. First things first.
2024-10-30

Same Story
Curaçao and Sint Maarten have not complied with Rft [kingdom law financial supervision], which means that they could have been acting just as they wanted to. And as we know, that's what they did. For fourteen years.
Now "the" evaluation committee has concluded this. Question: why did it take so long before they did their work? To discover only now that such a committee existed!
Gee, I wonder how much those committee members were paid.
2024-10-29

Block the Easy Way Out
It's proposed that, instead of a dearly needed accountant's control, FKP social housing will get a samenstellingsopdracht [composition assignment] which is just a report based on existing administration, without any checking of the figures.
This is against the law which stipulates that accountants have to check FKP's administration every year. The last year over which this actually happened was 2014.
24-10-29

Differences
While finance minister Silly Bully agrees with the conditions for a new set of supporting measures for CMC, the new hospital's management does not.
Looks like what's called an impasse.
For one thing, while Silly Bully talks about an MRI-scanner, CMC says what's meant is a linear accelerator, something quite different. Between you and me, I'd say CMC knows much better than that... words fail me. Maybe for the best.
2024-10-29

One More Joins the Fray
New political party Mihó Kòrsow, registered by former PNP and MAN member Ricardo. Best of luck.
2024-10-29

Bull
The crocodile which popped up, or under, in Bonaire's Lac has been caught. It died before it could be delivered at a vet's. Stinapa nature friends can well say that it has been done professionally, but judging from the photos people who are angry about that are right. Just like the cruel custom with caught iguanas, the animals legs were bound by bending them over its back. Small wonder if it died of stress.
Shame on you, Stinapa!
2024-10-29

Is What You Get
Now that we finally have parking meters again, the result is people downtown complain cars are parked everywhere they see a chance, to avoid paying. Resulting in obstructions in small alleys. (The fire dept's problems in case there's a fire are not mentioned, but I do.)
People also complain those cars are driving at much too high speeds, and PAR MP Pauletta asks the government what should be done about that. As far as I know, the max speed in Willemstad is 20kms/hr since way back when. So fine them, already. Gives the cops something to do.
Not that you can drive any faster elsewhere but in those narrow alleys.
Which leads us to another complaint: with all those constructions downtown, traffic snarls get more and more common and will remain so after construction is finished. Just building up new hotels and resorts in those congested parts of town, essentially planned and built in the 18th century, inevitably leads to that. Think about that, Cooper—that is, if you know how to use what you have for brains.
Paulette asks Cooper if he has a plan to avoid these problems. I can tell you right now, Paulette: the answer is NO.
2024-10-29

Oh Well, as Usual
Amigoe letter-writer Curtley Perez, an accountant, quite gently points out that finance minister Silly Bully is a dirty freaking bloody liar by claiming that the 2022 and 2023 budgets showed a surplus. Al contrali, they showed a deficit. Silly Bully should justify his unjustified expenditures in the public sector, says Perez.
But he won't.
2024-10-28

Live in Luxury
... So pay. If I had a house there, I'd be sure to go bankrupt and many of those who do are getting to be sorry. It's Coral Estate, which seems to have a homeowners' association management that resembles our government. They just raised the annual membership fee from 4000 to 6500 guilders, just like that. With a 3% raise per year, by 2034 it will be 8481.
Then, the management is building infrastructure (for more houses and another hotel) in areas that were supposed to remain green, for which present home-owners are supposed to cough up 13 million.
But that resemblance is not surprising: the place is owned and managed by APC pension fund.
2024-10-28

Pity I'm No Horse
Then, I could give finance minister Silly Bully the horse's laugh. Now, the best I can do is shake my head. Antilliaans Dagblad quotes him saying that the Dutch do exactly the same as he did in forgiving the tax debts. For F&Fs. Only, as AD remarks, there it's 11,500 cases out of 18 million people versus here 80,000 out of say 150,000. And the total amount there is max €11 million, while here we're talking €1.5 billion.
These guys really despise you, voter. They think you're stupid and obtuse; and, judging from the voting results, they have a very good point.
2024-10-28

Good Thing I'm Here Already
Well, maybe... Hato Airport is so filled with all those &$#@ tourists, it's over capacity. All airlines will get one terminal less, which "deploys the capacity more efficiently." Translation, there are not enough of them available. And we're not told it in these words, but the waiting lines are so long they stretch out of the doors, where "extra personnel will take care of a better flow." And not to worry, they'll get extra shade.
2024-10-28

Oh, Just Fine
Leave it to them: "Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed on Thursday to fight Western nations and 'Zionism' alongside Venezuela's socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro." Tough shit that the Israel Air Force bombed the crap out of Teheran just two nights later.
You really should read the linked article to appreciate the lying hypocrisy: "Despite the Zionist regime's intention to provoke the Islamic Republic of Iran into war, we exercised restraint in response to violations of Iran's sovereignty, with the goal of advancing and concluding ceasefire negotiations [between Israel and Palestine]." Sadly, I know several people here who will swallow this vomit; but my impression is, the general trend is they see through that Shit Curtain.
After all, what can you call us but "a Western nation"?
2024-10-26

Translation?
I can only guess Pias's words "No permit is needed for wooden constructions" means, no permit was asked for the concrete floor/foundation, for let alone granted.
2024-10-26

What a Farce
After the so-called work group on Lagun beach was installed by M*F*K PM Prick Pias, the plans now have been changed all right. That's quick! The concrete floor will remain (for as long as it lasts), but instead of the concrete bar/snack a wooden structure will be built. And palapas, to be sure. No permit is needed for wooden constructions, say Pias.
That's good to know, at least.
The entrance will now sport boat contours (like this one?), a wooden steering wheel and an anchor. I can't wait to see it.
I guess that "no permit is needed" sort of proves that none was given.
2024-10-26

They're Welcome
Transparency International will map the corruption in Curaçao, Aruba, Sint Maarten, and the BES islands. They have their work cut out for them. Dutch minister Szabó expects to see results within a year. Which seems very little time to me.
Dutch parliament is all for it, sure; those here haven't been asked, I guess.
Dutch PVV minister Szabó is still waiting for the go-ahead. So are we.
2024-10-25

It's a Plan
There's a solution (maybe) for those who haven't been able their water and electricity bills and have been disconnected. The government (you and I) will pay 50% of their debts; Aqualectra utility 25%, and the remaining 25% they must cough up themselves.
Next question being, how many can't or won't, and what happens to them.
2024-10-25

That's Fun!
Last Monday, Mijal Gur-Aryeh, Israeli Ambassador to Costa Rica claimed that Hezbollah and other Iranian radical groups have established bases in Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. And I think she's quite right; in fact, we have known this long since.
Oh what a fine neighborhood we live in. But let's get rid of Dutch colonialism and their Navy harbor!
2024-10-24

Who Cares?
Yet another study joins what's by now a long range of research showing that wind turbines omit low vibrations, which we can't even hear, but which are bad for our health. Mental health.
Instead of taking heed, our oh-so-advanced leaders keep installing more and larger ones.
2024-10-24

Sounds Good
The people would be much better served with measures to reduce poverty, improve education and all that than with money spent on remembering the slavery times, is the thought expressed by Dutch PVV parliamentarian van Haasen. And who could possibly disagree with that?
2024-10-24

Oh So Smart
The new parking meters, for which we've been waiting for years and years, are a flop. First, you can only pay cash in (now, still) Antillian guilders. Many tourists, especially from the USA, don't even take the trouble to exchange dollars when they come in. So they have to use an app—which, it turns out, costs you 10% extra to pay with.
Credit/debit cards are not accepted.
What nitwit thought this up?
You may not like that mentality of USA tourists, but face it: it's you want them to come over.
2024-10-24

Get It?
There are still dreams galore about Curaçao being able to feed its own population. It's just totally impossible, okay? It's (almost) the same as expecting New York, Paris or Amsterdam to do so. It would ask for a miracle.
That doesn't mean some of it can't be produced locally: it can and it is.
But the present resurgence of the idea, now with EEC subsidies, is doomed to failure.
2024-10-24

Not Here
Argentina "populist" president Javier Milei got rid of the entire tax department there. 80% of its budget was spent on salaries. For themselves, I guess. Here, a large part goes to the other spoiled brats.
In fact, it will be "restructured" which includes firing over 3000 personnel, and slashing "higher-level positions by 45 percent and lower-level positions by 30 percent," while also reducing senior officials' salaries, to quote Bloomberg Línea. Will save $6.4 million per year.
Hey, we suckers here can dream, can't we?
Once again: a "populist" does what the people voted him in for (tsss... can't have that); a "responsible politician" promises that and then does something else.
2024-10-23

Dump For Free
The free access to Malpais landfill will be continued until end 2025. Wow! will all that illegal trash dumping now magically stop?
Don't count on it.
Originally, it was supposed to last for two months.
2024-10-23

It's Our Your Culture!
Dutch parliament had a discussion about the troublesome corruption that keeps going on in the Dutch Caribbean. (Not a word about how that's helped and promoted by Dutch government members.)They think it's unacceptable, even as a part of Our Culture—which it is, of course.
I seem to remember having read somewhere, long ago, that the people working for WIC West-Indian Company (in those times in fact our government) were deliberately underpaid as it was figured they would get their money elsewhere. And they did. You get what you sow.
Now parliament wants better controls. We can only hope that works out.
2024-10-23

Sorry (?) But No
FKP social housing invited parliament members to go and visit Santo Domingo to have a look at housing project Ciudad Juan Bosch over there, containing 25,000 "affordable" houses. (Doesn't say what's the criterium for that adjective.) Anyway, parliament declined: there's no money.
2024-10-23

Go Figure
The former Venezuelan oil minister as been arrested because of the RdK investigation. I confess that can't make head or tail out of this. The only idea that occurs to me is, even while he as head of PdVSA fucked us out of umpteen millions, he must have stuck like glue to a large part of that.
2024-10-22

Look Who's Talking
The same guys who are always telling us how to arrange our finances: The World Bank. Between 2017 and 2013, they've lost only 41 billion dollars in funds distributed to climate causes. These are "unaccounted for due to poor accounting standards." It's a bagatelle, a mere 70% of the total funds. Nobody has an inkling of where it went.
Would almost make you feel better about our local thieves residing in Ali Baba's cavern. Almost.
2024-10-22

No Details; Look It Up
Just an article on the Cost of Hydrogen Storage. In other countries, use is made of old salt mines, which we don't have any of. Even then, the cost is one "of the many issues that make this 'green' hydrogen fantasy infeasible."
No reaction from Ramon Chong expected, nor needed.
2024-10-22

Spare Us
Antilliaans Dagblad publishes an article by finance minister Silly Bully about what the Dutch think about his tax measures. You guessed right: the Dutch got it all wrong.
AD comments they decided to publish the article integrally as helping us to form our opinion. Well, I had one and it hasn't changed, thank you very much.
2024-10-22

Empty Promises
The people living in Rio Canario should be used to it, but somehow didn't catch on. They've written a letter to Bolo Mudbelly to ask when they'll get their "large shadow trees" back, after four years ago they were cut down by some guy running a sports school, to get more parking space.
Talk about continuity: it was PAR who promised, not Bolo. But some things are continuous, no matter who's in power; right?
2024-10-22

Warda un Rato
"Wait a bit..." the Lagun fishers are convinced that the beach "improvement" will disappear by natural attacks coming from the sea. Quite possible they're right. Only, it may take much longer then we're willing to wait. They predict 5 years, but I must seriously doubt it.
We can only hope they're right. That money is gone anyway. Grand Cayman... Switzerland... Plenty more where they came from went.
2024-10-21

Utter Nonsense
Archaeologists have discovered radiocarboned remains near Rif-St. Marie (as long as they're not covered up yet by our government's wish for Development), which set the date of earliest habitation to 5735-5600 ago. Sure, why not?
But then follows a completely ridiculous story on the geological history of the island. 1.5 million years ago, we're told, it originated near the Galápagos, and then magically if slowly moved to its present location "near Panamá." Huh? How the hell did it manage to cross the Isthmus? Climb, I have to guess. Wild guess, yeah.
2024-10-21

Not Ideal
APC pension find will pay 0.7% more to the penshonados. Which is only part of the indexing: inflation has been more than that. But APC's coverage per end 2023 was only 107.9%, which makes total indexing allowable; should be 115% for that. In 2022 it was even less, 103.7%.
And we being told all the time APC is doing so fine! More lies, you have to presume.
But the spoiled brats' indexing goes on as required. We're used to that.
2024-10-21

12.5%
That's how much the spoiled brats will get more (back) in salary. For us voting cattle, not so much. We only pay for it.
2024-10-21

Try and Tell Them So
The Statuut works fine, but the voters must vote responsibly, Amigoe's Mahatma Martinus thinks. You know, he may be right.
2024-10-20

Done Deal
The questions about the beach affair, planned in parliament on October 24, will be moved to November 7. By then it's probably much too late to stop the plans.
2024-10-20

Did It Hurt?
I guess. Parliament has decided to send 2 delegates to the Statuut's 70 years' celebration at the Interexpo, den Haag. Some brightie came with the idea to send 4 instead; what for, parliament didn't seem to understand rightly. Besides, there's no money; or so they said.
2024-10-20

No What
The Dutch government has canceled the "sustainability" subsidy for the Caribbean islands. Which ends, for now, the EV buses program, even if the Fat Toad may think of a way to go on regardless, and hopefully the hydrogen pipe-dream-nightmare of Ramon Chong (and others).
2024-10-19

Goodbye
Cyberluck has now been declared bankrupt.
The gambling industry is all worried. This will have severe effects. Good.
2024-10-19

Doesn't Help—Enough
Since Malpais landfill became free of charge, illegal trash dumping has gone down a bit. But it's still going on; and when that free period ends, people living around those dumps fear the worst.
2024-10-18

Their Cyberluck Ran Out
SBGOK foundation to help victims of online gambling wants Cyberluck to be declared bankrupt now. The club of mafiosi just doesn't pay out its debts, totalling many millions of dollars.
In fact, its license expired last month but who cares? The sub-licensees (illegal in the first place) just go on operating.
2024-10-18

Yes, We Know
That consumers' prices went up the past year. Now we know by how much: 3.3%.
CBS statistics wants pensions, salaries and welfare payments to go up so people's purchasing power will remain the same. From what I remember from Economy lessons, that will lead to even more inflation.
2024-10-18

Good? For Them
The work conditions for the Spoiled Brats are back at the pre-Covid 2021 level. Since then, the poor babies have made sacrifices to show their solidarity in those difficult times.
Oh yeah? I must have been fooled somehow.
Teachers' union SITEK agrees. Will wonders never cease?
2024-10-18

Can't Wait
We'll have a new Sales Tax (OB) system by 2026. It has been in the making for years now, but there's no easy private money to be made, so there's no hurry.
What will change is not clear at all, yet. Betcha it will go all up.
2024-10-18

That Will Help—NOT
Parliament will hold a meeting on the Beach Scandal. As if that will change a thing.
I didn't put it this clearly before, but it's all a waste. Of course the bribes have been paid and the contractor must therefore go ahead. No way out.
2024-10-18

One More
Poor Silly Bully. Nobody seems to like him; except of course Friends&Family. Now it's Dutch State Secretary Szabó who criticizes his decision to eliminate old tax debts. He says "The decision to cease collecting older debts risks eroding the public's tax compliance and does not align well with the objectives of the Landspakket" which was supposed to improve fiscal responsibility and governance. Silly Bully's machinations will rather have the reverse effect of undermining "an already weak tax morale."
2024-10-18

Forget It
Dutch parliament has moved against reparations for the slave trade. Get used to it. It would be in contrast with legal ideas about damage compensation anyway: the persons who suffered themselves are dead long since.
2024-10-17

Haha, that Will Work
The government, always so smart! We read in Curaçao Chronicle: "The Ministry of Health, Environment, and Nature (GMN) is calling on individuals involved in the illegal dumping of waste at Dam Pretu to come forward." It's a punishable offense, you see, but you need to find the perps first.
2024-10-16

What Else?
It's totally in character for those wastrels who "govern" us: Because the money is available now but must be spent before January 1st, they have to spend it! Otherwise they can't spend it any more, and spending is the name of their game.
That's why we keep getting saddled with more monstrosities nobody wants. Got it?
2024-10-16

Feeling the Pinch
M*F*K finance minister Silly Bully has asked advice by Amsterdam lawyers De Roos & Pen about the juridical position on the tax debts question scandal. But it looks like the advice that came in was addressed to Bully personally instead of his department; also, no price had been arranged beforehand and even an invoice has not been sent. Yet.
It's a pretty safe bet that this private advice will be paid by Bully's department; meaning: by us.
The word now used for the tax machinations is opschoning which Google translates as "shifting" but would, in more normal circumstances, would mean "cleaning up." Somehow, Google is right here, we feel.
2024-10-16

"No! No! No!" x 16,000
Exactly as I expected: on the meeting at Lagun Beach on the future developments, M*F*K PM Bearded Weirdo finally announced that the plans to continue building the monstrosities, ruining our beach coves in the process, would go on regardless, as the money had to be spent this year or would be lost. Translated: "Protest all you want, I'm the Commander in Chief and everybody has to do as I say."
Fuck you, all 16,000 petition signers who responded to this speech by shouting "No! No"! No!"
2024-10-15

Not the Only Case
M*F*K MP Ramón Yung says that PAR Girigorie should shut up about budget troubles and all that. After all, when PAR was governing (by way of Bhillenaath) over 4 billion in taxes was not collected; he mentions more items.
If this suffices to have Yung accusing Girigorie of mental deterioration I don';t know. In his humanity, Yung says he limits his critique, "in an effort not to place additional pressure on Girigorie's memory." How sweet; makes me cry (with laughter).
2024-10-15

True Enough
SER social-economic council warns that relaxing the welfare laws, as proposed, will "lead to long-term dependency on assistance." SER doubts if there's money for the proposed plans, as well.
I betcha there isn't. That's for the next government to worry about.
2024-10-15

Silly Bully Does as He Likes
Curaçao Dental Society asks minister Silvania to explain on what grounds he has admitted 23 dentists to come practice in Curaçao. The law says only dentists trained in Holland may offer their services here; if not, they have to pass an exam. But CDS says that those 23 have not passed the test or haven't done it at all.
This will almost double the number of dentists on the islands. CDS has made two appointments with the minister to discuss the matter, only to have him not appear.
But what do our Bosses care about the law?
2024-10-15

You Should See the Rest?
Curaçao has been selected as the best cruise harbor in the Caribbean.
We're also told that in the future a yearly supply of 1 million cruise tourists is aimed for.
2024-10-15

Congrats
As from tomorrow, we can pay for parking our cars again. Isn't that nice?
2024-10-15

Experts Disagree
Biologist van Buurt reacts to Debrot's remarks on the Lac crocodile. He says the animal is extremely dangerous, and anyway it's not sure at all that it used to exist on these islands, as Debrot claims. Van Buurt also doubts the idea that Lac's sea-grass vegetation is now in danger because of turtle overgrazing, while for years we have been told that the vegetation needed turtle grazing.
Well, figure it out, kids; but you won't catch me swimming in Lac.
2024-10-14

News to Us
The contractor for those beach monstrosities, Boon Services (and architect as well), claims no building permit is needed for laying the foundation for a building. They just wanted to "couple the loose floor to each other"—whatever that means. And it wasn't the intention at all to continue further building without a permit (which surely massa Boon he himself, I take it, was guaranteed to get). Why then a newspaper photo showed stacks of concrete blocks next to the foundation he didn't explain.
Also, permitted "ground works" do not comprise foundation building, if you ask me.
There will be a Monday evening Lagun meeting organized by M*F*K Prick Pias, where he will answer all questions. The contractor will be there as well, all set for tarring and feathering. "The plans may then be adapted."
Not that it will make any difference for that concrete poured already. Shut up and vote!
Let's.
2024-10-14

Color Me Skeptical
RdK refinery is not only changing its name to 2BC, as told before they also want to change their activities. Sustainable energy production is the thing for the future! Or so claims M*F*K PM Prick Pisas.
It's expected all those new activities will mean more work for KTK towing company, which the last couple of years has not been doing so well. At all.
2024-10-12

We Hope IMF Does a Good Job
Four of their guys have started to investigate the Tax Person. At the request of minister Silly Bully, who by now may be as sick of the tax dept. as we all are (excepting those who got a debt remission, maybe).
The minister sees this as an intermission report, after personnel has followed courses to improve their work. The idea is to get a follow-up every few years.
2024-10-12

Now That
Biologist Dolfi Debrot warns that we should not get all panicked by the salt water crocodile found in Bonaire's Lac. The animal belongs on the islands, but the species has been eradicated long ago. Also, it isn't dangerous at all.
Please be kind to the monster! Says Debrot.
Debrot also says there are too many sea turtles in Lac, which damages the sea grass (whatever it's called) vegetation. So let the croc eat turtles, he says.
What to think now?
2024-10-12

Even Worse
Now that Arubian minister Croes has been arrested (and temporarily released) "his" PM Wever thinks it necessary to criticize the OM public ministry, while also saying that she doesn't want to do that because the OM is independent of her government. She doesn't like the way Croes was arrested. Well, that's not hers to decide, so shut up and do your job, Wever. Which includes controlling your government.
2024-10-12

More Coming
M*F*K PM Prick Pias let slip through that the small Boca Simon beach between Penstraat and Mari Pompoen is also on the list for "improvements".
2024-10-11

So There
VPCO protestant education says that many Curaçao schools are not fit by architecture and infrastructure for air conditioning. Small wonder: many were built way back when even surgeries in hospital were done in non-aircoed rooms.
We are awaiting education minister Heijdoorn's come-back with considerable interest.
The schools' roofs couldn't even carry solar panels' weight.
2024-10-11

Oh, Nice
Aruba journalist Espinoza because he was arrested by Landsrecherche cops while doing his job: collecting info on the arrest of minister Glenbert Croes. He now demands justice dept's apologies; if he doesn't get those, he'll file a claim for abuse of power.
2024-10-11

What We Figured
M*F*K PM Prick Pias has admitted that the designing bureau has started building the concrete monsters on Lagun Beach on their own, without bothering to wait for a building permit. After all, Bolo Mudbelly or at least someone must have given them the go-ahead, am I right? (Please correct me; if you can.)
Seems preparations may go ahead without a building permit; but it isn't clear if such a permit has been applied for. Why bother?
Next Monday the Lagun people will be meeting with our no-good dignitaries. Meanwhile, I hear that over 15,000 petition signatures have been collected already. Which is 13% of the total 2021 voters. Uh oh.
This is not the first time such a thing happens. Remember the Knip Beach ramp?
2024-10-11

Obviously
We all know that: Dutch PVV "claims that the recent arrest of Aruban Minister Glenbert Croes reveals the 'widespread corruption' and integrity violations in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom."
Just maybe, may I humbly suggest, we need much more supervision?
2024-10-11

Let's Face It: We Can NOT
Since the autonomy/independence, yesterday 14 years ago, results have been, er... disappointing. If one thing became clear is that Nos mes NO por. "Poverty levels have risen, and both nations are grappling with enormous debts." Curaçao and St. Maarten thought they'd grow more independent, but the financial supervision (such as it was) prevented that. And a good thing, too.
The BES islands and Aruba aren't doing so fine, either. Say, just a thought: maybe that Statuut wasn't all that bad, after all?
2024-10-11

Oh, We'll Pay
The government will pay for the extra energy costs caused by school aircos. Which means, you and me, goes without saying. Who else?
Not every classroom will get an airco; which ones will or will not is up to the school boards.
The government will take into account a "possible" [my quotation marks] increase in energy costs. Not a word about the net capacity, which needs adding to as well. Eventually even the minister may figure it out.
2024-10-09

Deplorables
The government wants a group of 16-20 spoiled brats to start improving the civil servants' image - on LinkedIn, as so-called ambassadors.
They will be selected for their task. Sure, as they must be exceptional to improve said image. Job cut out for 'em. And it won't succeed. Because you may try, but come right down to it, the image depends on the soiled rats.
2024-10-09

What a Fool
Amigoe headline: Pisas gambled that Venezuela would keep its agreements. Silly #$$.
2024-10-09

Join the Club
MPK's Reginald Lak (is he still around?) is disappointed in the results of 14 years of independence. He asks himself what's the use of elections every four years, while the people doesn't, don't? get a chance to give input. Well, that's how "democracy" is supposed to work, Lak.
Not that it does.
2024-10-09

Lock Him Up!
Fundashon Dos Bui pa Kòrsou wants the Dutch College of Procurators General to look into the activities of our attorney general Giulliano Schoop, who just doesn't take any action against finance minister Silly Bully: he "has repeatedly ignored instructions from the Court and is intentionally delaying the case, giving Silvania more time to prepare."
A response to the foundation's complaint took 2 months to arrive, in spite of the court order to comply within 6 weeks.
2024-10-09

Not Even Funny
About those 320 aircos for schools. The protestant schools state that they lack the power facilities to run aircos in all classrooms. Their net just can't handle so much power. Apart from the question who's gonna pay for all those kiloWatts.
2024-10-09

Him, Too
Aruba minister of Integration, Labor, and Energy Glenbert Croes has been arrested on fraud charges. Which is all I need to know. Look it up if you want more.
2024-10-09

You Think So?
In the words of Groucho Marx, "then there can't be much to it." M*F*K PM Prick Pias assures us that the $21 million PdVSA owes Curaçao will eventually be paid, it's only a matter of time. It's all the fault of the USA's sanctions, which will remain in force until the end of the year.
In actual fact, of course PdVSA owes us $450 million, or rather, over 1 billion, and is as good as bankrupt, with or without sanctions. They easily managed to get there on their own.
Even Pias's political partners were shocked by him blaming not PdVSA, but Curaçao for the problems. But he's quite right: it was Pisas himself who in December 2023 signed a disastrous accord with Venezuela giving away half of the debt in exchange for empty promises.
2024-10-09

Looks Good, Now How to Do It
Fundashon E Hende (FEH) wants all the tenements of FKP transferred to the people living in there. One can foresee some problems here, even though FEH has a good point. FKP has shown it's just not up to its responsibilities.
But will the renters be?
2024-10-09

Good for St. Maarten
The government has adapted an accord by which the people of St. Maarten will only be responsible, viz. pay for, the SXM penshonados with an Ennia pension. Which means that they won't have to pay for those of Curaçao, the BES islands and Suriname.
2024-10-09

One Didn't Slip Through
Dutch navy ship Holland intercepted her 5th drug smuggling boat, with 1865 kilos of cocaine and 5 smugglers aboard. Bringing the ship's total catch to over 7750 keys.
The rule of thumb says, correctly or not, that means 10 times as much did reach us. Ready for shipment to Europe. Ain't economics great?
2024-10-09

8000!
That's how many signatures have been collected against the government's ruinous beach "improvement" plans. Better still, parliament has been awakened and (PAR) has asked some nasty questions.
Like, what's the policy with regard to public beaches (if there's any such thing)? How about some transparency (don't make me laugh) in the planning for adapting beaches? Why went the design to that bureau? Any public tender? Building permits? Who'll take care of these monstrous constructions and exploit them? How much it's gonna cost? What organizations were involved in discussions? When did the council of ministers take the decisions?
Good questions, all. Maybe we'll get an answer—just maybe. By end October, when construction will be almost irreversible. Because knowing Bolo, he'll just press on regardless.
M*F*K Doran wonders who can possible be against improvement of the beaches? Depends on what you call "improvement", Dummy Doran. Here's your answer, dimwit, dolt, dullard and dunce: over 8000 voters are against it.
Interestingly, Bolo's VVRP ministry published (in Curaçao Chronicle) the "Procedure for submitting an objection to the Ministry of VVRP." Beter save it, no doubt it may come in handy soon enough.
2024-10-09

Now You Know How It Feels
Bolo Mudbelly complains that the Dutch are not keeping their previously made deals. Because the Dutch, who prefer building nuclear power plants instead of throwing yet more money away to green alternatives, will not support Bolo's mulish EV-buses plans.
May be a new experience for Bolo, but not for us.
2024-10-09

Plus Ça Change, Plus C'est la Même Chose
Which means, for the non-Haïtians among us, "the more it changes, the more it remains the same." RdK refinery will change its name to 2Bays Curçao. It is believed that the "energy transition", meaning the change to different and "greener" energy sources, will have its influence on the plant's activities.
Too bad it's such a flop elsewhere: not only Germany and the UK are on the brink of going bankrupt, thanks to those plans. But we go stubbornly on, in the mistaken belief that instead of being 50 years behind as we always used to be, we're now far ahead of developments.
But trying to fool all of us with a transparency that's denser than the blackest smoke, that will remain. It's our culture!
What the hell are those 2Bays? Anna- and Bullen-, I have guess. When Shell was king or at least boss, it included Caracasbaai as well.
2024-10-08

We're All Angry
In a couple of days, 6000 signatures have been collected already protesting the rape of our bays. Will that be enough to stop work that has started already?
I'm very much afraid, not.
2024-10-08

Fine?
Financial supervision of Curaçao and St. Maarten will (again) be extended, now until 2027.
Not that it has helped much up to now, sorry.
2024-10-08

Petition
Many people are disgruntled about the plans to "modernize" ruin the character of more beaches, after Caracasbaai. A petition to stop that can be signed here.
But I betcha it won't work. The government will just disregard that, no matter how many signatures will be presented. They are the boss! after all.
It's obvious to many of us that some people (wisely without mentioning any names) will grow even fatter on the percentage they will collect
2024-10-07

A Bit Late, Innit?
Before the end of the year, 320 new air conditioners will be installed in Curaçao schools. As the really hot season has already started, that may be small consolation; that date means it may by then be over already. Also, the media don't inform us how many classrooms will remain without any. We're used to that.
2024-10-07

Oh, He's Ill. Again
The parliamentary question hour on Isla refinery's arrangements with PdVSA have been postponed (for the 3rd time if I haven't lost count). M*F*K PM Pias is ill. Poor baby. Let's send him flowers. Don't put a stink oops think bomb in there.
Good timing! I guess he gets sick just trying to come up with adequate remarks.
2024-10-07

Hope It Helps
Telecommunications Flow, follow-up of UTS, formerly Setel, will reorganize. 12 workers will lose their jobs. But 37 will be lost in the "client service" sector, which should result in faster service. They will all be fired and then may apply for 36 new positions, when they will be trained after acceptance.
2024-10-07

Still Silence
The people concerned about the Zakitó development complain that they still haven't had any reaction to their petition. "Curaçao's government appears to choose for an undemocratic governance style," says the action group. Whatever could give them that idea?
Now the government, in fact Bolo Mudbelly, takes the easy way out by claiming that it's not a valid LOB (National Public Access Regulation). To which the action group replies "It seems that the government is deliberately blocking the MER [Environmental Effect Reporting] legislation so it has free rein in licensing private investors." Yeah, kinda smells like that. You can't deny they keep in style.
2024-10-04

Dummies Won't Learn
After the tremendous downpour earlier this year, now new Wechi houses (under construction) has been flooded by a really very modest rainfall. We're told it concerns only two houses, which had trouble with improper sealings. FKP director Con dismisses the idea that cheap and inferior building materials have been used.
However, this is not the first sign of trouble there, and elsewhere, with the builders, Betonbouw n.v. Who in turn complain that payment of bills by FKP is not what you'd call supple, which also applies to communication.
The rainy season, we're told, started last Tuesday. Oh? More realistically, it only starts next month. "Higher than average is expected"—like the hurricanes?
2024-10-04

No Worries, the Prisoners Will Wait
Maybe not patiently, but what else can they do? The new Prison Law has been bounced by parliament, much to the chagrin of the coalition. PNP Osepa even said there are mistakes in the law, which will cause the minister of Justice not to accord it even if parliament accepts it. I'm not so sure with that guy Hato at the helm, but Osepa pointed to the 2021 OZB real estate tax law, which still has not been published and thus is invalid.
2024-10-04

Dogs Only
What a relief. Indeed, only dogs need a chip implanted. Goldfish, not. Also more stringent measures have been announced so owners are responsible if dogs break out into the streets and start biting passers-by. Good. Now maintain the law—for a change.
2024-10-03

For Once, He's Right
Clown Peppi Sulvaran says that all lawyers should be able to speak Papiamentu. Of course. It should go without saying.
2024-10-02

In Character
The electric EV buses, which have been taunted as so great, have been put on hold. Holland is not coming through with the money.
But Bolo Mudbelly says it's no problem. We will find our own sources so we can thrown our own money away: "We are going to arrange our own affairs on this island." Holland was supposed to cough up 5 million, and Curaçao 3.5m. For 6 EV buses and a solar power plant to feed the beasts.
Hey, Bolo, that happens to be our money! Okay, it was our money.
2024-10-02

Not "All"
The headline says, "all pets" will have to get a chip from 2025. But as it turns out, it only applies to dogs. Or so it seems, I may be wrong. It's not so clear from wat I read in the media. We're used to that.
2024-10-02

Idiotic
On Bonaire, private persons may not sue the government for failing to take measures to combat Climate Change but take heart: Greenpeace will represent all of them.
As I don't live there myself, I don't have to start an action to prevent that gang of dishonest nitwits to represent me.
2024-10-02

Oh No, Two More Ruined Improved
Jeremi and Lagun Beaches will be "improved". Gawd help us: a structure will arise which resembles that of Caracasbaai. And also a kids' pool. Where will they put that one? you have to ask yourself.
PM Pias hopes the improved beaches will score as high as Grote and Kleine Knip on the list of 10 most beautiful Caribbean beaches. They can't possibly, of course. Something's got to give.
2024-10-01

Last Plans
Of the government. Strengthening the governmental apparatus, woe. Includes the justice system, which sounds better? Means new facilities in the youth prison institute. More security cameras! and fire fighting systems.
Tickles my curiosity: an automatic system for drivers' license tests, where the speed is automatically recorded. Big deal. Now try and get them to take such a test.
Let's hope that, for a perhaps welcome change, those cameras will actually work.
2024-10-01

You Don't Say
A large-scale Brazilian investigation into money laundering methods has thrown a negative light on the Curaçao gambling sector. Shocking! But not surprising. Arrest statements have been issued for two persons who laundered money via Curaçao gambling institutes Esportes da Sorte and Vai de Bet.
2024-09-30

Not All Agree
It's highly questionable if the tax machinations of finance minister Silly Bully are legal, even though some assure us they are. Hey, I'm no lawyer. But I don't trust the guy for one penny. Too bad he controls a lot of mine.
The good news may be, OM public ministry is not prepared (yet?) to let it go and has started a facts investigation.
2024-09-30

Not So Good
There's a HAP emergency MD post right next to the CMC hospital entrance, where you can go when your regular GP is closed. Many complaints have been published, correct or not, while it has a received a GP appreciation of 7.1. But. GP's organization CHV marks that more than 20 of their members never got a survey form (they even say none of the members they contacted got one) and want HAP's correction. If that's not forthcoming, the GPs want a parliament meeting. HAP management, CHV says, refuses to meet with CHV's board.
2024-09-28

I Live in Fear
Title of a 1955 Kurosawa film about a guy afraid of the atom bomb. This is maybe less serious: there has been a [national] World Tourism Day on which 12 (out of 24) points were agreed upon, each and every one of them meant to attract even more tourists. A lot of blah-blah there, wot you teenk?
CHATA head Cova promised they'd report a year from now what they have accomplished in that time.
2024-09-28

That's a Good Reason?
Parliament has, after all, accorded finance minister Silly Bully's "temporary" remission of tax debts. Silly Bully declared there's no law forbidding it, so go ahead already? Of course it's no surprise, as the majority in parliament supports the government—slim as it may be.
Good point for Silly: since 2010 there has been a remediation scheme where payers got discount of 20% when they paid the rest of their taxes. Even though this never became law, all governments since then went along with it.
2024-09-28

Sure Looks Like It
The Movimentu Save Zakitó complains that the government shows no transparency at all in handling the matter. After a petition collecting almost 2000 signatures in April, it was presented to the governor who forwarded it to the responsible minister. She might as well not have bothered.
That irresponsible character is Bolo Mudbelly. And there you go—nowhere.
2024-09-27

Goody!
We'll get still more tourists and will therefore build more hotels: 4000 more hotel rooms, apartments, and vacation homes by the end of 2026.
2024-09-27

New Water Plant
To the West of Hato airport. Reverse osmosis. That will spell the end of the Mundo Nobo plant, at least for water production. Should be operating two years from now.
2024-09-27

Let's Try, Anyway
Now that 3 billion guilders of taxes are no longer inable, MAN's Martina wonder if finance minister Silly Bully may not be prosecutable. He may well be, if you ask me. Not that my opinion has any value, I'm just a voter.
2024-09-27

Don't Be Silly
Ribeiro, former director of bankrupt JetAir, denies he's busy paying his debtors their money back. None has received a cent.
2024-09-27

Don't!
A Dutch D66 senator wants to involve Aruba and Curaçao in the defense industry. Meaning, we will produce weapon parts or ammunition for the Dutch forces. Would bring economic opportunities—and also potential dangers. Smart, huh? It's just asking for trouble; which we've plenty of already.
2024-09-26

Just Asking
Aqualectra just installed a "smart" water meter at our place. Great improvement: it shows a flag when your system leaks, so you can take steps to fix that.
Why don't they use such meters themselves? For their own leaking system?
2024-09-25

Always Nagging
Shopkeepers of Kaya Max F. Henriquez are worried about the rising sewage levels. Shortly, they fear, the sewers will go over the top. Who can understand their attitude? We were promised the sewers and rooien would be cleaned and that should be enough for 'em. The government always keeps its promises.
2024-09-25

Who Cares?
Not Lolo, nor Baoase; but their neighbors are afraid that the works that just got their go-ahead will limit or block their access to the shore. Well they may worry, as far as I know, judging from past occurrences.
2024-09-25

He Thinks So?
Finance minister Silly Bully declares he's pleased with IMF's conclusions about Curaçao's economy.
We, not so much.
2024-09-25

Leave It to Suckerbug
The Dutch consumers' organization is calling on Meta to fight and block fake websites that offer goods and services, only to collect your money and not delivering.
As if Fakebooc's Suckerbug cares. He gets his share, and that's good enough for him. Unless things get too hot.
2024-09-25

Include Me In
Financial institutions don't worry too much about climate "risks". Nor do I. In 2017 hurricane Irma devastated St. Maarten; but that's nothing new. CBCS central bank will spend more efforts on identifying the problems. Hey, maybe they'll even find one!
2024-09-25

"Annulled"
The parliament meeting on tax remission has not been delayed; no, it has been annulled. Which to me means, it won't be held anymore. But maybe it will? Language capabilities of our Bleaders nor of our media are tops.
Reason given by PAR and MAN: finance minister Silly Bully overwhelmed them at the last moment with a deluge of material which they couldn't possible check out in time. Silly Bully may have picked up this trick from the USA government, which routinely pulls the same act.
2024-09-24

Not Worth Looking At
Amigoe spends half a page explaining the planned 2025 budget. Don't waste your time; it's bloody nonsense anyway.
2024-09-24

Jussa Question
In my lifetime, we've had three Queens of the Mighty Netherlands, and they were all pictured on the coins with a hair-net. Now we have a King; but on the info leaflet on the new Caribbean Guilder coins I can't make out what's his hairdo. Wait and see.
2024-09-24

Get Used to It
PayPal, I was informed, has stopped Curaçao people from receiving money on their accounts. (Without telling them about it, only too typical for that outfit.) Reason, they were requested to do so by our government.
Silly Bully hits again! Just in order to collect some theoretically possible tax income, they stop practically possible ways for people to earn some money with modest exports. Who cares about the economy, as long as taxes are paid? Not Silly Bully. Sometimes.
2024-09-24

"Solution"
Because of the extreme heat, and because most bus-aircos just don't work, drivers will be instructed to keep windows and doors (!) open while driving. Which can get pretty dangerous.
2024-09-24

Yes. We Know
CMC hospital has a debt to Holland of 250+267=517 guilders, plus a debt to Curaçao of 433 million; and its own capital end 2022 was negative: 149 million. Total problem ANG1079 million, or over 1 billion.
The Dutch government is prepared to help, but has not received a request for support. Nos mes por! If it doesn't come (it's not even expected to do so), our government will be forced to move patients to Aruba, Bonaire and Colombia. Nos mes por!
2024-09-24

Budget Substandard
That's what RvA advisory council has to say about the 2025 budget. We don't have to point out all their reasons: the main one is nobody cares, as usual; especially not finance minister Silly Bully who prefers to waste his highly-paid time on getting more gambling mafia in and (probably connected) obscure tax treaties.
2024-09-24

Down the Brain Drain
In Suriname, building construction is in trouble because more and more workers and bosses are moving to Curaçao, where there's plenty of work to be had. This has happened in the past as well, maybe more than once.
2024-09-24

Move that Fat #$$!
Still no prospect at all of getting our FAA-status 1 back. It has only lasted for 12 years now, since 2012. Blamed are "the lack of sufficient and qualified staff at the Ministry of Traffic, Transport, and Urban Planning." That's Bolo Mudbelly's dept. in top standard form.
2024-09-24

Keep Stopping—Some
Koninklijke Marine Dutch navy has intercepted two drug transports in a matter of several hours. Total catch 1790 keys and 7 suspects.
How many got through, nobody knows. Not even the dealers. Bad statistics.
2024-09-24

Awful Suspense
Finance minister Silly Bully announces a "tax credit" for 53,000 tax payers with debts of less than 2,500 guilders. These will be condoned in one swoop. The credit is valid for 24 months.
The Tax Person is working it all out, and meanwhile my monthly payments just go on. Will we be contacted and told those remittances can stop? And when?
I don't count on it.
2024-09-23

Uglier and Uglier
A book with photos of mine made in the 1970s-80s, Curaçao Fiesta has been published by Zanolino Gallery and the most often heard comment is, "My, how the island has changed since then." And not for the better. It became uglier and uglier; what charms we had are, it seems like, carefully hunted down and destroyed.
Now it's Caracasbaai which is being turned from an, admittedly stony, beach into a concrete quay from which visitors can descend into the water. But we're assured that its character will remain purely krioyo, local.
This wanton destruction of our attractions just goes on and on. Marichi, the Wharf, Waterfort, Kas di Pueblo, Zakitó, coral reefs... no need to say more.
2024-09-23

Oh, Great
Bolivia - Brazil - Chile - Colombia - Paraguay - Peru - Venezuela are Latin-American countries that love Hamas, Hizb'Allah, Iran, Communist China and North Korea. And they hate Jews Zionists.
Aruba still has the border with Venezuela closed; we're wide open. And we keep hearing how fine it is that more and more Brazilians come over here. As tourists.
2024-09-22

Thought I'd Mention It
Norwegian energy giant Equinor is discontinuing all plans to produce "blue hydrogen" made from natural gas. Which is a much cheaper process than with electrolysis, as Chong's unholy plans are.
Reason? They can't find enough customers to buy the stuff.
It would be far more expensive than natural gas and has a much lower caloric value as well.
2024-09-22

Guardianship
For the SOAB social affairs ministry. You know who's the guardian? Silly Bully!
It's pretty heavy, and probably well-deserved, even if the guardian is an odd choice (he selected himself of course). He must accord every amount over 0.01 to be spent.
The umpteen millions he gave away on old taxes do not matter at all. After all, who's Boss?
2024-09-22

Think About It
The heaviest car I ever owned was a Chevrolet BelAir, of about 1800 kilos/4000 lbs. This explains why the guard rails on highways are tested for a maximum weight of 2,400 to 5000 pounds (2150-4500 kilograms). Ample, you'd think (just remember the kinetic energy can be much more than that). But for EVs with their heavy batteries it's not nearly enough. They could have 20-50% more impact energy and may crash right through them; which they do in tests. Feeling better now?
Not to mention trucks, which even when equipped with fossil-fuel engines are much heavier.
2024-09-21

Blow Me Down
Curaçao may not be the worst place in the world for having your intellectual property getting stolen as a routine matter (Communist China unavoidably comes to mind) but it's also the place where the 17th international conference on the problem will be held. Good. Hope it helps.
Cannot help telling you here about Dutch copyright organization Pictoright, that finally started an action against websites that make the whole copyright idea a farce. I mean Fakebooc, Instagram, YouTube and many others. They have enabled uploaders to infringe my modest personal rights for tens of thousands of €uros, hiding behind the idea that they hold those uploaders responsible—while they make pots'o'money in the process.
2024-09-21

Rejoice, We Can Pay Again
From October 15, for parking. Took years and years: since 2021. If it will help?
Taking a line through the traffic lights, not much. These only seem to serve to (correctly) fine drivers who don't mind them. Not that that seems to help one bit. But it's much less trouble than stopping a driver who drives... er... erratically.
The crossing Rooseveltweg-Churchillweg is a good example. When the traffic lights there are out-of-order, traffic just flows through. When they do work, prepare for a long wait and misbehaving drivers forcing themselves into your lane.
2024-09-21

Same Here, to Be Sure
The crime most occurring on Aruba is driving without a license, followed by DUI.
2024-09-21

We're Saved
PM Beirded Weardo paid a visit to the pope, presenting him with a photograph, or might be a painting, of Handelskade—or whatever it's supposed to be called now. One thing is for sure from the looks of it, it won't be hung in the Vatican Museum.
Remember ex-PM Whiteman? He paid his holiness a visit as well. A lot of good that did to us.
2024-09-21

So Soon!
Curaçao has started ratification of a treaty against money laundering and terrorism financing (virtually the same thing), signed in Warsaw in 2005; following the Netherlands who signed the same year and ratified it in 2008.
2024-09-21

So Sensitive
80% of workers experience sexual harassment and (micro) aggression at work. While it's a fair guess a lot of that may be a bit on the exaggerated side, no doubt as well a lot of it happens. It's particularly urgent in tourism and healthcare; which is easy to understand.
2024-09-21

Smart, Giselle
MAN's Mc William wants a digitized voting process, where voters register at an online portal and get a QR code, which they show at the voting office with their ID.
While admittedly the system where voters get their cards by mail is far from ideal, "she acknowledges" that many voters don't have access to the internet or digital tools. So please stop wasting our time until that is the case?
Do the voters now have to go pick up their voter cards at those community mailboxes? Lucky they.
2024-09-21

A Good Laugh
There has been held a Webinar on 'Energytransition in Curaçao and Suriname", where Alex Rosaria was one of the speakers. His idea was, we must take it in our own hands and not leave it to the politicians. Funny, for a guy who not very long ago started a political party PIAS and even, as I recall it, was government head for a while.
2024-09-20

Not That
Teachers' union DOEN wants the warmth problem to be solved by March 2025 at the latest. Relax, it's not global warming climate change they mean, but airco in schools.
2024-09-20

Goodbye!
In December 2023, RdK refinery signed an agreement with PdVSA, where RdK would get about half their claim of 1 billion dollars because of rotten maintenance of the Isla installations. The money would be paid in oil; which PdVSA doesn't have because the Maracaïbo installations are in just as bad a crummy condition; let alone they'd have money. PAR Girigorie now asks PM Bearded Weirdo why he has restarted negotiations, after the same Prick Pias declared earlier that there was no way oil or money would come over (he got that straight). And. asks Girigorie, what's the financial situation of RdK compared to 2021?
As if Pias had an inkling.
2024-09-20

You Don't Say
IMF monetary fund warns about the economic growth, expected to be 4.5% this year. But it's all because of the tourist sector, which "begins to reach a saturation point." And other sectors don't do so well at all.
The 3.5% inflation has gone down to 3.2% (oh yeah?) and in the long term will go down to 2%. Permit me my skepticism. Please?
IMF also makes the point that the graying population might just pose be a future problem.
2024-09-20

For Once
Government stands firm! It's about the unions asking for their money, wanting it over 2023 as well. "No! We need all of it ourselves!" I can almost hear them say in their secluded, airco rooms.
2024-09-20

That's Only Me
The recent meeting on Democracy and Climate Change raised my shackles. Hopefully for the wrong reasons. What I read translates as, we citizens have to beg the governments to take more measures to combat climate change—giving them more power in the process. Is this democracy? That's democrazy!
I won't go into the matter if anything the government does will change this combat. Climate will always keep changing, and has always done so, and the reasons we are given are very doubtable. And Hotter=Better anyway than colder.
2024-09-18

Danki Dios?
The Resort planned at Rif St. Marie, ruining a fine rest of what we still have for nature views, has been stopped. Too many protests from citizens and nature and environment organizations.
Sometimes it does help.
Or maybe not: the reason the developers give is that it would have grown too expensive. But it's not over: the terrain will be parceled so private persons can still build their own houses there.
The plans would have been even worse than we were shown! Much worse.
2024-09-18

Wising Up? Guess, Not
Wish 't were so. At any rate, Aqualectra is building a new power plant, good for 40MW, the Salu [health] Power Plant. In cooperation with battery builder Wärtsilä. That sounds better than usual, but investments in more wind energy and batteries are still planned.
If you can tell me why it's called Salu, please go ahead. Because it sounds good? That I knew already, thanks.
2024-09-18

Boiling It Down
Ronald Lieuw, whom nobody can accuse of being an anti-alternative-green maniac, has an article in Amigoe comparing costs of EVs to ICEs (electric versus fossil fuel cars). His conclusion, to get right down to it, is they're 2-16% more expensive in their first 5 years. (After which you probably have to buy a new battery, which really sets you back.)
Even though he figures that when you use solar chargers, electricity is "almost" free. He should know better than that.
2024-09-17

Too Bad
A meeting on climate change and democracy has been held. In my possibly biased experience, the louder the screams to do something about it, the less democratic the proposed measures are. Small wonder "climate change" is way down on the list of the public's interest.
2024-09-17

Poor Babies
The Spoiled Brats are peed off because the governments wants to pay them the 12.5% cuts "back" from 2024. NO!!! they want it all, including 2023.
The rest of us aren't so lucky. We'll get nada - zero - zilch. Means "nothing", capisce?
2024-09-17

How Awful!
Two years from now SVB social insurance will hit the red. Of course CMC new hospital gets most of the blame, while we are all convinced it's the politicians' stealing that caused the problems. One more reason is, AOV welfare pensions will grow out of proportions, because of people living to a higher age.
Perfect timing for minister Silly Bully to announce that, next year, those pensions will go up, for the first time since 2013. By how much he doesn't say. Neither retirement age nor premiums will go up. Safe for him to announce that: hopefully he'll be gone next year. Hopefully, yes.
2024-09-16

Sounds Only Too Familiar
"Ali Saadouni, an [Iran] economic expert, mentioned the following seven super-crises: the bankruptcy of pension funds, the banking super-crisis, the insurance super-crisis, the water super-crisis, the energy super-crisis, the hyperinflation super-crisis and the investment super-crisis." (Khabar Online, May 6, 2023)
Count yourself lucky: we "only" have the pension funds, banking, water, energy and investment crises. Depends on your interpretation, agreed. Hyperinflation is not that bad; energy is mostly still there, water as well, even if both ridiculously expensive. Most banks are still around after at least two crashed and thanks to us all paying up the pensions are guaranteed.
2024-09-15

You Can Only Hope
The first container for people to dump their trash in, instead of by the roadside or wherever, has been placed. On the Weg naar Fuik. Good. And again, let's hope it helps.
Only in the weekends, though.
Also, rooien [ditches] will be cleaned and car wrecks will be collected. Which reminds me of a 1940s Punch cartoon, showing two fish looking at a mine with the comment "These thing come back every 20 years." Just like those promises.
That first container was filled to the hilt in less than 15 minutes, which at least is promising. Keep it up!
2024-09-15

Oh Wow
So we're all worried that Isla refinery will re-start and pollution with it? Be thankful at least that PdVSA is gone! Here, read about what's going on in Lake Maracaïbo since the Chávez Social Paradise state took over from those dirty capitalists.
2024-09-15

Suckers
The Arubian government will change over to EV electric cars. A start has been made with 4, but all petrol/diesel cars will eventually be replaced. Aruba claims this will result in 14% lower costs, without offering any hard figures to prove it.
The €U is supporting the process with €190,000—which, for all I know, won't help much: "According to data from Kelley Blue Book, the average transaction price for electric cars was $56,520 in July, 2024, vs. gas-powered vehicles at $48,401." With 1 € equaling 1.1 $, that support then will not even pay for 25 cars.
2024-09-14

Very Good Point
An Amigoe letter writer wonders, while there's such a discussion going on about the school kids lacking airco in the present heat, how come the Spoiled Brats are all sitting in comfy cooled rooms.
We don't wonder. They're Soiled Rats and take care of themselves first; not of the people.
2024-09-14

Oh What Fun! Rejoice!
CTB tourist office announces all records for August have been broken, again: 18% more visited us this month compared to last year.
Not everybody agrees this is so great.
2024-09-14

As Usual
23,500 cars' taxes haven't been paid yet. That's about 1/3 of the total. And why should they have been? Without adequate controls, no reason, mon. Only the Prince of Darkness knows how many drive around without any insurance and/or car test.
Some have made only partial (half year) payments. How many, we're not told.
2024-09-14

Should, But Won't
The quality of the Curaçao budget must be drastically improved, says RvA advisory council. What can you do but agree? But that's only the start, because what can you do but agree as well that the budget is only the standard marks on paper, and will not be realized.
2024-09-13

Good Catch
Dutch Navy's ship Holland (wit a little expensive help from their friends) intercepted a Go-Fast with 210 keys of coke and 2110 keys of marihuana. Amazing! that such a small boat could carry such a load.
Some shooting was needed to force the engines of the Go-Fast to stop. A crew member was wounded.
We're not informed about the nationality of the smugglers.
In other papers, those quantities of coke and marihuano are reversed.
2024-09-12

How Generous!
Curaçao government, after having stolen much more than that from CMC, now makes available 235 million guilders for the new hospital. Or 45 million a year, which still is 5 million less than CMC is short.
This must come out of the national budget, SVB social insurance, or CMC efficiency improvements.
"Or"? Surely what's meant is "and." Can't fool me.
2024-09-12

Muddied Transparency
The dossier on the Ennia debacle will only be partly published publicly, in reaction to a WOO request. Nice! We mere voting cattle are not supposed to know really about what has been going on. It's all to protect the state's economical and financial interests, we're told. And they're still looking for evidence on what's really been going on—because nobody knows.
What we do know is, we'll have to pay for 30 years. Can't blame us for wanting to know why? Oh, they can blame us. Got it.
2024-09-11

As for Us...
We can only hope and wait to see what will befall us. Governor Wout "set forth a vision centered on responsibility, optimism, and national development." Good, huh? And on the same Curaçao Chronicle is a headline "Parliament chair calls for increased maturity during meetings." Even better!
The M*F*K-PNP Pias coalition still has great plans for the time they still have. I can't hold my breath.
2024-09-11

HaHaHa, Ya Really Think?
We are treated to news about the Atlantic hurricane season, because it suddenly shows some activity—at last. See? The doom-sayers were right after all, better batten the hatches.
Only, the storms seem to have petered out already. Which is all to the good, of course.
2024-09-10

Will that Help?
Too late for some sea turtles, anyway. A comprehensive inspection will be held on Klein Curaçao. Too late, as usual. Even if it really helps, which we have good reasons to doubt.
Investigated will be new structures. And then what? Will they be removed?
2024-09-10

To Quote a Phrase
"Goodbye to bad rubbish" is the phrase. Alas, it applies to the Aruba government, which has fallen.
Ours is still in the saddle and has just in time before the parliament year opens signed a new government program. It's now called Pisas-III, all this in less than 4 years.
2024-09-10

Something Happening, at Last?
About time. Police held ten raids last Friday in the early morning hours (which Russians would recognize as "KGB-time"). "In the context of a criminal investigation" is all we're told, much later. Nine persons have been arrested. An arms depot, munition, 4 vehicles, cash, jewelry and drugs have been confiscated.
Could it be?
A viral item on the asocial media said that M*F*K PM Prick Pias and justice minister Shalten Hato are regular visitors of one of the addresses raided. But the police deny that they have been instructed by the government to delay the news about the raids: it was a complicated matter and they were just not ready for the press sooner.
2024-09-09

"Just Rumors"
The police deny that Pias and Hato are "regular visitors" at one of the addresses raided last Friday. They may deny but they can't stop me from having my suspicions.
Like, the rumor that PM Prick Pias himself has bought the Campo Alegre to rent it out to the Dubai underworld and so enable money laundering. Why else is he always going there without being able to tell parliament what he's doing there? Again, I wouldn't know but wouldn't put it past him.
One arrested people is Stanton Elhage; I don't know if that's a relation (but shouldn't wonder: those things run in families).

Let Us All Sing:
Banana, Banana, Banana Kune! 2024-09-09

Please, Not
First, all people should get the opportunity to open a bank account, to enable digital payments. Which is the only way the government accepts payments.
Persistent rumors, which ring all too true, have it that one of the reasons is that it avoids at least some stealing by the Spoiled Rats.
Now the question becomes, what bank? Because the commercial banks are out to make money, for which you really can hardly blame them, and just don't accept all candidates. So the government, in its eternal unwisdom, considers several options; like re-installing the GiroBank after its shameful debacle, as a bank. (It's now called Gi-Ro, as if that changes anything: many depositors still don't get their money.)
In other words, a bank run by the State. Spare us.
And besides(?) it makes a farce of the principle that bank notes are legal tender.
And the Spoiled Rats aren't allowed to steal anyway. Not officially. It's all for Those in Power!
2024-09-09

Oho! Izzatso?
A hotel was started on Aruba's Baby Beach and stopped by the court, but later building was resumed anyway. I couldn't find further details but we do read that in the past weekend a "clash" occurred between tourists and action group "No More Hotels."
The "startled" government has promised unbridled building of more hotels will be restricted, but who believes those guys?
2024-09-09

Just Wait
In New Zealand, tourism is getting to be such a pest that the government wants to triple the entrance fee to $62. (I guess that's NZDs, though, today worth ANG68.82.) That's supposed to be 3% of what a tourist spends while there, works out at 2300 guilders.
In Rome, access to the Trevi fountain will be limited; just like to the Amsterdam Walletjes whoring scene. In 2022, €1.4m was collected in coins thrown in Trevi by tourist suckers. So a "symbolic" entrance fee of $1 or 2 doesn't seem outrageous.
Just you wait until Silly Bully starts charging those entrance fees here. Maybe that will help? I doubt it.
2024-09-08

We're Much Closer
In the USA, Venezuelan crooks are taking over entire apartments. As they, if arrested, are almost immediately relieved on bail, that doesn't help much. In Brooklyn, 400 members of gang Tren de Aragua are terrorizing the neighborhood where they can. It's so heavy, police in the streets have been replaced by the National Guard.
Tren de Aragua is mainly interested in human trafficking, drug smuggling and arms dealing. Exactly why we need a re-opened Campo! "Gang members are also taking over apartment complexes in Dallas, Aurora, Colorado and New York and the FBI is doing absolutely nothing to stop them."
In Texas, Venezuelan gangs are stealing copper wire and oil from oil fields, assaulting workers in the process.
Until now, we've escaped that. But for how long is anybody's guess.
2024-09-08

New Tricks
Power to the People! and some are grabbing it all right. Stories do the round that when you're parked somewhere, crooks start a leak in your tire(s) and then follow you until you're forced to stop. Then, they offer to help but instead, relieve you of your money and all that.
So better take out a subscription to Curaçao Wegenwacht, shut your car doors and windows and call them at 9-24-7 for assistance. It may not be really cheap but can be worth it.
Better buy an airco car? It's a thought. Contrary to popular opinion, it may save on gas because of less air resistance with windows closed while driving.
2024-09-08

So Are We Worried
The Mighty Dutch Kingdom is worried about the Venezuelan developments. The country "remains an unpredictable factor and a potential threat to the safety of the islands." Truer word was rarely spoken. The Dutch ministry of defense is also worried about the growing influence of Russia and China.
They forget Iran and North Korea? They'd better remember. And Hizb'Allah!
CarMil Caribbean Militia will be expanded, and more hours will be spent on aerial inspections.
2024-09-07

Sic Him, Daal!
Former cabinet chief of ministry of heath has filed a slander complaint against Braam, head of the CMC hospital committee. Daal doesn't agree with a complaint filed by Braam about his "harmful acting"; this while Daal has not even been invited as a witness for the committee. Daal also categorically denies having signed invoices payable to Stanley Betrian.
2024-09-07

Protection Money
Economic Inspection visited 8 business in Otrabanda, closed down two and warned 5 others. One was kosher as regards regulations and permits.
Inspections were prompted by complaints of SKO Otrobanda Traders Association. Not very sporting!
They should have paid their Protection Money.
2024-09-07

Sheer Childishness
WinAir got limited rights to fly SXM-CUR after—what-was-its-name-again? best forgotten—went bankrupt in one weekend; but got them only after Z-Air got permits to fly CUR-SXM. Only, the Z-Air permits are unlimited. But the responsible guy here couldn't bring himself to reciprocate.
WinAir has gone to court, as this is illegit. As if our minister would care about that; none of them do.
2024-09-06

We're Used to That
PAR party complains that the parliament meeting on the Oryx-Isla deal was "pure show, providing no information." No doubt they're right.
As if they are so great themselves. PAR says the same thing happened before. Yes...
2024-09-06

In fact, She's Right
Quackie Constancia keeps going on about how bad it is to be in prison, and wants the law to change or even applied. Since she has been in prison herself.
While I can agree with her, I do wonder why we didn't get a peep out of her before she experienced prison life herself. No, I don't wonder: she never gave it a thought.
2024-09-06

Yes, We Know and Agree. Now What?
Finance minister Silly Bully's tax machinations are illegal and illegitimate. Now he's trying to correct this by means of a new law, which however will not change a thing about his former acts.
You wanna know something? It won't help a fart, he'll just go on. Unless the OM public ministry really does anything about it.
2024-09-06

True. So What
Central trade union CVGTC is worried about the recent political developments. ("Recent"-Hah!) The M*F*K goverment's acts are biased and authoritarian without any respect for the country's legal institutions.
I told you about it.
They ask "the" minister to change his act. We all know who is meant, which really should be, "are meant." Good luck with that.
And how about the LOK gambling mafia enabling law?
2024-09-06

Aw, Cummon
Let's try and be reasonable. In Vlissingen Holland, next Sunday a documentary will be shown called Poder di Awa [the power of water]. In that panicky production, the 1953 Dutch Watersnood flood is compared to the Bonaire situation. Let's stop panicking, okay? This is sheer nonsense.
The Watersnood was caused by a hurricane, which, very rare for February, made its way to Zeeland province where as a result dykes burst and many people and cattle drowned in consequence. A real calamity, which led to the Deltaworks. But please keep in mind that the land behind those dykes was below sea-level already, while the situation in Bonaire is quite different. There are low areas, to be sure, but they're still above sea level. And it looks like a dyke the height of a curbstone will be enough to stop any flood. Nobody would probably drown, anyway.
All that hysteria leads nobody anywhere.
2024-09-05

Wonderful Cruises
Aboard cruise ship Carnival chaos ensued when the passengers discovered, during the trip, that the route had been changed to one that was lower-priced. The engines just couldn't make the speed needed.
After they had been found out, the management offered to pay passengers the full fare back, or get a $400 bonus and continue the tour.
At least, they won't come here, then.
2024-09-05

That will Help?
I strongly doubt it. It's the umpteenth time an action is started to convince the people that it's no good dumping trash anywhere, and it never made any difference. This time it's Silly Bully's initiative, who'll ask the inhabitants of 6 neighborhoods to utter their ideas to "cleaning experts" and even a sociologist. (Our kria cleaning woman is not on the list.)
All recommendations and proposals will be considered, Silly Bully promises. Like the government always does, after all. Almost always. Motto is "From You, For You, With You."
At least, large containers will be placed (where?) for the people to dump their trash in, to be emptied by the government.
2024-09-05

Depends on How You Look at It
On 2023, of the Curaçao 74,243 houses, 60,143 were occupied. Which, taking the pessimistic (at any rate opposite) view, 14,000 were not occupied. That's almost 20%.
Total population 155,000. Who said "housing shortage"? Meanwhile, building more houses goes on and on, like there's no tomorrow. Maybe there isn't?
2024-09-05

Anything You Say
According to Spanish El País president Nicolás Maduro has decided that Christmas from now on will be celebrated on Oct. 1 in Venezuela, instead of Dec. 25.
2024-09-05

Even Better
Despite finance minister Silly Bully's optimism, it looks like Curaçao will miss out on 19 million guilders licensing revenue in 2024 instead.
Reason, the gambling mafia enabling LOK law still isn't ready and has not even been presented to parliament.
2024-09-04

Something In That
MAN party says that the Isla-refinery deal with Oryx is "not transparant." That's putting it mildly; it's so muddy, you have to ask yourself if anybody in the government or Isla understands what's going on.
2024-09-04

Forget It
MKP party wants a law to punish politicians accused of lying. What a joke! Especially when you realize that MKP's leader is René Rosalia; former minister of education, which post he had to leave in disgrace.
Rosalia also is generally suspected of having to do with the mysterious disappearance of the Peter Stuyvesant statue, but if so, he covered his tracks well.
2024-09-04

Dive Schools Pest
With the growing tourism, not applauded by everybody, there come more and more dive schools as well. 97 are on the list, but "new ones arise every day." There are no controls or requirements at all: you only need to register your company at KKN chamber of commerce.
Hans Pleij of diving school Curious 2 Dive points to Bonaire where it's better regulated. According to him. But "better" may not be "good enough".
2024-09-04

Sue the Bastard(s)!
Antilliaans Dagblad publishes that all indications are that OM public ministry is preparing to sue finance minister Silly Bully for his illegal tax machinations. But OM isn't talking. Yet.
Looks like a result of Yves Cooper's action.
2024-09-04

Idiocy
Another action that was not thought through. Now the personnel of landfill Malpais has gone on strike because there's no clear guide on which truck drivers get free dumping.
Back where we started: so dump it somewhere else, of course!
2024-09-04

Beg Pardon
There has been 1 (one) hurricane in August after all, sorry! But that fails to impress me.
2024-09-04

Much Ado about Nothing
After a lot of excitement in St. Maarten elections, another one was held. Didn't change a thing (but must have cost money).
2024-09-03

What a Royal #$$
The Prins Bernard Fonds, that gives out subsidies, will change its name to Cultuurfonds. Big deal, it's still the money largely coming from his Nazi funds.
Reason is that, to everybody's—well, almost everybody's surprise, old Benno's NSDAP Nazi party membership card was found among his possessions at paleis Soestdijk. The old fool must have been too sentimental to get rid of this proof of his Nazi sympathies, although he officially left the Partei when he, smelling Orange money, got engaged to then princess Juliana in 1936.
After WWII he cultivated an image as a verzetsheld, resistance hero.
As far as I know, he has been an SS-member as well, just like his son-in-law Claus, queen Beatrix's spouse. Those things run in families; now we have a king's spouse Máxima, stemming from a notorious Argentina family.
2024-09-03

He's Certainly Busy
Now finance minister SB (no acronym for other meanings, please) acts as if he is so generous (in actual fact, we would be) by offering 3 million to CMC workers for a Christmas bonus. But CMC management points out that SB hasn't a fart to say about salaries etc., which is the managements's responsibility.
SB's offer was made on FakeBooc, as usual, so who'd believe it is a fool anyway.
2024-09-03

They'd Like That
The idea is to replace the SG secretary general of Finance with a member of the management team (whatever that is), wich MAN party suspects is a way to get around the SG, and takes away the parliamence competence in financial decisions.
Which is just what's the intention, is my paranoid guess. Parliament? Troublemakers!
Who describe the new law proposal as "disruptive, corruption sensitive, extremely dangerous, shocking, causing goosebumps."
2024-09-03

Tough, Silly
CFT financial supervision thinks the 2025 budget is "overly optimistic"—which makes me overly pessimistic.
For starters, CMC is on there for 10 million guilders, but CFT feels 25-30m is more realistic. And the bright idea to writing off the government's claim against CMC in exchange for the hospital buildings is insufficient as thosee buildings are worth less than the claim. Uh oh.
Tax revenue estimates also are pretty high, and the 40m from the gamblers seems too much as well.
While a surplus "is possible" it won't be the projected 81m, let alone also mentioned 106m.
If Silly Bully cares is another matter. Hopefully, for us, he'll be gone next year.
2024-09-03

There You Have It
Malpais Landfill will be free for two months: no fees for dumping there.
This after the truck drivers' association started blocking the entrance there in protest against the government, finally, taking action by fining truck drivers who came to Dam Pretu to dump there illegally. This after the people living around there announced a possible court action against the government for not keeping to the anti-pollution laws.
Wish more actions would have such results.
2024-08-31

Pay Up, Cheap Bastards
The Hague's Supreme Court has kicked back Cyberluck's appeal: the company must pay the winners their money. The court held Cyberluck responsible for its sub-licensees' actions.
2024-08-31

MAN Denies
The party has not had any discussions with M*F*K about a possible government participation after the recent crisis. Rumors are they did. MAN declares that M*F*K is now trying to get the people to forget about their disastrous government period, pointing at the refinery take-over, the CMC hospital problems, and the 3 billion national debt. (Reminds me of the USA Democrats now trying to blame Trump for their own ruinous policies.)
MAN, who have always maintained, like PAR, they will not participate with M*F*K in any coalition say that they are willing to work with PAR and PIN.
The latter being Auntie Sushi's party. Not so good either. Maybe I'll vote blank this time? If that works.
2024-08-31

Don't Know More
But it sure sounds intriguing. A guy was shot in the mouth and died during a quarrel about stolen water. Really! But that's all we get to read about the quarrel details.
The shooter, who had been using cocaine derivate Tusi, has apologized to the victim's family. That's a lot of help. The PG wants 15 years in jail for him.
2024-08-31

What a Joke
Now I understand why finance minister Silly Bully does not like the new Caribbean guilder. The banknotes are all in Dutch! not Papiamento or even English. This while the explanatory leaflet we found in our mail box is in those two languages. Passing weird...
Too late to do something about it, Silly Bully. The things have been designed, and are as good as printed and minted. Will cost to change all that now. Better attend to such matters instead of working to attract your mafioso gambling friends.
2024-08-31

We Get It
The political parties have little interest in looking at the proposal of a group of citizens that blank votes should be recognized as valid, while they are just considered as null votes now. The problem with that is that the choices of voters, who do not wish to support any of the candidates and therefore vote blank, are now counted as valid for restzetels [residual seats], with the sad result that at last elections M*F*K got a 4 seats majority. With all sorry results... oh, enough already.
No wonder the parties are not interested.
2024-08-31

True, But...
Holland's government (not the mighty kingdom's) thinks that Curaçao is responsible for the CMC hospital's extravagant costs. Quite correct. But when state secretary Szabó, follow-up of van Hufteren, says "it's going in the right direction" you can only wonder where he bases that opinion on.
2024-08-31

Hey, that's Good!
"According to 1000 tide gauges,spread all over the globe, sea levels are rising slowly at around 1mm a year" we read. That's a 10 measly centimeters a century; quite a far cry from what was predicted some years ago (or maybe still now) as 6 ft, or even 6 meters. So relax already. Alas, all those beach hotels will remain standing after all. Pabien, Lolo Bolo!
2024-08-30

Tourists or Turtles?
Sadly, we know about this conflict. From at least the problems at Klein Curaçao and Playa Piskadó. Now STCC Sea Turtle Conversation Curaçao wants more space at the beaches. The turtles' scramble to find a proper nesting place is "obstructed by barriers such as palapas and concrete blocks."
Tell us about it. There is even hardly any room left these days to just lie in the sand like we used to do before all space was occupied by those damn beach chairs for rent to those damn tourists. But tourists are good! They bring in money! Which is all our government cares about.
As long as tourism lasts, true.
2024-08-30

Right, Good Question!
PAR asks what the hell is going on: do we have a (new) cabinet (Pisas-3), a caretaker cabinet, or an interim cabinet?
You may well ask if even anybody in the government can answer that question.
2024-08-29

So Who Here Cares
Much ado about €urope trying to influence tax treaties, in Holland and on the islands. Only, they have nothing to say, come right down to it, as their proposed measures are not legally binding here. As far as I understand, I humbly admit.
2024-08-29

Work Starts
On partial upgrading of the refinery for Global Oil. Costs 57 million guilders. LPG-gas installation will be revised first, needed for producing asphalt which should start early next year.
2024-08-29

Let's Hope So
Once again, color me sceptical. Aqualectra promises, promises that by 2025 electricity tariffs will be 20% lower than now. (Which will still be pretty high.)
This because of all those windmills etc., total good for 100MW or 50% green. In 2027 that should be 70%. We'll see about that because more batteries will be needed. Oh.
Much investment is needed. Ya betcha.
Earlier this month the promise was, 12% lower by 2029. Hey, don't ask me!
2024-08-29

They're a Pest
Every year scores of yachts are coming in to spend the hurricane season in the safe Spaanse Water. But they're a nuisance and pay less than it's worth: just an administrative fee. There's not even a real deal about their trash and sewage. A new entity (more government!) needs to be established.
2024-08-28

Keep that Dope Coming—and Going
Kustwacht coast guard intercepted a local fishing boat, that turned out to have 245 keys of coke aboard. (They say the stuff has been destroyed.)
2024-08-28

You Don't Say
PNP MP Gerard says he has no problem leaving Staten to make room for Larmonie-Cecilia. He also says that M*F*K PM Prick Pias is "unreliable" as Pias declared last Wednesday that he was not talking to other parties, but letters to the governor about the new cabinet deal had been delivered to the governor that very morning, already.
2024-08-28

#WeToo!
Now that the specialists may soon be enjoying higher salaries (at least, that's what "the" minister, which one of the crowd I don't know, says) CBV union of nursing and caring institutions wants better payment as well. And I for one don't blame 'em.
2024-08-27

Why Wait Any Longer?
Finally, the people living next to Dam Pretu are considering to start a court action against the government, which doesn't take any adequate measures to stop all illegal activities going on there.
Why "consider"? Do it already. Sue the bastards!
2024-08-27

Leave it to Him
The Ombudsman complains that Lolo Bolo undermines his, ombudsman's, authority "by repeatedly refusing to cooperate in addressing citizens' complaints." Ombudsman mentions a lot of details confirming this. But all his actions have not helped a bit. Lolo is firmly in the saddle (poor horse) and does as he wants. Like almost all his colleagues.
For now, I can only hope.
Why is this bastard not being sued? Not a lawyer, it feels to me like there are plenty grounds to be found.
2024-08-27

Big Deal
We get reports all over that the governor is driving around in 2024-08-27 a BMW EV, "Going Green."
I guess she can afford it.
2024-08-27

Back to the Fleshpot
PNP head Larmonie-Cecilia wants to rejoin parliament after she quite the coalition. Hey, it's a well-paying job, to put it mildly. But first, another PNP MP must step down. There'll be a party meeting; should be fraught with interest.
So PNP had 3 MPs and 3 ministers. Seems a bit out of balance.
2024-08-27

That Stinks
People living in Coral Estate are worried about their sewage, which is not handled properly. For once, our government can't be blamed for it, even though it should at least control it and intervene when needed. "Grey water" (treated sewage) will be released near residential areas, but inhabitants claim that all sewage, black and grey, flows through the same pipes. Interestingly, "grey water" will not be released near the homes of the Board's chairman and another board member.
Here again, the board has assigned voters who are not even home owners, which raises some questions.
The problems are said to stem from an inadequate sewage plant, which was never adapted to a larger size when that became necessary. Still more houses are planned in the future.
The plant was sold by the developers to the homeowners' association for one guilder—which makes you wonder about those owners blaming the developers for greed.
2024-08-26

Look Who's Complaining
"Modern slavery in prison!" exclaims ex-minister of health Quackie Constancia, recently released from a stint in SSDK jail. Conditions there are sub-human. Even though the Kingdom and its then PM have apologized for the slavery past, here people are treated as modern slaves.
Nothing new there, in fact. We all, if we take the trouble, can remember the Filipinos exploited as slaves when building Aqualectra's BOO facility; and the Cuban slaves who escaped from CDM Dok, now Damen's Shipyards.
Both companies owned by our esteemed government.
Sure, Quackie may be exaggerating, but I doubt if that makes a real difference. Life in prison can only be hell on earth.
And Quackie may be forgetting Campo Alegre with its prostitution slavery, but I'm not.
2024-08-26

Busy Bastards
M*F*K PM Bearded Weirdo Prick Pias has given finance minister Silly Bully even more to do. He already has taken over the ministry of health (together with Pias h.h., and now he gets to supervise SOAW social affairs.
And Lolo Bolo, next to "his" ministry of transport &c., will also take care of economic development. Oh, who will help us get rid of those guys?
Needless to say, Silly Bully nor Pias don't know a thing about medicine, but after the MAN-ministry back in the 1980s, I can't remember any minister who did; and you'll have to admit Cooper at least can stimulate economic development—at least his own.
2024-08-24

More Bad Acts
That Silly Bully is really acting as if there are no laws. We know about the Tax Debts scandal and his welcoming of the Gambling Mafia, both illegal; and now the Public Ministry and the Police Corps are reproach by RvR law enforcement council that they have no adequate policy to confiscate criminal money or goods. Which ultimately is the responsibility of our esteemed finance minister.
2024-08-24

Oh that New Guilder
St. Maarten finance minister Gumbs has his doubts about the introduction of the Caribbean Guilder, and links the problems to the not-so-ideal Ennia "solution". And our own Silly Bully also starts to spread "doubt and insecurity" about the proposed date of March 31, next year.
Let's hope he'll be gone by then? No matter what, the CBCS central bank who has announced that date will still be there.
2024-08-24

Is What He Says
Only a small part of medical specialists are leaving Curaçao for greener pastures. At least, that;'s what Silly Bully says, now in his function of minister of health.
He says most are leaving for other reasons, which he does mention: pensioned off, moving to other institutes or personal choice.
Of which the last two strike me as maybe, possibly, not unlikely to have to do with those lower salaries. At any rate, they're leaving in drones: fifteen of them per latest count.
2024-08-24

There He Goes Again
Finance minister Silly Bully has a new idea for "Tax Discounts"—only, now it's to reward those who have paid their debts. All tax-payers get 2500 guilders on their debit cards, which they can use for payments.
What's the sting here, by now we are allowed to ask. Well, there are 44,000 payers with a debt of less than 2500, which the tax person doesn't think it worth to go after.
Wish I'd known that earlier!
The RvM council of ministers has agreed.
2024-08-24

Sorry: Excuse My Smirking
That hurricane "season from hell"? I commented already that it leaves much, or maybe better, little to be desired. Now we read that the Atlantic Ocean, which was expected to be warmer than ever, thus causing all those hurricanes, is instead cooling off. "At record speed." Nobody understands why.
Well, I may not know much about it, but at least I don't say I do. In contrast with the self-called "experts" who are "absolutely baffled."
2024-08-23

Oh, Wow, Great
The Hato fire dept will be staying at "a stone's throw distance" from the airport. No worries, man.
2024-08-23

New Caribbean Guilder
The design has been published now. Meant for Curaçao and also St. Maarten, where everybody uses the US Dollar.
2024-08-23

Again, that Ferry
In 2023, Aruba installed a Ferry Commission to look at a connection between Aruba and Curaçao. They are now thinking of a passengers-only ferry.
Here's the rub: the islands are now thinking of implementing that service, later possibly extended to Bonaire. As long as it won't be a government enterprise, which brings back memories of ALM and it's expensive follow-up flops.
2024-08-23

That's Transparency, Folks!
PNP MP Osepa says "there is a completely different motive for the MFK's split with the PNP than what has been publicly communicated." Quelle surprise! As usual in politics, to be sure. Osepa even uses the words "smoke screen."
It remains to be seen if the political glue will hold.
M*F*K is peed off because PNP's Osepa and Mercelina had the temerity of talking to the media, instead of keeping their mutual fights discreetly under the bed-sheets. (It's M*F*K that mentions "marital" problems.)
KEM's Martines and ex-PNP's (or was that PAR? I'm getting dizzy and nauseous here) Jesus-Leito think the M*F*K coalition still has many important things to do "in the interest of the people." Sure. And don't forget those sumptuous salaries.
2024-08-23

What We Needed
There are cars (meaning, more than one) driving around with loudspeakers mounted on their roofs, so we can all enjoy the fine music booming out of there. There are laws forbidding this, but who cares? It's our culture!
At least the police has promised they'll fine those guys. Maybe they even will.
2024-08-22

Disgrace
From 22:00 to 05:30 (in the evening and in the morning, it says—thanks for explaining) there will be no firefighting dept on Hato airport. There's fungus around and several firefighters have fallen ill.
They will be around until after the last commercial flight has taken off, we're assured. Good to know, unless your flight has to land for an emergency. Too bad!
2024-08-22

Sad But True
Dutch Financieel Dagblad has an article of which the gist is (we all know or at least suspect the causes: our leaders' wheeling and stealing): Curaçao can't afford the CMC hospital and structural support from Holland is unavoidable.
Ain't independence great?
2024-08-22

It Just Goes On
The Gambling Control Board has issued 107 new licenses for the gambling mafia. More are still in the pipeline. Says Silly Bully. Who alas is still there.
2024-08-22

So What
The government has fallen. After a fashion, and not nearly far enough. PNP withdrew its support after the Staten debate about finance minister Silly Bully's illegal tax machinations. (And don't forget the hospital.)
But M*F*K hastily arranged for a new majority by attracting independents Jesus-Leito and Djaoen-Genaro plus KEM party, leaving them with a minimum majority of 11 out of 21.
Governor Wout still has to accord this, though. I have little hope she won't.
KEM is Godett's new hang-out, after FOOL. Jesus-Leito is not so great either. Djaoen-Genaro opportunistically left PNP at once, so she can go on enjoying her plush seat.
Next elections in March 2025. But will they help us?
2024-08-22

Go Figure
A "homeowner" with a sign on his plot saying it's government property goes on building regardless. He says he has all needed permits and has paid all his fees.
To whom, we have no way of knowing.
2024-08-21

He's Lying!
That's what CMC new hospital's management has to say about finance minister Silly Bully. For one thing, the minister gets a weekly overview of the waiting lists for surgery, which he denies. Since August 19, that waiting list has been reduced from 3000 to less than 1200 patients.
2024-08-21

He's Lying!
Obviously, but he keeps it up: Silly Bully about the tax debts remission for his millionaire friends. It's not remission but debt restructuring, he says. Pshaw. Even our opposition sees through this.
But Silly Bully doesn't care a flying fart about what parliament has to say. And let's face it, why should he? He's firmly in the saddle and will keep sitting there. At least until next elections.
I can't wait, but will they help?
2024-08-21

That Just Goes On
Good luck to the inhabitants of more neighborhoods than I care to list, who had a meeting on what to do about the smoke pollution arising from the illegal trash dumps. Nothing that helps is done about those.
The solution seems so simple: fine all those truck drivers with the maximum, or possibly (?) even throw them in jail. When they start refusing to carry trash over there, their bosses may change their tune.
Yes, I know, they often are their own boss. Which makes my idea work even better.
2024-08-20

It's Not True!
Is all Silly Bully has to say as a come-back to the questions of how he fer-cryin'-out-loud could have condoned the pre-2017 tax debts of his millionaire friends. It was PAR who never cared to collect those taxes! he says. (Probably true enough.) Also, it wasn't he but the Tax Person who condoned the taxes. As if the Tax Person's acts aren't his responsibility
Doesn't change the fact that Silly Bully himself declared on FakeBooc in 2023 that all tax debts from before 2017 had been canceled.
Now he says they haven't been canceled, they're still in the books; even though the former debt-owners' cards are now blanco. The Tax Person just stopped collecting that money. How we all wish the mortgage banks would follow the same policy!
We should get rid of these crooks. Too bad that the others are only a bit better—if even that.
2024-08-20

How Strange!
The reopening of the Floating Market has not resulted in lower fruits and vegetable prices. Not that I expected them to. But we now got an explanation: the economy in Venezuela is so bad, all things from there have gone up in price. Sure. So why bother? We all saw this coming years and years ago.
I still maintain that the floating market is better now than when it was reduced to selling tourist junk.
2024-08-20

Other Way Around
The government, replying to Isla refinery, opines that there's a "fair balance" between Isla's fundamental rights and the population health. Which means, Isla is allowed to release 70 micrograms per cubic meter of SO₂ during 5 years instead of the 80 the refinery asked for.
Too bad the limit should be 50, which is the internationally accepted norm, and as far as I know has been the court's verdict.
2024-08-19

"You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet!"
In sharp contradistinction to the predictions of doom: we'd have a very intense hurricane season, "From Hell" because the oceans have never (?) been that warm, until now it's been almost nothing. Beryl was the earliest hurricane that heavy ever! we now get to read.. see, they were right! Yes, but... in the years since 2014, until now this year has produced less hurricanes and storms than all of the foregoing.
Check out this CNN page, a fine example—but Axios is even worse.
Oh, but that's because of the Sahara dust. Just you wait and see that we'll still be right! (This is what philosophers call an ad hoc explanation.)
Why don't they shut up and wait to see themselves? No, that doesn't sell ads.
I fully agree: it may still get heavy.
Or not. What do I know? Or they?
2024-08-18

More of the Same
Naïve me was hoping the new Dutch government would break with some old policies. Yes, they do, but PVV minister Zsabó tells how at his just-over visit he was informed, bijgepraat (which means they informally told him), about the green hydrogen-producing wind mills that were enthusiastically promoted by Dutch TNO and our own Ramon Chong—and of course the former Dutch minister of energy.
Mark my words: many more millions will be spent on this pipe dream and it will never amount to a single penny earned. I have told you so, once again, now.
2024-08-18

The Road to Doom
We keep hearing about price controls which are supposed to try and beat inflation. Not denying that it seems obvious the importers/distributors/detailers are screwing prices (and us), price controls as announced by our ministers are not the answer. Wherever they're used, they lead to stagnation. Look at the woningnood house famine in Holland since WWII—still going strong despite, or because of, take your pick, all government measures to control it.
Or, physically closer, just think Cuba and Venezuela.
2024-08-18

Come On, No-Goods
It's been 4 days now that the government hasn't reacted to a cry of distress from CMC management. No money forthcoming, which means the health care of people is endangered.
Understandably, as the government needs the money for other, more urgent, purposes.
2024-08-17

Headstrong Mules
People living on the terrains owned by Johannes Bosco Foundation on Brakkeput Ariba, at the desirable Spaanse Water location, have been cut off from water and electricity delivery. Problem is, they do not pay any rent and illegally build whatever tickles their fancy.
Now, of course, they protest in a shrieking choir how badly they're treated. Sorry guys, without knowing too much about the details methinks you got what's coming to you. Since the 1970s.
2024-08-17

Why Only Now
The Juliana bridge spanning the harbor is not fit for use by heavy traffic over 45 tons. What do the transporters care? They use it anyway, which results in damage to asphalt and "critical parts of the bridge structure." The government has "requested" the transporters to choose another route.
But now, the police will start controlling. After tolerating 50 years of use and abuse.
2024-08-17

What We Were Waiting for
The so-called Kortingswet where spoiled rats were deprived of a 12.5% of their income (and other work conditions), will be canceled this year. At least, that's the plan.
The law was introduced as a way to get another loan from (you guessed it:) Holland. Because of Covid.
It will result in the public workers to still get all that money over 2023 and 2024.
2024-08-17

Keep Calm
Now, after Covid, AKA the Chinese Communist Party Virus, we are all supposed to get scared out of our skins for Monkeypox. The hysteria started in June 2022, when cases started to proliferate. But "most of the cases in the U.K. and Europe have been in young men with no history of travel to Africa and who were gay, bisexual, or had sex with men." Which doesn't mean it can't be transmitted by heterosexual contacts.
At any rate, the pharma industry saw yet another opportunity to make a few lots of bucks and started producing vaccines like crazy. Even CMC is preparing for a wave of infections.
2024-08-17

Did You Know...
... that the USA Constitution was heavily influenced by Jefferson's Dutch pen-pal Hugo de Groot? Hugo de Groot is practically known in Holland only for his escape from being held in Muiderslot castle, hiding in a book chest.
Now USA Judge C. Howe of the Fifth Circuit pronounced in a verdict: "Hamstringing the government is the whole point of our constitution."
Wish we had such a constitution. Or the Kingdom, for that matter.
Why did he have to escape, anyway? Musta been a troublemaker.
2024-08-16

We Were Waiting for It
But for once, it happened! Yves Cooper (clearly no relation with Lolo Bolo) has asked the Court of Justice to investigate finance minister Silly Bully's eradicating tax debts from before 2017. In April the court decided that this was illegal and prosecutable, but the court never followed up.
2024-08-16

More Problems
Sint Maarten is acting up because of the Ennia "solution": while Curaçao can't independently meet its obligations towards polis holders, Sint Maarten can, and is not glad with the arrangement to pay money for 30 years to keep Ennia alive.
If this results in Ennia going bankrupt after all, we're in for a new giant elephant orgy (which is my slang for a great f*ck-*p). Because then the central bank CBCS will be in trouble. Uh oh.
2024-08-16

Leave It to Our Leaders
The merchants of the Plaza Nobo market have been told that they must move out at once for the renovation works. Now, today, got it? Problem is, that's the first time they heard about it. Until now, they were assured that their businesses could keep working. Which they can at another location; but conditions there are very unsatisfactory.
2024-08-16

We're Saved!
Our government is watching the developments in Venezuela closely. There even is a task force to advise 'em. What a relief! Now we all can go on sleeping.
2024-08-16

Oh, No...
Lame-duck USA president Biden has offered Venezuelan dictator Maduro amnesty for all his crimes, if only he'll give up. Presumably, the USA will welcome him with open arms; because if he chooses to remain in Venezuela, the next government there is pretty sure not to grant him that amnesty.
In how far it's Biden who's responsible for that offer is a good question. Is the guy responsible for anything by now, you have to ask. Next question, who then IS?
2024-08-15

Childish Prick
Lolo oops Bolo is not satisfied at all that Z-Air has been given SXM landing rights. Course not! now he must reciprocate by giving WinAir the same rights. So he wants Z-Air to sue St. Maarten, because the deal only extends to December 31, after which passengers won't be able to get on enough return flights.
If Z-Air is prepared and willing to follow his advice, they'd be crazy. Is my opinion; they'd better wait and see what happens next. Maybe Lolo will grow up (fat chance) and grant WinAir those rights, and the matter is finished.
Not he, though.
2024-08-15

Goodbye, Docs
Several medical specialists have already left the island, because our leaders have decided they may not earn more than the PM. (While they are certainly worth much more.) The medical professionals club VMPiLC even warns that after this year, hospital care will be severely restricted.
Curaçao is the only country within the Kingdom that has accepted the so-called LNT rule for specialists working for CMC hospital.
2024-08-15

Disgusting
Is what I call it. Finance minister Silly Bully crows that tax receipts keep breaking records! So those no-good wastrels can squander even more.
Seems the story isn't that "optimistic", though. But I'm not going into that.
2024-08-15

Did We Expect Any?
Parlatino has not commented on the Venezuela "elections". As if that bunch of impotents would dare stick their necks out.
Meanwhile, Maduro's opponents maintain that next January candidate Edmundo González Urutia will be sworn in as president. And US president Biden (leave it to him) has offered Maduro amnesty for crimes he has committed.
The story is that Hezbollah ("Allah's Army") operates a sophisticated network in South America, carrying out terrorist attacks and engaging in criminal activities like drug trafficking and money laundering. Under Maduro's protection. Colombia is the world's largest cocaine producer, while Venezuela and Ecuador are key international transshipment hubs. And we here, right.
2024-08-14

No Criticism Allowed
The Boss knows Best. (Don't mind his past.) Caricom is no threat to the local industry.
Good to know; if correct. The industry may not agree; that's their problem.
2024-08-14

Not Scared
The government is not intimidated by the threatened legal actions by Clean Air Everywhere. Who's boss here, after all? It comments the air quality standards "are based on scientific literature, international guidelines, and consultations with stakeholders."
What stakeholders they don't say.
But in 2022 the court already decided the ministerial regulation did not comply with formal and substantive requirements.
2024-08-14

It's the Guardian, So It Must Be True
After all, the bastion of politically right climate alarmism. The paper will now use the terms "climate crisis" and "climate emergency" instead of "climate change"; or, maybe still better prefers "climate breakdown" and "global heating" over "global warming". Because the older terms do not frighten people enough. "Environmental destruction, weather destabilization, and environmental collapse" are even better.
But here's the good news: another report found that it won't make any difference. People are just fed up with that hysteria. Not all people, sad to say.
Warming? Heating? Very weak. Why not go straight to "boiling" "melting" and "burning"!
2024-08-13

So Show Them, Already
PAR's Girigorie wants to see the documents that led to finance minister Silly Bully's eradicating old tax debts. A lot of help that will be. It's already clear it was completely illegal and another despotically capricious action.
We should sue the bastard!
2024-08-13

Come September
Then finally the proposal for a law on bank deposit guarantees will be ready for RvA advisory council. Only 9 months after it was promised. Oh wait (as usual)—then, it will still have to be discussed in parliament and all that. Maybe I'll still be around to see it.
2024-08-13

Which Company?
That was what I first thought upon reading several reports of a troubled flight AMS-CUR.It finally turned out to be Corendon, but the papers were right: it makes no difference. There were several disruptions between passengers and cabin crew during the flight, which resulted in Marechaussee and police waiting on the airport to arrest several people.
One was a Curaçao passenger who had to go to the toilet but was obstructed by a Dutchman who refused to take his knees out of the way, whereupon our compatriot smacked him in his face. Another guy started a fight with his neighbor, accusing her of shaving stolen his phone; it was finally discovered lodged between the seat cushions. A third one refused to pay for his drinks.
Fine people, "dushi hende", no? True, what then was that Dutch man's problem?
The Royal Marechaussee of course is a relic of the fine old times when Holland was occupied by tyrant Napoléon. when the corps was set up to control the troublesome People. Some good ideas are always kept in. Like the Landbouwschap, started in WWII by the Nazis and still around.
2024-08-13

Not Here: Forget It
After USA presidential candidate Trump promised he'd end taxes on welfare pensions (and Medicaid costs as well), his democratic counterpart Harris was quick to follow. If she's sincere, but that's not my point. That rather is, how about us here? No way! Let the old farts pay again, which they did already when they paid their premium. Let alone adapting the pensions to inflation.
And what the oldies have to pay for medical insurance is downright frightening. What else are they good for, anyway? Pay up and shut up.
2024-08-13

Aruba Airport Airco
Not many, by now, are old enough to remember that Aruba's Juliana airport was built, everybody was raving about how great it was that no airco was applied: the wind was supposed to cool the building. I can't tell you how long that lasted.
Now we read that the failing airco system will cost the airport 100,000 florins, at a minimum. Also, many flights have been canceled or had to use Curaçao's Hato airport instead.
Which also was sold as needing no airco, but that changed even before the building was finished.
2024-08-12

Is It Legal?
Between Piscadera and Blauwbaai a beautiful lagoon has been filled with sand that was taken away from the beach, just like that. More things are going on there nobody knows anything about, and the owners are mum.
Nobody knows if there are permits for all this, and ROP spatial ordening and minister Bolo Mudbelly keep a discreet silence as well. As usual.
2024-08-12

Like Here
Gebe electricity utility of St. Maarten is called an extension of politicians—says PM Mercelina. And he ought to know. Which he blames for the fact that 4 out of 10 generators have gone kaput.
There is a parallel here with "our" Aqualectra, if you're paranoid enough. I sure am.
2024-08-12

Good Point; Maybe
Party PAR reminds us that the government may be concerned about air pollution, but about water and soil, not so much.
The too obvious come-back here is, not about air pollution either. Words are cheap.
2024-08-11

Will It Help?
Not one bit. Amigoe carries a full-page article on tourism, at long last pointing out it's not all so great.
But to answer my own question, no, it won't—not as long as we have those nincompoops pointing out our future. Like freshly beheaded chickens running around in a circle; as long as they can.
2024-08-11

Oh Well
We're not obliged to accept 100 guilder bank notes, of which fakes are around. At least, that's what finance minister Silly Bully says.
2024-08-10

It's Risky, Now
At least, so the Curaçao manufacturers say about the association with Caricom. Because foreign products which may now find a market here, may be cheaper.
You bet. And better as well.
A different sound from what we heard some days ago; but more realistic, let's face it.
2024-08-10

No More Gammon and Spinach
Cummon, Bolo Mudbelly: St. Maarten kicked the crutches from under you by granting Z-Air landing rights. No other course left now but to grant them to WinAir, as well.
Unless you find another twisted way out to trip up the competition.
2024-08-10

Not Yet
We all understand that finance minister Silly Bully hasn't got around to replying to (former PAR) MP Jesus-Leito's letter, insisting on a regulation to guarantee that account holders don't lose all their money when their bank goes bankrupt. Which arrangement is quite normal in non-banana countries, but here... just think Girobank and Ennia. It was supposed to have been introduced in 2023, but... She wants to hear what we can expect, also time-wise.
But let's take pity on Silly Bully. He's very busy with attracting gambl mafia and illegally condoning tax debts.
2024-08-09

Sort of Figures
In fact, it's the uncut reality. Global Oil patiently explains that those gas turbines for which Aqualectra wants, and gets, a lower tariff are meant to turn continuously. What Aqualectra wants is to have them turn a couple of hours per day, when their own highly vaunted scam schemes of "green" energy don't produce. Like, at night and when there's not enough wind. That costs, at least that's what Global claims, 18 million per gas turbine. Per how much time we don't get to hear.
So how long that lower tariff will last is anybody's guess.
2024-08-09

Oryx Denies
The companies accused of selling dirty oil (in some people's eyes an oxymoron) may have the name Oryx, but have nothing to do with the Qatar Oryx, that will exploit the Isla refinery.
Who could possibly know what's the truth here? Except maybe Oryx.
2024-08-09

Smart Guys
The importers are waiting for the effects of our Caricom membership, but their breaths are unbated. In fact, they don't expect it will have any effect you'd notice on import duties and, thus, consumers' prices.
2024-08-09

Really? Let Us Hope So
Buskabaai director Martina tells Antilliaans Dagblad that 5 years from now, the Asphalt Lake will, finally, be gone. The asphalt will be dug up and sold for road maintenance. (To Global Oil, by any chance?) The resulting holes will be filled with "clean soil"; where that comes from is anybody's guess. Another hill of our landscape gone, no doubt.
Antilliaans Dagblad adds that the asphalt is a residue of Shell's refinery process to produce jet fuel in WWII. Only, there were precious few jet planes around in that time.
2024-08-09

Leave It to Him
SER Social Economic Council states that finance minister Silly Bully's tax exemptions did not have any valid authorization. Big surprise, not. Tax laws do not authorize him to do so.
So what? It's the law... Only marks on paper.
SER wants these measures to be re-examined. Wanna bet? Won't happen.
2024-08-09

Far Ahead!
Who's complaining that we're running behind in the world? Here, plastic cutlery and maybe even those extremely dangerous pesky plastic toothpicks will soon be forbidden. But in the up-to-date USA that will take until 2027, or even 2035; and then only for federal operations.
And that's only in case Trump loses the coming elections.
2024-08-08

Very Weak
Excuses by DOW (under Bolo Mudbelly's ministry): because of the hurricane season it's very hard to get the, to put it mildly, necessary road improvements done.
We haven't had a single one; even all over the Atlantic there's been only one, Debby.
As far as I can find out, that is: Googling them only gets me predictions of how it will be extremely heavy this year. So much for that, up to now.
2024-08-08

Maybe Not So Good
GCB Gambling Control Board reports a substantial delay in handling new licenses for the mafia "industry". Good, you say? Wait... it's because of a deluge of applications which they can't handle. They increased their capacity from 10 to 20-30 applications per week, but as at least 1000 are coming in, that will take 8 months. Or perhaps more than a year.
2024-08-08

Well...
The Venezuelan opposition, who "lost" the recent presidential elections, got over 80% of the lists of outcomes for the voting bureaus, which they say prove that Maduro lost.
We knew that all the time. The trick is, how to do something about it.
George Lichtveld, in Antilliaans Dagblad, writes we should stand with the Venezuelans because "we are brothers"—Somos hermanos, pointing out how around 2500 BC the islands were populated from the continent. Come on, Lichtveld, that's not smart by half as you are: all those people have been moved away long since. Our people come from Africa and Europe. Except for the recent wave of illegals, true.
No argument that we should support those suckers who are now toppling their former hero Chávez's statues. Even if they asked for it.
2024-08-07

Maniacs
The Dutch Greenies are trying to get a law forbidding all "fossil advertising" [reclame]. Sorry, I think that's just plumb loony. It would include flying and synthetic clothing. I don't see cars mentioned, but no doubt they are.
As if you could build EV cars without using fossils. Dummies.
It's the former minister of energy, though, who started scientific research into the matter. The main conclusion of the scientists is, such a ban "is essential, but not sufficient."
To refresh your memory, that's the same clown who is totally behind the insane plans for wind generators producing hydrogen. But he's gone now.
2024-08-07

No! He Says
Bolo Mudbelly Cooper will not give WinAir more landing rights. I won't sum up his arguments, because they don't matter. It's NO and that's it.
WinAir has appealed.
2024-08-07

Just Keep in Mind Who Says So
It's Cooper! who assures the trade unions that both Global Oil and Oryx, in a later stage, will restart Isla's refining facilities. But first, the plant has to be upgraded.
The government has not been lying, says Cooper, without adding "for a change."
That will take three years, by which time Cooper may be out. At least, I hope so.
2024-08-07

After All
Global has decided not to raise the price for electricity, delivered to Aqualectra. We can all go on using our aircos without going bankrupt.
For now, because both Global and Aqualectra are waiting for a decision by RAC Regulatory Authority.
2024-08-07

In Short, "No"
In Amigoe, Ronald Lieuw analyzes the prices of energy as supplied by Aqualectra, to check if the much-vaunted wind energy has helped any in bringing them down.
The answer is No.
Prices have gone down between 2012 and 2017, but that was caused by fossil fuel prices going down. Since then, they have gone up and up. I can't follow the graph Lieuw shows as it contains unexplained abbreviations, but it's worth remembering that 2017 was the year when Aqualectra got serious in investing in wind generators. And still expanding. And planning on adding batteries. With the promise that in 2029 energy will be 12% cheaper than now.
Well may Lieuw wonder if this will become true. I, for one, again think, "No!" It won't. Mark my words.
And I hope I'm wrong.
2024-08-06

There As Well, Not
Cft financial supervision states that the budget for St. Maarten is not controllable. Without delving into the sordid details, it's one big mishmash.
2024-08-06

Aerials
In this sense, photographs: will be taken to check on OZB [real estate tax]. In 2024QII 70% of assessments have been imposed, but the remaining should be good for 45% of the total OZB income. The publicans, to quote the biblical term, are expected to send the proper owners their proper assessments before the year's end.
2024-08-06

Sure It Can
Separation of trash can "be better" says Selikor after an investigation of what's dumped in landfill Malpais. No doubt.
2024-08-06

More Good News
The Oryx Petroleum Groups, which (need I tell you?) just got a cheapo-bon-deal lease on the Isla refinery and Bullenbaai oil terminal is on a list of companies that sell "dirty" (= high sulfur) oil to African countries
Just what we needed.
2024-08-06

Ya Bet Your Ass
The Coast Guard is extra vigilant these days, after president Maduro "won" the Venezuelan elections. A lot more illegals are expected to try and escape to the ABC islands as a result, and who can blame them?
2024-08-06

Good? Depends
The Joint Court of Justice has overturned the bankruptcy of gambling house Dama. Seems Dama does have enough funds to pay the winning gamblers.
If Dama will do so is another question.
2024-08-05

Translation
SER social economic council has evaluated the temporary remediation packet of taxes and says that "its effectiveness cannot be determined with certainty."
Translated: It don't make no difference, mon. Exactly what we all were afraid off. Just bragging by Silly Bully, and the Tax "Service" goes messing on as has been its wont for many more years than I care to count.
Please prove me wrong?
2024-08-04

So?
Dutch consumers' union thinks internet tariffs in Holland are too high. Customers pay €30/month for a 100Mbit subscription, which is €10 more than the European average.
We pay (Flow) ANG118.26 for the same speed, which (today) equals €60.87.
Amigoe wonders if we need more competition or goverment regulations. Both won't help, not in our incestuous economy.
2024-08-03

All Bad News
Tell us about it. Antilliaans Dagblad sums up some effects the "victory" of Nicolás Maduro in the last Venezuelan president elections will have. In a nutshell, it will all grow worse and worse.
Holland and our beirded weardo PM are worried. That will help.
2024-08-03

For Now
The tariffs quarrel between Aqualectra and Global Oil has been delayed until September: next month. Big deal. It's only in October-November real supply problems start, with high heat and low winds.
2024-08-03

#TheyToo!
3 people of St. Maarten have been arrested because they were trying to buy votes for an MP, who alas isn't mentioned by name. Hir/hes office has been visited by the cops as well.
See? St. Maarten is really with it in international politics.
2024-08-02

For Sure
PNP social minister Larmonie-Cecilia is asked by M*F*K MP Nita, how about salaries in hotels? Looks like personnel often is heavily underpaid, not to mention other work conditions. As usual, government control is insufficient.
2024-08-02

Now for SXM
St. Maarten must try to accept the Ennia "solution" (where we're all gonna pay for 30 years) before next elections on August 19, or maybe Ennia will go bankrupt!
We will be paying 30 million/year and St. Maarten 2.3 million. We have about 150,000 inhabitants and St. Maarten 40,000. Looks like just a tiny bit unbalanced.
CBCS central bank will pay 15 million/year during 50 years. Which in fact can only mean we pay that as well.
2024-08-02

Don't Panic, Nicolás
The Mighty Kingdom doesn't accept Maduro's "win" in the rigged elections either. I'm sure he shakes in his shoes, especially after all the other countries that preceded the Netherlands. Or maybe he's too busy counting his money to shoe-shake.
2024-08-02

Electric School Buses: Another Grandiose Flop
Which won't stop our Bleaders going ahead with their Evil Plans. One more, from Maryland USA. First, they were going to replace 326 diesel buses with EVs, at a cost of $168,684,990. Or 517,439 per bus, which equals ANG936,564. However, those EVs managed to run only 280 times between Feb 22 and March 24, in which period they had almost 300 "operational failures." Meanwhile, what with one thing and another, costs went up even more. Among other things, because Maryland had to buy 90 diesel buses (shame!) to keep up with the problems; for $14,749,919 (or only ANG296,637) each.
So the EVs are about 3 times as expensive to buy. And then extra costs. Let's GO for them! and fight the global warming climate change.
2024-08-01

Oh, Great, But Not Unexpected
There will be no discussion on the plans for Caracasbaai development. Parliament head thought the matter was "not urgent." So shut up and piss off.
2024-08-01

Won't Help a Bit
Parliament will have a meeting on the Oryx-Isla refinery deel on August 3. They might as well save it; for all I understand, which admittedly isn't much with lack of info—that's transparency, folks!—the agreement has been signed and that's that.
The unions have little confidence in the promises that there won't be any pollution, because there won't be any refining activities. Let's see about that, is their understandable point of view.
2024-08-01

There Yes, Here Not
The Aruba court has stopped "building (c'est pas le mot juste) of a new beach for Hotel Embassy Suites. The case was started by ABC Aruba Birdlife Conversation. Beach and breakwaters are not allowed at that location under the ROPV. Which is similar to our EOP, but that is changed at will by our Bleaders. "Only marks on paper."
2024-08-01

'Course Not!
The government proposed to make Malpais landfill free for truckers during two months, in a (but that's just me?) futile effort to stop illegal trash dumping. It was supposed to start July 1.
But something funny happened: it never did.
Now Silly Vain started a workgroup to come to a solution, but even funnier: Seligor did not participate in its meeting(s).
2024-08-01

Out of the Way, You
The judge has ordered Bolo Mudbelly to come with a new proposal to solve the WinAir - Z-Air struggle for landing rights on the route SXM-CUR. Meant is, he has to give WinAir those landing rights. Per August 5.
On the other hand, one week later SXM must come across with a decision on Z-Air's landing rights. But that doesn't mean Z-Air wil get them.
2024-08-01

Big Deal
Curaçao has become an associate member of Caribbean Community Caricom, with 15 members and 6 associates. Very important! Maybe even more important than Parlatino.
2024-08-01

This Too Is Endemic
Not really; I suppose it goes on everywhere in the Caribbean. Now a large swath of mangroves has been removed at Sa. Cruz beach. Judging from the tracks, by a back-hoe loader. Nobody seems to have an inkling how it happened, which is rather shocking as it is a public beach used by fishermen as well.
Best guess is, someone plans to build something there, what else? For the tourists, is the next guess.
2024-07-31

Logical
Half of the people who rent from FKP social housing just don't pay their rents. Meanwhile, FKP has 5000 tenements and 8000 people on the waiting list. It's now in court, where the judge commented that as long as FKP does not kick the defaulters out, this will go on as per usual.
Do you need reminding that FKP is at least a government-associated instance? And there you go. What else to expect but incompetence and, dare I say it? what smells like outright fraud.
2024-07-31

There We Go
Aqualectra, who figured on obtaining extra capacity from the gas turbines of Isla Refinery, must pay a premium for that of 4 cents per kWh. Which is a lot and will result in us paying 5,2 cents more. But it sounds not that bad when we're told that's only 22% higher than what Aqualectra expected to pay.
Reason for the setback is, gas turbines are now exploited by Global Asphalt. Which is far from actually producing asphalt yet (not before end this year).
2024-07-30

For Once
KEM's (formerly FOOL's) Godett also thinks the radio plans for Staten are problematic. Only, he worries about the costs. It's sure to cost more than the old arrangement where private stations transmitted the meetings. And for once, he's not only right but I even have to agree.
2024-07-30

Wise Guy; But Not Smart
A man has been arrested because he used fake 100 guilder bills in a casino's gambling machines. The one place where they'll keep an eye peeled for this. Police found him with a "large amount" of more fake bank notes in his house.
2024-07-30

Not Here
Maduro lost by 218 votes against 15 for him among Venezolanos residing here. Except for the illegal ones, I have to guess. Those 15 probably were the embassy personnel's.
Venex Curaçao, a humanitary foundation, is afraid the probably fake Venezuelan result may result in riots—or worse.
Total votes count for 132%! Riots have started, Chávez statues are being toppled. The military seem to have joined the anti-Maduro fun; now wait for "or worse."
So much for our loudmouths who want closer ties with the Maduro regime.
2024-07-30

Don't Think So
Curaçao Nu has an article on today's Venezuelan elections, and seems to think the opposition party has a chance to win. (The name is not mentioned, only leader González.) Because the country is such a mess.
I call that naïve. All elections there have been rigged since before Maduro became president, and that will not change now.
And I hope I'm wrong.
Update: Both Maduro and González have declared victory. But even Maduro only claims he has 51% of the votes.
2024-07-29

Furiously Curious
Aren't you wondering as well what's going on with that new Curaçao coat-of-arms, or rather, logo? We don't hear a thing anymore. Has that "designer" been paid for her audacious plagiarism, which she even more brazenly denied?
Will we get another one?
Who Cares.
The rest is silence...
2024-07-28

Not Here...
In Israel, electricity prices are expected to drop by 5 to 20% as domestic consumers are now free to choose between Israel Electric Corporation and seven other private suppliers.
2024-07-26

Let Us Celebrate!
The five wind generators meant to enlarge the capacity of the Playa Canoa wind "farm" (sounds nice and green, huh?) have arrived already, sooner than expected.
Small wonder: factories have more and more problems finding customers for these monsters, but Aqualectra pigheadedly keeps its half-baked plans going.
2024-07-26

Leave it to Bolo!
Bolo Mudbelly's VVRP ministry is at it again? Between Piscadera and Blauwbaai excavation work is going on. Nobody knows if this is authorized or not. The terrain is owned, on paper, by a company that is not in the business register (any longer), but one with the same name Sterling Acquisition Corporation Limited exists in the Bahamas.
When there's mud, you can't see what's going on.
Cooper has twice avoided answering questions on the matter by Antilliaans Dagblad.
2024-07-26


Well They May Worry
PAR MP Croes has several questions on what is called a "beach" by the authorities, though it looks much more like a concrete swimming pool. People are worried they will lose their familiar beach to the tourists, but they are reassured that admittance will remain free.
Only, when you want a place to lie down on the sand concrete, you can't do even that: sure looks like you'll have to pay for a rented beach chair.
Ain't tourism great?
2024-07-26

They Know Better
The nitwits in our government disregard Cft financial supervision's on CMC hospital. In their unwiseness, they amended the budget which fails to ensure compliance with the Kingdom Act on Financial Supervision. If our Bleaders go ahead anyhow, there is a chance the kingdom will interfere.
2024-07-26

Forget It, With These Guys
Amigoe carries an article on introducing a code for good and sound government, with very good suggestions on how to get there. Only, we won't. One suggestion is, let's have a properly balanced budget. None of those governments of all colors has succeeded there; we may be excused to suspect they don't want to.
Like none of them will accept the final suggestion to accept a similar code used in Holland.
2024-07-25

No Reason to Refuse Winair Flights
SXM-CUR of course, blocked by Bolo Mudbelly. He's peed off because Sint Maarten hasn't given Z-Air landing rights, for which SXM does have reasons; like the Z-airplane still has to undergo tests. The judge tried to come to an arrangement, but that's useless with Cooper: no way his body will allow him to be flexible.
Which means that SXM passengers have to fly the AA route SXM-MIA-CUR, which takes 15 hours and costs 3 times as much. They're only citizens.
2024-07-25

Bully Boss
Minister Silly Bully Silvania has yet another plan that goes against the law. In our government, it's endemic. He sent a letter to CMC management that to get further support, the new director must be approved by the government. However, CMC's own statutes say that the function must be approved by CMC's board, and not by the minister or even the entire government.
Take that, Bully. Next step?
As CMC in a reaction remarks, the government is busy to try and blame CMC management for the incredible losses, which have in fact been caused by the mismanagement of three consecutive governments.
2024-07-25

Bolo's Discontent
One of our top governmental enemies, minister Cooper, is irate about the 15 "advises" sent in against the development of Baoase resort. Hint: the advises want to stop it.
Bolo Mudbelly said so on a party thrown by Baoase management to celebrate that a USA magazine listed the resort as one of the top destinations in the world. Another hint: these things cost money and will be published when you pay.
Bolo complains that many advises came from "non-locals" (just like the Baoase management, just saying) who think the EOP island development plan is a bible which should be followed. It's the law, Cooper; which we all are supposed to follow. Even the government.
2024-07-25

State Indoctrination
Staten/parliament probably is too obtuse to see this, but the plans to start their own radio station which will transmit its meetings is a possible step to 1984-ish conditions where the State will tell us what to listen to.
Color me paranoid.
2024-07-25

Waking Up from Woke?
Amigoe carries an almost full-page article headlined "Chance of a quick energy transition not very likely." Finally the media are getting the message?
All projects mean that energy tariffs will get higher, not lower; as I have been telling you so for years now. One example mentioned is, when the bus service will change to use of EV electric buses, a now 2 guilder ticket will become almost 6 guilders.
I don't feel the need to quote Amigoe extensively. Even Aqualectra seems to be changing its mulish headstrong ideas.
2024-07-24

Fine
Despite the great existing interest, Aqualectra has stopped public tender of new installations. Presumably, this means solar and wind. We may devotely wish that's so: Aqualectra says there's enough capacity on the island in the form of Isla refinery's gas turbines to cover power needs.
2024-07-24

Schadenfreude
I'll readily admit it, that's my feeling. On appeal, the court has decided that M*F*K's ex-PM Shorty cannot make use of his crowd-funded ORCO-Bank account. Shorty wanted to use the money to cover his 1.8 million ($1m) outstanding debt after an expropriation case stemming from his conviction for corruption in government service, money laundering and forgery.
2024-07-24

That Will Cost—Us, Who Else
Ombudsman presses the government to come across with a reply to the Den Haag court's verdict that all children must have access to clean drinking water, no matter if their parents can't pay for it. Aqualectra as a SOE must thus deliver such water, disregarding outstanding bills.
All good and well; it would mean we would pay for it. Which would be of little concern if we could be sure the parents won't go on using same water. Freely, in all senses of the word.
2024-07-24

Not as Bad as Expected?
Expectations weren't that great. OM public ministry announces in 2023 there were 2 cases of smuggling people and 9 of human trafficking; related crimes. The smuggling includes 3 children.
Anybody's guess where these people came from?
2024-07-24

She May Well Ask
MAN MP McWilliam has asked the government if parliament please can see the agreements between Isla refinery and Oryx Petroleum.
M*FK fraction opted for a parliament meeting on the same subject.
Why is this kept a secret? Can only makes us think it's too bad for words.
2024-07-24

Stupid Suckers
Another consequence of that great (in several meanings of the word?) growth of tourism. The dummies have to get rescued from climbing the Christoffel "mountain", by helicopter, an expensive operation. Now they are reported to go swimming outside the "safe" areas indicated by buoys etc., asking for problems with boats (if and when these do keep out of there). They also jump off the high rocks at Westpunt's Playa Forti and end up with broken limbs, not heeding the warnings.
Not all tourists are bad; I've been one myself but like to think I'm not that much of an *$$-hole.
2024-07-23

Of Course!
Tax income from Curaçao lotteries has gone steadily down during the last years, which even finance minister Silly Bully understands can only be because they've gone underground: "It's a 'possible' growth of the illegal lottery market." Ya think?
Receipts went down from 3.9 million guilders (QI + QII 2019) to 1.9 this year. Which has "great consequences" for the government's finances.
Come come. 2 million. A mere bagatel compared to what's thrown away.
2024-07-23

More Stench
Where's my nose-plug? Our honorable minister of economic development Centje does not want the forensic report on Aqualectra published. Which can only mean somebody, or bodies, are guilty of criminal acts. At least Centje's attitude is readily understandable: he looks likes an accessory.
Which we are not supposed to learn about. Just keep on paying.
2024-07-23

Pirates
A sailing yacht that got wrecked on Klein Curaçao was robbed empty, including the heavy engine, in a very short time after the French owner/sailer was saved by the Coast Guard. Witnesses tell the story that it was a concerted and coordinated effort by groups of fishermen.
Or is that sailor? Very moot point.
2024-07-22

Figures
The increasing tax compliance M*F*K finance minister Silly Bully was so contented aboyut has been decreasing again. Salary and OB sales tax declarations went down. So did OB payments, even while the number of taxpayers went up by 7.5%.
2024-07-22

Go! WinAir
WinAir went to court to try and force Curaçao to extend landing rights for more flights SXM-CUR, since JetAir crashed. For some reason, they didn't get them even though there now are many seats unavailable on that route.
Whom to blame? 3 Guesses...
2024-07-21

Whew...
A car was found by the cops, riddle with bullet holes and holding "a large quantity of marihuana." Otherwise, it was empty and efforts to find the owner have failed until now.
2024-07-20

Take That, Chong
More problems with those Titanic (a well-chosen denotation) floating wind turbines keep popping up.
To put a 2000-ton generator on a 500-foot tower ("ours" we're told will be much higher) with 300-foot wings on a boat, around England you need a 160,000 square feet float. That's about 15,000m² or 3 football fields. And around the UK, there are no hurricanes and max. wind force is 100 knots. Hurricanes reach 160 knots, almost 300 km/hr. 3 or maybe even 8 mooring anchor cables are needed. Not to mention that a hydrogen pipe is much harder to build than a power cable, which is problematic enough already.
This is all theory, as nobody has ever built such a monster before.
The article concludes: "Let's first see how and if it works and at what cost." Amen to that.
Those things are called "floaters," the same term the police applies to corpses found in the water. Just a coincidence, sure.
2024-07-20

No WOW by Oryx
The trade unions were not very impressed by Oryx's presentation about the refinery's future. Well, they wouldn't be, right? After all, we have already been told that it won't be a future as a refinery—just a storage and blending facility. With maybe 10 or 20% of former Isla workers getting a job there.
2024-07-20


contradictory headlines in Amigoe
Copy-Cat?
In St. Maarten shots have been fired at politician Arrindell, killing his wife. SXM will soon have new elections. It's what you can only call a bloody mess over there.
2024-07-20

On the Q.T.
Central Bank CBCS has forbidden a number of "smaller money institutions." They're all mentioned by name in while Antilliaans Dagblad, but I'll take that as read. You shouldn't be able to get any loans there any longer, in the first place.
2024-07-20

Appeal
Emsley Tromp, ex-director of CBCS central bank, has appealed his conviction of forgery, even though he was acquitted of other charges. He thinks his was a relatively minor offence.
On the other side, if Tromp appeals, so will the prosecution for the acquittal charges. More soap.
2024-07-20

Enough Is Basta
Of the 17 investigations handled by the Ombudsman in 2023, 10 were complaints against the VVRP ministry of Bolo Mudbelly Cooper.
Let's hope it helps. That crooked greaseball has to go.
Funny how it still is the Ombudsman, not Ombudsperson. An old friend became the ombudsman of Den Haag, Holland, but even though she was a female she was the Ombudsman.
2024-07-20

Who Cares
The destruction in Zakitó by Royal Holding Company, for monster apartment buildings and a marina, continues unbridled, even with a new petition delivered end of May to the governor.
Who has sent it on to the responsible ministry. That would be Cooper's, big surprise.
The petitioners have not released their document to the press, but if there's no official reaction coming, will do so during parliament recess. A fat lot of good that will do.
2024-07-19

Chaos, Shambles, Jumble and Turmoil
The Thesaurus lists even more words to describe the CMC new hospital mess. Nine ministers, ten governments and ten different parliaments have been involved with the project. Parliament is blamed for not having controlled the ministers, who made commitments without a budget or adequate resources.
Which is nothing but the usual state of affairs. Party change? Don't make no difference, mon.
2024-07-19

Worries
Cft financial supervision is worried about the proposed "Roadmap" which is supposed to result in a balanced an approved 2026 budget for Curaçao. Cft fears that the deal won't be achieved.
Whatever gives them that idea? They should stay positive!
Out of 11 projects 8 may be delayed; 1 has been delayed already. The 2021 deadline has been changed to 2026—in 2022!
2024-07-19

Hurray for IMF!
Amigoe's headline says "Well-meant advice." What they conclude is pretty frightening. For example, our labor productivity has gone down from over 115 (2001) to 80 (2021), where for some reason 2010 is counted as 100. Sorry, of course, that's when we grew independent, but rot had obviously set in before then.
Energy prices are mentioned as well as a negative factor. We can only agree.
Remedies? Apart from all sort of things the government has to do, which is hopeless anyway (do I need to explain?), we need to invest more in tourist facilities, and invest 0.6% of GNP in protecting our coast against rising sea level. Which nobody seems to have noticed much of, and we miss info from Havendienst's tide gauge.
The only thing I can agree with, IMF does not think we should invest still more in "green" energy.
2024-07-18

Shut Up, Man
Aruba has announced there will be no referendum on the Dutch High Court verdict that marriages between homosexuals are legal. But here, TPK MP Calmes keeps screaming that it proves that we may not take our own decisions. Colonialism!
To refresh your memory, the same guy who was recently arrested for fraud in his party financing.
2024-07-18

Aw, Who Cares?
PAR MP Jesus-Leito wants a parliament meeting on the Oryx refinery deal. But she doesn't get enough members to sign her request.
2024-07-18

Nice Going
GI-RO Settlement Holding (to do with the Girobank debacle) is paying a government loan back in half the time. Good news! say board members Domhoff and Bakhuis; the people who had an account at Girobank get their money back much sooner than expected.
Not at all such good news, though: they get only 10% of their account balance.
2024-07-18

Weird's the Word
With complaints all over about the housing shortage, which have been going for many tens of years now, the questions around FKP social housing begin to sound almost insane. For one thing, while ten years ago over 5000 of FKP houses were empty, now it's almost 9000. Not to mention those houses declared unsafe to live in.
VVRP (Bolo Mudbelly's department) gives FKP a 5 million subsidy, which is nowhere near enough to cover costs. On the other hand, FKP has failed to collect almost 60 million in rentals.
A good question is why FKP some years ago deposited 19 million on the since then bankrupted Girobank (which went under in a cloud of corruption), instead of investing that money in maintenance. And the financial manager, appointed to prevent such happenings, has been fired by the (politically appointed) board members.
The total impression is, FKP is a bureaucratic mess and while Antilliaans Dagblad avoids mentioning that aspect of the matter, sadly that almost certainly means there's corruption, fraud and stealing going on.
2024-07-17

The Sluice Is Open
The portal for gambling licenses has been reopened. Welcome, Mafiosi of the World! The government thinks this can be done under the new LOK law, which hasn't even passed Parliament yet. Not to mention that it's highly doubtable if the Kingdom will stand for it.
2024-07-16

Is this a Joke?
Selikor announces the start of cleaning up the main roads (only, is my guess) in several neighborhoods. Starting with Bandariba, the Eastern part.
We're told that roads are cleaned once a year (from now on?) That easily explains why they're so filthy, without blaming the people.
2024-07-16

Big Deal
Venezuela's crude oil production is back at the 2019 level of 851,000 bpd, which is 21,000 barrels higher than in June.
AQ far cry from 2015 when it was 2.4 million bpd. You can only blame the belated reaction to the measures of dictator Chávez, as he expired in 2013.
2024-07-16

Always Fighting
Now it's JetAir. Owner Ribeiro wanted a different deal than the bankruptcy curators. Who cares about the details? But it guarantees that a start-through will not be possible.
2024-07-16

Obviously, What Else?
The travel budget for MPs, yearly 595,000 guilders (=$327k) is exhausted already. Small wonder.
Obviously, says M*FK parliament head America-Francisca, this means the budget must be re-evaluated. The high costs were mainly caused by travels to Colombia for the Mi Casa Ya project and to Holland for the Intertraffic exchange. Both by the permanent VVRP-committee.
Ultimately, that's our friend Bolo Mudbelly's club. He again. Why not re-evaluate him? Re? Seriously, has he ever been evaluated?
Translation for those innocents who don't understand parliamentary parliance: "Re-evaluated" means, it must become higher.
2024-07-15

Leave It to Them
1500 people who live in FKP social houses are in actual danger because of building defects. One of the problems here is, there are no decent norms for what may and may not be built.
Nice huh? The applicable law dates from 1935.
In case you wonder, with "them" I mean our Bleeders of course.
2024-07-15

Oh, Don't Worry
Central Bank says there's no need to refuse 100 guilder notes. The number of false ones is very small compared to the total number in circulation. Only 40 have been delivered to CBCS, and the police have another 10. So it's perfectly all right.
Too bad if you get stuck with one.
2024-07-15

Surprise!
Only MAN and PAR have handed in their year reports and annual accounts with the ER Electoral Council. If these are correct I wouldn't know. Soab government accounting bureau will check.
Other parties did not.
2024-07-14

No Surprise!
Why would Venezuela's Maduro care about crude oil? His narco-state and narco-army make plenty of money by supplying the US market with cocaine. And corrupting many people over there in one fell swoop.
2024-07-14

That's That
Dutch Hoge Raad supreme court has decided that homosexuals may marry just like everybody else, if they wish. The country, our Big Leaders AKA Bleeders, says they have to look into what the consequences are for us here.
Those seem pretty clear: stop all that nonsense and let 'em! Who cares.
2024-07-13

Childish Fights
Because WinAir may not extend their flights SXM-CUR v.v., Z-Air does not get extra landing rights on SXM. Thank Bolo Mudbelly for all that, who seemed to hope against all reason that JetAir would get a re-start.
2024-07-13

G'Bye!
JetAir's bankruptcy has been confirmed in court last Wednesday. At least it will not cost us tax money. Personnel did not get their salaries over the last month, nor will the passengers who bought no-good tickets be paid back.
2024-07-13

For How Long More?
CTB announces full of pride that the number of June arrivals went up by 13% compared to last year. All-over the first half year's growth was 27%. Ain't that great? No, not everybody thinks so.
But don't despair? Amigoe also writes that tickets €U-CUR may double in price, which "may result in a substantial lower numer of tourists." You betcha it may.
2024-07-12

More Good News
Quote: BEV sales have been so bad that Korean battery makers who bet the farm on a US EV boom are now teetering on the edge of annihilation (thanks to "disappointing EV sales").
Say, how about that factory we have been "promised" here?
2024-07-12

We Noticed
Inflation in 2024-I has been 3%, which is higher than the interest the banks pay on your savings account. Of which the Tax grabs a share.
2024-07-12

But We Do Pay
SVBZ bureau medical expenses resources needs over 1 million guilders to pay the rent. The government doesn't come through. By now a familiar story.
But if you don't pay the amount the Tax Person says you must to SVBZ, watch it.
2024-07-12

Live Longer, Get Pension Later
Even though MP Osepa does not want to raise the age limit for AOW welfare pension once again, now to 67 years, the advisors say it's necessary to avoid the system becoming untenable. What with later deaths all over (2.5 years later than in 2013). Not a word about raising the pension itself.
But I take those wise advisors with an enormous heap of salt, as they also point out how well China did by limiting the number of children to one per family. Something China has been winding back the last years.
2024-07-12

Stupid Plan
SER social-economic council is not glad with the plans to sell FKP social building houses to relieve their financial problems. It's not even Bolo Mudbelly's idea, as you might expect, but a proposal by opposition party PAR. Those houses will have to be renovated before selling them, and income may therefore be negligible.
2024-07-12

Please Do
We have a new state secretary for kingdom relations; a PVV member. He promises a new wind will start blowing. I won't get popular by saying so, but that's high time, especially since the awful van Hufteren he replaces.
2024-07-12

Welcome!
A Yola boat was intercepted on its way to Curaçao with 43 "undocumented" passengers aboard. From the [photo, they must have been pretty desperate to join this (admittedly short) voyage; the boat has three benches of less than 2 meters wide. Must have been chock-full (even though even more passengers have been found on such boats).
2024-07-12

Please, Not Again
It looks like JetAir passengers can say goodbye to money paid for tickets that turned out to be worthless with the sudden demise of the company. The "possible restart" looks nowhere in sight; from here at least.
According to Curaçao Chronicle, Bolo Mudbelly says, the government has "not yet" received a formal request for financial support, and emphasized "the government will not allocate financial resources to airlines and will not be directly involved in their operations." A welcome change—if not a lie.
Owner Ribeiro withdrew his offer to sell all shares to charter company United Caribbean Airlines—for 1 dollar only. Following that act, the bankruptcy of that company is now final as well.
It looks like all 50 JetAir personnel will now be fired..
2024-07-12

Dilemma
In Holland, it's now definitely illegal to deprive children of drinking water. Here, we read, every week one household is cut off by Aqualectra. Can't go on.
On the other hand... Yes, we know. The non-payers, with kids or not, as a class definitely tend to show anti-social behavior.
2024-07-11

Doesn't Mean a Thing
In 1 of 10 accidents, a right-hand-drive car was involved. As Antilliaans Dagblad rightly remarks, without anybody seeming to know how many cars have right-hand drive, it doesn't tell us much. It's suspect, true; driving around it looks like there's many less of those on the road.
2024-07-11

Only 228 Keys
Once more a go-fast has been intercepted by our intrepid Royal Dutch Navy. This one had 8 crew members and 228 kilos of cocaine on board. The crew has been consigned to the US Coast Guard.
2024-07-11

Can't Judge on That
After Huurman's plea to have the Kingdom pay up for the excessive costs of new hospital (which has the disadvantage of the guilty parties escaping scot-free) another voice pleads for changing our health system to the Dutch one instead. As that would largely get rid of SVB it's an attractive proposition; with obvious drawbacks as well.
Anyway, it will never happen. Nos mes por!
2024-07-11

Air Trouble Brewing
Z-Air, formerly EZ-Air started a court case against St. Maarten to get landing rights. These have been refused, which Bolo Mudbelly thinks quite logical. "It's called reciprocity," he explains, proudly showing off his knowing words of more than two syllable. Reciprocal can only refer to refusing CUR landing rights to WinAir, for which ultimately Cooper himself is responsible.
2024-07-11

Old Reliable
One of our top Natural Resources, and do we need them as they are scarce, Marguérite Nahar, opines in Amigoe that our present government is just about the worst we ever had. Which is saying something.
Her latest tirade goes on about the Oryx refinery deal; she says she has seen 3 reports which conclude that the refinery is "beyond repair." So all opposition protests against the deal are vain, and they know it; and the deal only serves to enrich a Qatar sheik. [And who knows who else, though she doesn't say that.] While we've as good as given away one of our resting Natural Resources, i.c. Bullenbaai oil terminal.
Then it's Silly Bully's turn, who thinks he doesn't have to mind the Dutch High Court conclusions that the gambling sub-licenses are illegal; he just goes on as he likes and keeps welcoming the mafiosi in.
2024-07-10

Sure, There's a Need There
Parliament members may be excused for sending "a [how?] large delegation" to Panamá for yet another Parlatino conference; this one largely on artificial intelligence, AI. As they lack intelligence themselves, it figures they would be interested, if only for the eventual good for the country.
No, I went too far there. They wouldn't take any interest in that. Out of character.

2024-07-10


Plain Disgusting
Amigoe publishes the table above, showing differences in AOW old age welfare between the islands. (Source is SVB CAS Landen and RCN.) I may have mentioned this before, maybe in passing: it's shameful. And no good blaming one particular party for it, they're all guilty as hell. To refresh your memory, below a list of the parties-in-power, with their MPs, since 2013; the last year when AOW has been adapted:
PS™, Ingvar Arsjes — PS&Trade;, Ben Whiteman — MAN, Hensley Koeiman — M*F*K Prick Pias — PAR Bhillenaath — M*F*K Prick Pias.
They and their henchmenpersons. All the same, all guilty.
2024-07-10

We Can Only Hope
Central Bank CBCS has learned a lesson from the Girobank and Ennia debacles. They say. Long after it was needed, and we're still stuck with their crummy ways to correct for them. For which we will pay, who else?
2024-07-10

Sht... We're Not Ripe Yet
The plans for the Waterfort Plaza Horror have been presented to the government. But not to us! "The APC [pension fund] has not yet announced when additional details about the zoning plan for the Plaza Hotel will be shared" writes Curaçao Chronicle.
After all, why should we plebs care how our living environment is ruined?
Yes, pardon me, I'm pessimistic. Very much so.
2024-07-10

Such Are Our Leaders
Minister of economic development Centje oops Cijntje wanted to visit the Hak'e Summer Festival with three companions, but only had tickets for two. So the third one, a security agent, was not admitted. Which resulted in a brawl where Centje verbally and physically assaulted a female employee of the festival. Who later filed a complaint with the police.
She must be out of her mind! Who's Boss here? Huh?
"The community awaits further updates." So do I.
2024-07-08

Insured Only
One in four car drivers were involved in a road accident last year. But that applies to insured drivers only. One can only guess that there are many more uninsured accidents, which never get officially recognized.
The number of insured drivers dropped from 92,000 in 2019 to 86,000 last year. Which seems much more than the population drain would indicate.
2024-07-08

Plans? No... Not Now
While demolishing the Plaza Waterfort monstrosity has started, Bolo Mudbelly Cooper says there is a Master Plan to replace it (with a still worse atrocity). Only, he doesn't let us see it.
It's called "Road 2 Plaza" (so with it!) which only brings back memories of the old high-camp Bing Crosby-Bob Hope-Dorothy Lamour comedies. Which were spoofs.
2024-07-08

Her Penny
Ex-PM PNP member Liberia-Peters says the people are the owners of Isla refinery, and signing lease agreements with Oryx Petroleum without having parliament agree can't be done. She claims that, back in the 1980s, she did involve parliament in her negotiations on the refinery with Venezuela.
Maybe so, but she, with Crook Hook, still managed to force a deal down our throats that ultimately led to the disaster with which we're stuck now.
2024-07-08

That's Telling Him!
But it won't help. A letter to Amigoe sums up a number of the rotten no-good deals former minister Ferreira saddled us with. (He isn't mentioned by name, but it does say he's got a Portuguese name.) First, he raised the OB sales tax on luxury items which supposedly aren't good for us to 9%. Like pre-packed food, "junk" food, ice-cream. Consumption hasn't gone down (which reminds me) but government receipts went up. Predictably, prices went up even more, fast-food combos from 12 to 18.50 guilders.
He also replaced the property tax with much higher OZB, with the stipulation it would automatically be raised every 5 years. Which the judge put a stop to.
And no good blaming Bolo Mudbelly Cooper from moving the car tax income to "general means", resulting in the deplorable state our roads are in now. It was the same Ferreira.
Who's now working for CBCS central bank.
The letter doesn't mention the expensive total security cameras flop. Technically it was PIAS minister Navarro, who's responsible for that one. It's all the same.
2024-07-07

That's Some Commission!
The parliamentary inquest on the costs of HNO new hospital, now CMC, hasn't been able to figure out how much that monstrosity has actually cost. Main reason for the expenses is the location change from old Amstel brewery to Otrabanda during the Whiteman cabinet (who also did so fine with the Isla refinery scrap heap). But we can totally agree with one conclusion of these wise guys: "It's most urgent that on a short term a solution must be found how to make the hospital profitable in a future-proof manner."
Ex health inspector Jan Huurman offers a solution: transfer the burden to Holland. Main objection, no matter how solid this advice is (there's just no other solution), as he himself indicates: legally this is relatively simple, but politically?
I already hear the regular nitwits screaming Nos mes por! Sure, we've seen by now what we can do ourselves.
Mark: "Monstrosity" is about the way the building was realized, not about the building itself.
2024-07-06

Good?
Port of Rotterdam is willing to cooperate in developing industries in the Isla refinery area. Like perhaps coke packing facilities, seeing how much of that is handled here on its merry way to Rotterdam? Might be preferable to cluttering up all that space with solar panels and fire-prone batteries. Also, that would really pay! Just a suggestion.
2024-07-05

Will It Help? Don't Count on It
SER social-economic counsel says that finance minister Silly Bully definitely exceeded of his authority by his remission of tax debts. There was no legal base for his actions. SER proposes to formalize only new tax remediation measures
But if this will be followed up is a very different question. After all, anarchy reigns and our government does as it wishes.
2024-07-05

Good Point? Pias decides!
MAN and PIN parties blame our PM that we have lost the refinery, as such. We've had one for a century and they're sorry to see it go, to be replaced by a quite different facility. M*F*K PM Pik Pias has sold us out, as he himself admits, in secret deals with Oryx Petroleum's owner.
Not everybody would agree; but still, the 1000 workers who had a job at the former refinery will be reduced to 260. Nevertheless, Oryx states that after a 3-year evaluation period it will be decided if the refinery will, after upgrading, reboot as a refinery.
Pias says Oryyx will invest $16m/year during 5 years but Oryx mentions no such amount. Only that the lease sum will be $15m/year.


Holy Tula Desecrated?
No, it didn't happen. But there was a fight over Dutch teacher Gerrit Sabel who was murdered by the Tula gang, and who according to some spoil-sports should have been included in the memorials, as being a victim as well.
But relax, he wasn't. After all, he was killed and tortured, but the details were largely fictitious, as written down by history teacher Cornelis Goslinga. In contradistinction, Tula's words were recorded by father Schink—whose report seems highly doubtful and very romanticized to me.
2024-07-05

Wonderful Cruise
Boy, did they have fun! On a Carnival cruise a fight broke out between 6 female passengers, hurling chairs at each other. Security guards had enormous difficulty to stop the vulgar brawl. "This is just what happens at 3 in the morning when you got a bunch of drunk girls from Tampa," commented the guy who shot it on video.
2024-07-05

Just a Quote
"Globally, we spent almost $2 trillion in 2023 to try to force an energy transition. Over the past decade, solar and wind energy use has soared to record levels. But that hasn’t reduced fossil-fuel use, which increased even more over the same period."
Let's hope this makes us think a bit.
2024-07-04

Better Give Up
Shell Nederland NV plans to pause construction work at one of Europe's largest biofuel production facilities (in Rotterdam), as the market sags. Not to say, collapses. BP has announced stopping 2 biofuel projects last week, and Shell stopped hydrogen plans earlier this year.
But we here can't seem to take the hint.
2024-07-04

Three Months
Oryx Petroleum plans to start actual activities in the Isla Refinery three months from now. But that will only involve storage, mixing and distribution of crude oil and refined products.
If refinery activities will follow later is denied. May depend on the results of the 3 months' review.
But PAR party wants a parliament meeting on the agreement, as they claim that the lease price is much too low and makes them wonder what positive results this will have for the economy.
2024-07-04

Convicted But No Jail
Former CBCS central bank director Trump and his cooperator Lourents have been found guilty of fraud. They have been acquitted of all other charges, like corruption, bribery and money laundering. They both received suspended jail sentences, and have two weeks to appeal.
2024-07-04

Get Your Respirator Ready
Oryx Petroleum and Isla refinery plan to start activities in December this year.
They keep talking about "the facility in Emmastad"; as if the refinery isn't much larger than that village.
But better watch it. The first three years will be used for "detailed technical, economic and environment observations" after which it will be decided what's needed to make the refinery comply with the 2021 High Court verdict that the refinery may not operate under less than the WHO requirements.
Do we have to read this as, the refinery will operate for three years as-is, after which it will take more time to make it comply? One fears the worst.
Talk is about investments of $70m in the coming 5 years.
2024-07-03

Game Changer
The Louisiana Federal Court has decided that the export ban on LNG, imposed by president Biden and 'his' department of energy, is unlawful and must be ended. This not only applies to Louisiana, but to a coalition of 16 states. Commented judge Cain "it is completely without reason or logic and is perhaps the epiphany of ideocracy."
This will have its consequences for the price of LNG on the market. And maybe even for Isla refinery's "terrific" plans?
2024-07-02

Sounds Great?
Oryx Petroleum, now that the agreement with Isla refinery has been signed, expects to invest over $70m in the next 5 years. together with local stakeholders. Which is the government. And which is a far cry from the much higher amounts needed we've been hearing about earlier. "Oryx is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of environmental and operational safety" we read in Curaçao Chronicle. Costs nothing to say that.
What can we do but wait and see?
2024-07-02

That's Really Rich
Norwegian Statkraft, the largest European wind and solar builder, is shrinking its growth efforts. Reason why? "Higher costs and lower electricity prices [...] are compromising the profitability of these projects."
Translation: if electricity doesn't get more expensive, these wind and solar generators lose money. Got it. Loud and clear.
2024-07-01

Hope Some Will Get to Their Senses
The costs of offshore wind development "are skyrocketing" and even "massive government subsidies and ratepayer hikes won't be enough to foot the ever-growing bill." Since 2021 the spike in Danish offshore wind production has been $6.7 billion, says a PricewaterhouseCooper study.
But who cares, as long as the Kingdom pays for that insane hydrogen project, and we can pick up the crumbs falling besides the plate? And then, you and me suckers will have to pay it all back. Including those crumbs.
2024-07-01

Wait a Bit
You're on Curaçao here... The new Caribbean Guilder will not be introduced before August 22. But it will onkly start as a valid coin for payments in March 2025.
Just now when I was holding my breath.
2024-07-01

I Don't Know, Don't You Know
Antilliaans Dagblad gets all excited because the Pisas Gang of Crooks, AKA the government, has silently and on the sly given the gas station holders a higher margin of profit. It's now 19.7 cents per liter, "almost 20 cents!" shrieks AD. Which really is not exorbitant, not even 10% of the sales price.
Why this had to be covered up still is a good question.
2024-07-01

Fine with Me
Venezuelan dictator Maduro is pissed off because no permission has been granted for the training vessel Simón Bolivar to visit Curaçao next Wednesday. Colonialism! A declaration of War!
Aww, shut up, Maduro. Or send a real man'o'war. (He can't possibly.)
2024-07-01

Oh, Really?
RdK/Isla refinery announces that next week, an agreement will be signed with Hong Kong's Oryx Petroleum Ltd., which will take over refinery and Bullenbaai oil terminal for 30 years. Oryx is owned by a Qatar national.
Depending on what happens with environmental laws, this would, to me, be much preferable to ever more tourism.
2024-06-29

Flow Outflow
Flow telecommunications is in trouble. They want to save 8 million guilders (a year, I guess) in operating costs, but the unions say that's impossible as there already have been "tens of percents" cuts since the company took over UTS in 2017.
8 to 10 percent of personnel may have to go; that's about 20 persons out of 250.
2024-06-292024-06-29

That's Better
On Bonaire a plant Fuse Caribbean has started up, where collected plastic trash is transformed into Ekoduro building material. Will be sold locally there.
Why not here is anybody's guess. Maybe there'll be a follow-up later?
2024-06-29

Don't Tell Us
Tell the guys who are in the government. Tourism may result in money coming in, but the Covid epidemic [once more] showed how important a diversified economy is. Says a CBCS central bank report.
Too bad it goes on to advise investing more in renewable energy.
2024-06-29

Bores
Again, some group of fanatics has asked Parliament head America-Francisca to start a discussion on Curaçao's de-colonization process in the UN. An earlier request in April was not reacted to.
This repeats itself every so often, while when it really gets through to the United Nations, the reaction is, simplified, that there is nothing left to de-colonize. A waste of energy. And most probably money, as well.
2024-06-29

Free Again
MP Calmes has been sent home, and his two collaborators as well. But they're all still suspects.
What we get to read is, his partner's salary as a parliament-fraction assistant was based on her former job with a bank. Only it wasn't: he claimed she earned more there than she did. And was found out.
2024-06-29

Beg Pardon
The Campo Alegre is only 7.7 hectare, not 77. Was a typo in my source.
2024-06-29

False Start
June, the first month of the predicted Hurricane Season from Hell is almost over. No business resulted. But better mind the old rhyme: "June, too soon; July, stand by; August, come they must; September, remember; October, all over."
2024-06-28

3000 Keys
Intercepted by the Kustwacht coast guard from a go-fast end of May. Why they only deem fit to tell us now is everybody's guess. This time, nobody was killed in the process.
Brings the total of interceptions since April to 5.
2024-06-28

Pimp Government
While M*F*K Prick Pias admits that his party in the election campaign promised the Campo Alegre bordello would be reopened (so that's why they won?!), he now says he'd prefer the name Kunuku Hatún; but still considers reopening it as a whoring center anyway.
Complete with gun and drugs dealing and money laundering, one can only presume. Bring back the good ole times. Wholesome entertainment for the masses.
But other options for the 72 hectare [118 acres] terrain are a seniors residential and care center or a digital hub—which gobbles power; Go Green!
My money is on, it will reopen as a bordello. Any takers?
2024-06-28

Fire!
A lithium-ion battery factory in South Korea has blown up, killing most people in it.
Which reminds me.
Say, exactly where is this Curaçao factory planned?
2024-06-27

Lock Them Up!
The National Detective Agency arrested 3 people, among which one member of parliament. Forgery, once again, and in the case of MP Rennox Calmes, fraud: "Forgery of pay slips." Further arrests are not ruled out.
Why stop there? Lock 'em all up!
2024-06-27

There's No Way
CBCS central bank thinks that tourism should be made "more resilient." How that could be done, nobody anywhere has ever found out yet. In fact, our promoters are busy digging tourism's own grave.
And "resilient" doesn't mean "sustainable"—I can only guess.
2024-06-27

For Sure
As tax assessments are more and more often imposed automatically, that results in more and more objections. (Can only mean that the automatic system is in favor of the tax person, not the tax payer, let alone be in balance.) Now Silly Bully asks Tax Boss Isenia how he thinks his awful department will handle this.
Answer can only be, "No Way." But I admit I'm prejudiced.
2024-06-26

Subsidies?
Yes, more subsidies for "sustainable energy projects" are announced. By van Hufteren, who's still clinging to her post as state secretary.
Make one wonder why these projects, if they're so economically viable as we keep being told, need subsidies at all. Good question, huh? I can't answer it.
2024-06-26

It's a Secrick
How Popeye would call it. Newton of RdK Isla has held a KvK chamber of commerce presentation on the great plans to give the refinery new life and to promote our economy. However, when Antilliaans Dagblad made 3 efforts to find out what Newton actually said, in order to report on it, KvK sent him on to RdK who preferred to remain "sotto voce and the silent tomb" (that's a quote).
Time to repeat that RdK is a government-owned company and should be held publicly responsible for its actions. Not with these clowns in government, though.
2024-06-26

Terrific, Huh?
That refinery's masterplan to start a plant to process LNG was called "terrific" by PM Pias not even 6 weeks ago. As we know already, another flop.
2024-06-26

Consequently
Once again, there are fake 100 guilder notes in circulation. As a result, businesses have started refusing to accept any 100 guilder notes. Best part is, the banks advise them to do so. While they still keep saddling their clients with them.
You're not surprised? Neither am I.
2024-06-26

Of Course! That's Why!
WinAir may not expand flights SXM-CUR. Now we learn why: because there seems to be a sucker who's ready to take over the JetAir wreck.
If all creditors agree, the judge can turn the bankruptcy around and the "winner" of "several candidates" (really? just like for the refinery!) can restart the company, which the government and curators agree is in the public interest. How long all that will take? May depend on who's paying whom.
If "all" creditors include those who paid for a ticket 3 days before JetAir went belly-up I couldn't say.
2024-06-25

It Just Goes On
Aqualectra utility has cut off power to 4 business establishments, who were illegally tapping off water and electricity. AKA stealing.
They must pay up all they own in full before getting their connection back. No payment plans are offered.
2024-06-25

Good Question; Here's the Answer
MP Croes asks minister Cijntje if he can't do better than promote tourism, as it tends to drive up prices for us suckers here. Also, he asks that when Ali Baba's cavern (e.g. the government coffer) is chock-full of loot, can't something be done to alleviate the people's troubles?
No Croes, we need the money for other, if not better, purposes.
2024-06-25

LNG Too Expensive
The jubilated plans to open an LNG plant have been put on hold, due to the rising Liquid Natural Gas price (caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict).
That the USA exports of LNG are limited by the present administration no doubt is another factor, but seems not worth mentioning.
2024-06-25

Is that Right
The number of visitors to Klein Curaçao must be limited to prevent even further deterioration.
The way this is presented as a solution, it looks like those already organizing trips to the place will get a monopoly; no new operators will be tolerated. And will that help?
2024-06-25

Oh, No!
Ribeiro, in a letter he sent out to the media, writes that if the government only had given the "right" support to JetAir, the company would still be alive.
We've seen that in the past. Remember ALM? DCA? InselAir? Get lost, Ribeiro! and do it fast.
He makes one good point, though: one reason for JetAir's failure no doubt is FAA's degrading of Hato Airport status. Hey Bolo Mudbelly Cooper, once again even your stomach is smaller than your big fat mouth. How much more time will it take?
2024-06-25

Arbitrary? or Worse
WinAir may not execute their extended flight plans for longer than 2 weeks. Is decided by Curaçao air authorities.
Why, is anybody's guess. It's not as if there was any competition on the routes SXM-(AUA-BON)-CUR, nor are there any legal reasons.
2024-06-24

Not Hardly Enough
That's only what I figure. In the coming years, the kingdom government must spend €150 million on wind generators, solar panels and batteries on the BES islands. To reduce CO₂ "pollution"—about which more and more doubts creep in if it's really pollution.
No matter; according to some sources, the batteries Curaçao's Aqualectra alone plans to install would cost more than that, $180 million. We can only hope that, for once, the planners are right.
2024-06-24

Rinse and Repeat: New Bateria León!
Most of us have managed to forget that disastrous enterprise, when car owners were surprised when you told them that in other countries, it was quite normal for car batteries to last for more than a year. And because of import stops on decent brands, you couldn't buy those, so smart people started using marine batteries. You see, our great leaders were protecting our industry—and forgot to protect us.
Even worse, SCMT Energy is supposed to make batteries for EV electric vehicles; just when all over the world (even communist China) car makers are forced to reduce producing those as most buyers just don't turn out to want them.
2024-06-24

At Once!
The government will start actions "at once" to stop the illegal removal of vegetation on Klein Curaçao. Which means, they have begun preparing to start at once.
This while Sea Turtle Conservation Curaçao had sent a warning letter; without getting a reaction for 2 weeks.
2024-06-23

Think About It
By now all of us have heard about the new hype: Artificial Intelligence. What is not so well-known, as yet, is that is a real energy hog. Those AI centers will easily consume 30MW of energy. And by the way you know, the same applies to Data Centers as planned almost everywhere, even here, and crypto currency operations like Bitcoin. They all consume power like maniacs.
Which means we can forget about the (not so fast) coming of the "energy transition." Aqualectra still seems to believe switching to wind, solar and batteries is cheaper than burning fossil fuels, let alone nuclear power stations; and so does Dutch TNO which used to be a solid source of science application. They still believe that MP Chong's dream of producing hydrogen with giant floating wind generators is feasible. Well, Japan just gave up on those plans following the Fukushima non-disaster, even though Maine, USA is still trying to get it done—against all probability.
Sorry, can't resist: AI versus NS: Natural Stupidity.
And oh yeah, Aqualectra wants, or already has, 30MW of "green" power, and we found out that backing that up will cost $600,000/MW, or $180 million in batteries. Or 326 million Caribbean guilders.
But maybe I'm all wrong. Then again, maybe not. As we're promised to get €272m in support from the Mighty Kingdom, that won't get us very far. So be prepared to pay up.
2024-06-22

Clear Now?
The Den Haag high court states, in further explanation of minister M*F*K MP Braam's verdict, that even though the judge decided not to lock him up, he was still convicted as guilty. Just so we know where we all stand.
2024-06-22

That's a Relief
Most of the tax collector's income comes from small and medium-sized businesses, and the plan is to give the thumbscrews one more turn. But "it's surely not the intention to ruin enterprises by unreasonably high redemption obligations." We may not be aware of it, but the tax persons are hard at work to improve their client service. You bet we're not aware.
2024-06-22

It's a Thought
There are rumors large amounts of money have been moved out of JetAir before it went bankrupt, but the bankruptcy curators say they have no found indications to confirm that "yet." The investigations haven't even started "yet."
Frankly, I shouldn't wonder at all.
2024-06-22

Who Cares
The ruination of Klein Curaçao, next item, is being done by Curazoleños, so-called Yu'i Kòrsow. You can't avoid getting the impression that many of these couldn't care less about the destruction of their own surroundings.
Here's a photo of the Casha divers team which recently removed 160 kilograms of trash from Boca Samí's sea bottom. I count 21 honkies/crackers/whities AKA ligvellige and 3 "people of color". SAD!
2024-06-21

It's Endemic
You may also say, it's our culture! Now on Klein Curaçao, where minister Cooper has promised, for what that's worth—not much—that no building will take place before a €U development plan is ready. (Which makes us fear the worst anyway.)
But who cares? Plots have been "cleaned" by Curaçao people, which in local lingo means total removal of all vegetation, including that by the water line, where sea turtles lay eggs.
Also, this may result in beaches getting washed away. Great for tourism!
2024-06-21

There We Go... Again?
PM Bearded Weirdo Prick Pisas has to tell us that there is interest in taking over JetAir's licenses. One is a Brazilian company, and the other a local one.
Oh, sell them to Brazil already, what do we care. Maybe that one will keep flying for a while.
2024-06-21

We Need a Good Laugh, Here It Is
Venezuela's president Maduro is opening a new ministry to take care of all the Venezuelan emigrants who wish to return to his social paradise.
We can be sure there will be lots of them. After Maduro leaves. Fat chance.
Not so funny for the emigrants, true.
2024-06-20

Now They're Worried
The developers of Baose Resort worry that the protests from surrounding residents, and others, will delay further plans. No worries though, Bolo Mudbelly is at the helm.
2024-06-20

Hear, Hear
SER Social-Economic Council "stresses the importance of a realistic government budget and the efficient use of tax collection capabilities" we read in Curaçao Chronicle. In the context of advises on the amendment of the 1999 national ordinance on Sales Tax. Only 25 years ago. Were it a marriage, we'd celebrate. Now, not so much.
2024-06-20

Not What You'd Think
Finance minister Silly Bully has reprimanded the Tax inspector. Not because his department is a godforsaken corrupt mess, that's alright between friends; but because the number of untreated declarations keeps growing. Which of course will result in slower payments later on. Can't have that!
2024-06-20

The Winner!
It's almost a pun: WinAir! Will start extra flights between SXM-CUR since JetAir crashed. Four per week.
2024-06-20

Problem Solved!
Not completely, but it seems to work. Amigoe figures out that with the shrinking population, unemployment is going down as well. We are in effect exporting it to Holland: it went down from 13% in 2022 to 7% in 2023.
Over there, those people may get a good income by selling drugs. Good riddance.
2024-06-19

Socialist Paradise
In Venezuela, if not the most oil-rich country in the world at least one of them, car gas rationing will be introduced. Imagine.
It all started when former president Hugo Chávez fired the professional engineers of PdVSA and replaced them with henchmen who did exactly what he wanted. Except produce much oil.
2024-06-19

Good for WinAir!
One of those lone survivors in our airline history, WinAir announces buying a De Havilland Twin Otter DHC6; an advance from a fully-leased fleet.
Further, a cooperation was announced between WinAir and French Guyana Air Carïbes. This will result in more future destinations. WinAir already has an association with Guadaloupe Air Antilles.
2024-06-18

You Bet
ARC accounting would love to look into the finances of FKP social housing and, in the past, UTS (former) telecommunications, but were stopped from doing so by mainly lack of funds. Now it is being looked into how make it possible, but the investigated companies would have to pay for it themselves. They may like it or not, but they may get extra subsidies for it.
If they will actually get them, right.
Then, the minister would decide whether to inform parliament. Which is just asking for more behind-the-scenes trouble.
2024-06-18

Keep Your Fingers Crossed
Aqualectra utility plans to be 70% green in 2030 (mainly still bigger wind generators plus 10% solar), but still tries to become 100% so. Needed are €272 million which the former Dutch Rutte cabinet promised to supply via minister Jetten. You may well ask what the new Dutch government thinks about it, but that doesn't matter.
The Dutch, instead of closing down their one remaining nuclear reactor, now plan to add four more instead.
2024-06-18

No Surprise
There are rumors about a coming bankruptcy of JetAir. Who didn't see it coming must be blind—and deaf.
Another one in a long ever-growing list.
A flight where the only remaining F70 had to return to Hato Airport with autopilot troubles caused the latest, looks like final, breakdown.
Bankruptcy became final as from today. Police were called out to control the angry mob. Next!
Next? Rumors are already circulating about a new try, now with ATR planes.
2024-06-18

All You Need Is Science
There will come a large-scale scientific research into Curaçao's Carnival. Results will be applied to make the event stronger and "more sustainable."
2024-06-18

Leave It to Them
BZV bureau illness costs insurance, which is being liquidated, still has a back rent debt to be paid of ANG1,106,00. Which is supposed to be paid by the government, which doesn't come through.
No doubt the thieves-in-charge need it for other purposes.
Payments stopped back in 2018, under the former government. No difference.
2024-06-17

Delayed, But Not Denied
The expansion of luxury resort Baose has been delayed. No less than 15 what's called "views" have been handed in; it looks like a word better fitting the facts would be "protests."
Baose wants to expand over 2000 square meters into the sea which means dikes and filling. One "view" looks like it's coming from people living in Mari Pompún as it's about restricting the view out on sea by the buildings to be built on that expansion; others points at the destruction of coral colonies by all that filling and building.
We wish all those "views" good luck, which they'll need when we think of the goings-on at the Rif coast near Zakitó.
2024-06-17

Sure, Sure
Gambling enabler Dama has to say, their bankruptcy is a mere technical detail. They will go on as usual, and have the money to pay all winners.
Except those they don't feel like paying.
2024-06-16

Same Thing
After we had to listen to a lot of angry talk because of former CBCS central bank director Tromp's salary, now the new directors want the maximum allowed pay as well.
Don't think I blame them, though.
2024-06-15

Too Bad
Bolo Mudbelly "keeps deploring" the sale of UTS to Flow. He even says that it was a "criminal act" by his predecessor (a PAR member, what else?), on which Amigoe comments no complaints have been filed. He blames Flow to use Aqualectra's poles to hang their cables on, which they do.
The director of Aqualectra's predecessor, Kodela, told me at the time that the question was if Kodela should charge (then) UTS for use of the poles. This was avoided, because then UTS, and now Flow, would be able to charge Kodela for damages if that pole system broke down.
2024-06-15

What's Next
The stripping of Plaza Hotel has commenced. So far so good. We hear nothing about what's to follow, though. Scary.
2024-06-15

Aw Sh*t
Bolo Mudbelly wins again: an apartment building in Pietermaai may be built after all, in spite of several court procedures started by Rivera for Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
The case history is not without interest. Jewel Group applied for a building permit in 2013, which was given and then retracted after a 2015 High Court decision. But never give up: Jewel went on building anyway based on plans presented in 2018, for which "the minister" (unnamed) granted a new permit. Rivera's appeal, based on EOP development plan, was turned down.
Don't make no difference, mon: the building is already there.
2024-06-14

One Thing
Looking at a photograph of the new Dutch people-in-charge, it struck me that PVV Wilders, the "ultra-right" monster, is of at least average length. Good; better than a dwarf. Like some of ours I could but won't mention.
Napoléon, Stalin and some more also come to mind.
It was Dutch-English author Jan de Hartog who wrote the immortal words: "Watch out for small men, because they hate you for every inch you're taller."
2024-06-14

That took time
Yes, we're on Curaçao here. September 23rd 2023 the Environment Minister ordered the removal of an enormous heap of old paper and carton from a plot in Sans Souci (no kidding!), after a large fire in 2021. Now the plot is finally being cleared by the government.
That plot has been in use for old-paper storage since 1984, without any permits.
2024-06-14

Keep It in Mind
Remember PAR's establishment because of that first 1993 Referendum, god bless? The party's holier-than-thou attitude has often stuck in my maw. With plenty of reasons, which I'm not going to look up for you. It started with their first PM, Pourier. May I remind you where he came from?
From the Tax Office, as corrupt as hell; or maybe more so.
Then, one of his hangmen, who's still around, was ex-PM "unwise man" IJs, who helped InselAir and others to sackfuls of our cash. Pourier and IJs knew each other from both having worked at the same Tax Office for years and years.
Buyers, and voters, Beware!
But who else is there? You got me.
2024-06-13

So There, Bolo!
Court has spoken: Bolo Mudbelly as a public figure has to accept it when he gets sharp criticism and harsh words. It's covered by the right on freedom of speech.
But de Andrade must remove "the video" from his FakeBooc page. (I haven't seen it; may be the image of a bullet-riddled shooting target.) Cooper even wanted the judge to forbid de Andrade placing future comments on his FakeBooc page.
Cooper reacted by claiming on his own FakeBooc page that de Andrade had lost the case he had started. Far from the truth, as was only to be expected. Then, "he"? KKN doesn't mention if that means de Andrade; would be another lie by Bolo.
2024-06-13

Gone, Good
Curaçao's Dama NV, owner of crypto-casino Bitstarz, has been declared bankrupt. An Austrian gambler started a case because the gambling mafiosi refused to pay him a winning amount of €816,852. Bale la pena.
Earlier, the judge has done the same to gambling enablers 1XBet and Rapidi, when they also refused to pay winners. Looks like a habit.
2024-06-13

Score One
The Stadsrust people won a case against the builders of a steel construction, that was much too high for the surroundings. The builders had a 2018 permit from Bolo Mudbelly, which was declared illegal earlier, and then in 2023 got a new permit from the same guy.
The builders stated it would be a pity if the steel construction had to be demolished. You betcha—except for the neighbors.
We wonder with you how much money has passed under the table here.
2024-06-13

And Who Did So?
Minister Bolo Mudbelly Cooper explains to the media howcum our roads are in such an atrocious condition. It's because the Wegenfonds [road fund, paid out of car tax] was terminated and other funds were used to cover government budget problems instead. I don't feel like checking the history, but Bolo has on and off been minister since 2010 and must have been one of the players to achieve this.
Now he wants 350 million over 7 years to repair the infrastructure which includes road barriers and rooien. And naturally, he hopes he will remain minister during most of those potentially very lucrative years.
2024-06-13

May Get Worse
One in thirteen people living in Curaçao is an immigrant, and more to the point, an illegal one without any permits. That's almost 8%. As long as Venezuela continues its humane socialist politics, that will only grow.
That proudly puts us on number 4 of countries with most illegal undocumented inhabitants. Aruba is champ, tops the list with 1 in 5. Aruba is much closer to Venezuela.
What are those Europeans complaining about?
2024-06-13

Run for the Hills
The new state secretary for the Dutch Caribbean islands (not those in the North Sea) will be PVV member Pastors, who will replace van Hufteren. Ex-PM IJs expects trouble and has the temerity to ask if this means the Statuut phrase "the will to assist each other" will become null and void.
Tell us IJs, when's the last time we assisted Holland? During the 1953 Watersnood if my memory doesn't play tricks. It's about time we here grow up—if we can—and accept our responsibilities instead of clamoring for more loans. (Dream on...)
In the recent European Parliament elections the Caribbean islands voted for the leftist parties, in contrast with the Dutch who overwhelmingly went for PVV and other "ultra-right" parties.
2024-06-13

And about that Hydrogen
Prospects look worse and worse, no matter the overblown optimism of Chong c.s. "Average system-level cost (including both stack and balance of plant) is now at a mid-range of $600/kW for an electrolyser made in China, while machines made in Europe or the US are around $2,500/kW."
Which does not include floating platforms and windmills, nor product pipelines to the coast. Of which none has been built before.
Chong 's talking about $20-50 billion, which means... aw, let's forget it.
2024-06-12

Now That
Aqualectra promised us that with their new batteries and green power parks energy costs would go down.
As I may have mentioned before, I just don't believe them.
And alas, my ideas have been confirmed once again. Here, it's figured out that grid scale batteries will cost about $600,000 per Mwh. Too bad Aqualectra on its site doesn't tell us how many MWatts their wind generators are supposed to deliver. What we could find is, in 1999 there were 10 turbines of 3MW each; since then, capacity has at least been doubled with more coming. Let's conservatively say 30MW total? Means $18 million or far over 35 million guilders.
And much, MUCH more, if those batteries would have to bridge a windless period of not only one hour, but of a week; which is not unusual at all in the hottest weeks of the year..
2024-06-12

It's Normal
A letter-writer in Amigoe is surprised and disgusted because he saw how two Selikor containers were emptied into the same sushi-truck. They were supposed to contain recyclable and just ordinary trash.
He shouldn't be; or maybe he should. These things happen all over the world. It's mostly just talk.
2024-06-12

"Relatively" Harmless
Dutch parliament voted against this so-described motion by PNP Mercelina. Only the lefties were for, and they lost heavily at the last elections.
To refresh your memory, it was about a tax treaty which the Kingdom was asked to accord, potentially enabling more money laundering and gambling mafia.
2024-06-12

Oh How Great
Restaurants and cafes will no longer be closed immediately when there's something wrong upon inspection.
So you run more chance to get sick with a filthy infection. We're not told for how long.
2024-06-12

He Means Well
In Amigoe biologist Stokkermans has a half-page letter on the dreaded Global Warming. He's not up to date, it's Climate Change now because that Warming just awkwardly kept stopping.
But what I actually resent about the letter is his starting off with the absurd fable of how you put a frog in cold water and bring it to a boil and it will just keep sitting there. In the first place, how do you get a frog to sit in a pan of water? The frogs I've met have this habit of jumping out, cold or hot.
Worse, that suggests, and Stokkermans actually refers back to that at the end of the letter, that we're all gonna boil up with the earth. Like those preposterous posters carried by carried-away activists showing the earth in flames. Driving even small children crazy with fear of the future.
I wish these guys would stop their irresponsible nonsense talks.
That Stokkermans still has several good things to say there is another matter.
2024-06-09

Suggestion
There's another IPKO congress going on, inter-parliamentary kingdom talks, where the Caribbean members get advice on how to fight poverty.
Here's my take: Stop Stealing from Us.
But that's too simplistic, I know...
2024-06-09

Won't Help One Bit, Mon
Heavy punishment has been given in the Crow affair, where 9 people were accused of smuggling drugs via Curaçao's container harbor between 2012-2021. All in all, it's about 1976 keys of coke. Peanuts, as the OM public ministry admits. Street value in Europe would have been €100,776,000.
With so much money to be made, this will go on. And on. Here's an idea, by no means new: liberate that stuff, let people poison themselves to wrecks if they want, and use the money wasted to catch the smugglers for useful purposes.
The worth of one gram of coke for pharmaceutical purposes is not much over a couple of €s. The rest is made by crooks.
2024-06-08

How Many Killed?
They don't say... The Royal Dutch Navy KM has intercepted over 2 tons of cocaine. That's the 3rd time this year. Shots were aimed at the transporting go-fasts first. This time, no one was killed; at least, it's not mentioned.
2024-06-08

Tough
In Curaçao, 16% of the population does not have a bank account. So how they are supposed to pay at government offices where only plastic cards are accepted is anybody's guess. Who cares? As usual, not the government.
Here's an idea: just stop payments!
In St. Maarten, it's 23%.
2024-06-08

Say, that Boulevard
Forgive me my feelings, just can't help it when Bolo Mudbelly comes out with another project. That Boulevard along the coast from Marichi to Penstraat, remember? One of the supposed reasons is, it would stop the scary sea level rise from inundating the foundations of buildings along the coast.
Only, Bolo Mudbelly and his flunkies never seems to have heard of so-called groundwater, which will unstoppably rise with the sea level. If and when, there's that. Expensive boulevard or not.
Well, as long as there's money to be made.
2024-06-08

That's Business, Folks
Aqualectra Utility complains that, because of the heat, more energy is consumed than ever. That's good for business, you'd say—if you can deliver.
Which they're afraid they can't. It has to do with the growth of the economy, which nobody saw coming, they say. While we've been reading optimistic predictions for quite some time now. But can they read at all over there?
Maybe they took those prediction with a heap of salt, just like most of us did.
2024-06-07

That's Right
The UK newspaper Guardian, politically if not factually oh-so-correct, has been forced to withdraw an article stating that renewable energy sources are cheaper than burning fossil fuels. This was instigated by advertising watchdog ASA, Advertising Standards Authority. Comments the source: "... it is becoming increasingly clear that renewables are an expensive source of power and false claims can no longer be made in the press."
Wish this would be a lesson to Aqualectra—and to our sheep-like media who just uncritically publish whatever bovine manure that company dishes out for them.
2024-06-06

That Would Be Fun
Dutch parliament is looking at a request of Curaçao PNP MP Mercelina, to just accord tax deals Curaçao wants to have with foreign countries, e.g. Malta, and not to make difficulties. Just vote 'em through, right? "Without unnecessary obstructions."
2024-06-06

Meanwhile, in Aruba
The cops raided six locations there, looking for evidence of corruption. It's about how companies succeeded in obtaining working permits for foreigners. Two private residences, two business addresses, and two government offices were visited. Government offices? You read that right.
Our sister island in more senses than one.
2024-06-06

Nice Going, Guys
M*F*K finance minister Silvania is in the Philippines (further to facilitate the online gambling mafia; M*F*K Bolo Mudbelly Cooper is in the Cayman islands for a post conference (we can't deny that our C***-Post urgently needs improvement); M*F*K justice minister Hato is in Miami (border management conference); and PNP economy development Cijntje in Suriname (for oil and energy).
Understand that these are not paid out of the parliament travel budget. We pay anyway.
2024-06-06

Oops, Not So
Curaçao and Aruba will not send diesel generators to St. Maarten to cope with the power breakdown there, resulting in total blackouts. (Nice for the tourists, too.) They didn't stop working because of old age, as suggested, but because of a destructive fire. As I understand it, in fact St. Maarten didn't even ask for those generators.
Now St. Maarten has switched to South African style beurtkrag.
2024-06-06

Repeat Question
I said it before and ask it again:
How in hell is "populism" malicious while "democracy" is supposed to be a good thing?
Cambridge Dictionary: 'Populism – political ideas and activities that are intended to get the support of ordinary people by giving them what they want.' What's wrong with that, please?
Not that I necessarily agree with either idea. SciFi author Larry Niven said it: "Elections are popularity contests." And give them all they want, you're heading to inevitable bankruptcy. Just look around you. here.
The question always remains, will the people get what they want? But that's another matter. Tell them about it. 2024-06-05

Not Used to It
Not yet... It will come.
A new power interruption took place in several neighborhoods, later spreading to even more. Too many to list. Just count yourself lucky if you were spared two hours of sweating in the extreme heat of these days.
St. Maarten is even worse off; unbelievably? Curaçao and Aruba shipped diesel generators to help the island out, replacing two 30-years old generators that recently expired, regretted by all. Asks St. Maarten News, "Didn't anybody see this coming?"
2024-06-05

Will Service Resume?
By the end of the month, the government will provide clarity on the plans with bordello Campo Alegre, which was acquired just like that. So they made up their "minds"?
I'm sure you all share my curiosity.
2024-06-05

Better Worry
Between 2011 and 2023 the population grew by 3.5%, according to the latest Census. Not good: many people have moved to the Netherlands, so that growth was caused by immigration. Also, the number of registered citizens is different.
Take it from me, it's lower.
2024-06-05

Crypto Money
Curaçao must not only allow crypto-coins in its jurisdiction, it's a necessity, says finance minister Silly Bully.
Where did he say that? Oh, on an online-gaming conference in Manila. No doubt to enable the gambling mafia to do even better business. "But the umbrella rules with regard to money laundering and player protection remain paramount," he adds. Wow! He almost had me fooled there.
2024-06-05

War at Sea
Dutch Navy Koninklijke Marine was after a suspect go-fast with 2 FRISC interception vessels, when the crew of one of them felt itself "forced to shoot at it" which caused an explosion, whereupon the go-fast sank. After which the 3 go-fast crew members went missing.
Translation: they maybe got killed by the explosion or surely drowned afterwards.
Immediately a SAR Search and Rescue action was started. By in total 6 vessels/aircraft. That will help! Just don't ask how much that'll cost.
Why did he feel himself forced to shoot? Were they shooting at him? Silence reigns.
Maybe it was a "her", in which case I stand corrected. Deadlier than the male.
2024-06-05

Forget It
Antilliaans Dagblad writes about the pollution. Not so much of air as unlimited trash dumping. Silly Bully referred them to PM Prick Pisas, but that one they approached already. Results, if any, are not mentioned.
It's an old belief that if you want anything to happen in Curaçao, do it yourself. This is once again confirmed by least three groups working on cleanups: Kunkuku-man, Kaya Tene Kòrsow limpi and Curaçao Clean Up. Judging from the results, you'd never think so. Which definitely they're not to be blamed for.
2024-06-04

You Bet Your Life
Parliament discussion on pollution, mainly because of the proposed law on Isla refinery air pollution. The MPs feel human beings are central here. Wherever do they pick up such revolutionary ideas? Most of us them will agree that Money is King.
M*F*K MP Brownbill apologized for not inviting Smoc or the Julianadorp reps for the technical briefings. But M*F*K Braam thinks those organizations can't add to the presentations of those who were invited. (He must have occult capacities.)
2024-06-04

Quackie's Out
Quackie Constancia has been released from jail after sitting out a 20-month sentence. Let's hope she's learned her lesson.
2024-06-04

Now Spend It
The country had a, temporary, first quarter surplus of 103 million on the gewone dienst [whatever that means, literally "ordinary service"]. That is, Cft financial supervision still has to look at the complete picture.
Also, nobody would be surprised if that figure is a total fantasy, anyway. With the state the country's finances are in. Cue 'temporary.'
2024-06-03

Ain't that Funny
We have all read the warnings that the hurricane season this year be will be The One From Hell. Because oceans have been hotting up more than ever.
And now, we're also told those high temps have been caused by the 80% reduction of sulfur (2020) in ships' fuels. This cut pollution and resulted in 0.2 Watts per m² extra sun exposure, equivalent to 80% of the planet's total extra heating.
No, it's not really funny.
2024-06-02

Hotter Air
PNP MP Mercelina has ordered a report De vergeten klimaatscrisis op Curaçao [The forgotten climate crisis on Curaçao]. How I wish... He wants to stimulate the MPs' interest in climate change. The usual items are mentioned, many of them disproved already but that doesn't matter.
You can only agree that MPs should show more interest in actual problems instead of promoting tourism, reopening refineries and... shall I go on? All great to fight the dreaded threatening climate change.
But don't worry, nothing much will change. Except of course more "green energy parks" and all that.
2024-06-02

What Else?
PNP MP Gerard wants a clear answer of the government, i.c. minister Cijntje on what's going on with Aqualectra's efforts to start up a new telecommunications company, Aquatel. He complains he gets nothing but vague comments, like, "it's in its final phase but a date cannot be named yet." "The people want a company of their own that offers landline and cell phones, internet and television," he says. Which I doubt. And we had such a beast, UTS later Setel (or the other way round), which was somehow privatized and sold to what's now Flow.
2024-06-01

That's Not So Fast
Today the hurricane season begins, so the government has started preparations for it, we're told. Always on their toes!
Maintenance was started on dikes and rooien [ditches]. But admittedly, already "a few weeks (!) ago."
2024-06-01

Vote for Cooper the Clown and Have More Fun!
Bolo Mudbelly, our esteemed minister, has started a (private, we're assured) case against de Andrade, who regularly publishes FakeBooc articles on him. He accuses Cooper of corruption and illicit sexual relations, as a member of "criminal organization" M*F*K. De Andrade's lawyer mentions the cases against ex-PM Shorty, Imalootin and quackie Constancia. Hear, hear. (At a Cooper house search there were found 50,000 guilders in cash.)
Cooper claims de Andrade has threatened to shoot him, and as proof rather weakly quotes him as having said "Cooper must be ready to use his weapon because he will start a war against him." In actual fact, de Andrade mentioned a catapult. De Andrade has also shown a picture of no, not Cooper but a shooting target, riddled with bullet holes. "He implicitly gives his followers permission to take matters into their own hands" states Cooper's lawyer. How exactly escapes me.
Let's hope de Andrade gets a judge who has a better sense of humor than Cooper. Shouldn't be hard.
De Andrade is also behind efforts to sue auntie Sushi and pinhead Martina. Looks like an interesting character. May he have More Power!
Meanwhile, de Andrade has removed the video in case from FakeBooc which makes Cooper's lawsuit null and void. A good thing we don't pay for it, but he's got plenty of money... plenty. And he thinks he's won.
2024-06-01

By Whom?
Curaçao schools are under pressure to deliver quality education. The director of the catholic schools remarks that teachers have an essential role here. You don't say.
Too bad it seems to be up to politicians to change anything.
2024-05-31

Showing their Teeth
Such as they have any. Dutch parliament will stop the proposed tax treaty between Curaçao and San Marino. Politicians "are questioning Curaçao's rationale for pursuing tax treaties with countries that have questionable reputations in fiscal matters." In other and plainer words, they don't trust our Bleeders one bit here.
2024-05-31

As per Usual
The HNO parliamentary inquiry, which in my jaundiced view won't lead anywhere in practical terms, will cost more than originally budgeted for.
Hey, just like the hospital!
2024-05-31

Even Better
That will help! Bully Silly Vain kindly "requests the trash dumpers" to stop. Emphatically, true.
2024-05-31

Marks on Paper
CTB tourist office has finished a social impact report. It lists the initiatives CTB has taken in 2021 and 2022 which are supposed to have contributed to sustainable development purposes. Whatever. Sounds great, huh?
The report we didn't get to see. Yet?
It focuses on "No poverty, good health and well-being, quality education, affordable and sustainable energy, fair work and economic growth and life in the water."
You may well ask yourself what CTB has done to support all that.
2024-05-31

That Should Help?
I strongly doubt it. Minister Silly Vain Bully announces that, for two months, dumping trash at Malpais Landfill is free. I admit he seems to doubt it himself; it's meant to check just that.
He asks people who dump trash anywhere else to stop doing that. That's one thing I can tell him won't work.
2024-05-30

Better Pay Up
Those who haven't paid their traffic fines may find themselves in jail shortly. Is what the Public Ministry threatens. Maybe even better, fine some more people. Everybody notices violators every time you hit the streets; except the cops, it looks like.
2024-05-30

Over Time
This is not about the spoiled rats' "working" hours. To our surprise, Amigoe has an article warning about the dangers of over-tourism. It states that our government is still celebrating the tourism growth, in contrast with Aruba and Bonaire, Amigoe says. O yeah? You could have fooled me, easy. Maybe the people there have had too much, but not their governments.
As long as we're stuck with these bumbling fools, writing about it won't help. Tell me about it.
2024-05-29

Old, Old Story
The Curaçao crèches can't make it anymore. They do get suibsidies, but these are too low. After all, the government needs the money urgently for more important purposes; like buying Campo Alegre?
2024-05-29

How Low?
How tipiko! Or, how like them.
The savings interest paid by Dutch banks is much too low. Instead of paying up what they should they follow each others' rates. It's in their genes. But Curaçao Chronicle omits too tell us how high, or rather low, those interest rates are.
So we can't compare them to Curaçao's interest rates. Doesn't matter: we suspect here they're much too low, as well. Not that they'd tell us how high low they are, wot you teenk? At any rate lower than inflation, so what's the use?
2024-05-29

Do They Have Any?
MP Jesus-Leito asks the government what their plans are with the Campo Alegre purchase. Good question, but we can suspect they probably have no good answer. They just bought it; like a chicken runs around flapping its wings after its head has been cut off.
2024-05-28

Popcorn, Please
New hospital CMC will sue the country to force them to pay out more of the SVB insurance money to CMC. This has been going on for years: it's agreed that the government should allow CMC more support, but it never happens.
2024-05-28

More Coral Damage
This time caused by a tanker in Boca Samihi, where it was anchored for under water cleaning. Because of the strong winds, the chains supposed to anchor a heavy concrete block started to move over the coral reef and damaged it. 150x150 meters have been "completely ruined."
You may wonder why these activities, obviously badly managed, are still tolerated without close supervision.
The reporting diver opines that such damages have never resulted in an actual claim.
The only good thing we read is, the 2019 damages have been largely regenerated.
2024-05-28

Let's Celebrate!
State secretary van Hufteren has started her last working visit to the islands. Goodbye.
2024-05-28

And OFF! They Go
A delegation of MPs will visit Panamá end this month for a regional conference. We wish them a nice time.
2024-05-28

True Enough
In fact, Too True. Minister Cijntje says Aqualectra's black-out problems are not one person's fault. He got that straight: the entire company is responsible. (I apologize to the all-too-rare exceptions.)
Follows a lot of hot air on what's to be done. If all that will happen is another question. One item that's at least comforting: besides the green alternatives Aqualectra plans to expand its conventional capacities as well.
2024-05-28

A Miracle
SVB Social Insurance made an almost 23 million guilders profit last year. A welcome change from the three previous years, when a total loss of 85 million was recorded. Still, we read the deficit is almost 2.5 million. Without any further explanation, which seems sorely needed.
Average medical cost per insured person is 4000 guilders/year, which, to me at least, is frighteningly high. Over a third of the population, more than 53,000 persons, get AOW welfare pension. Such as it is.
2024-05-27

'Bye Now
Seems like DCA, the Dead on Arrival imago of ALM, is finally being disbanded. Twenty years later. Foundation DC Beheer gets 3 new board members, and the country is advised to proceed with liquidation of the foundation. Which still has 750,000 guilders in the bank.
Gee, I wonder how much those board members get paid, and by whom.
2024-05-27

"Wait a Bit"
It's not clear yet when Aquatel will start activities as an ISP internet sevice provider, even though the preparations are "in the last phase." It's complicated, says minister Cijntje. No wonder this may go on for longer.
PNP-MP Gerard complains in parliament about the bad service and the high prices for telecom services. He also "heard" that the preparations were stuck, which Cijntje denies.
It's a very moot point if tariffs and service will improve when Aqualectra joins the fray. Knowing them.
2024-05-26

Saved...
JetAir will start returning stranded passengers today and tomorrow; first, by flying up and down to St. Maarten and next, to Medellín Colombia.
JetAir explains it was an "unplanned" engine replacement that caused the trouble. Wait for the next one.
2024-05-25

Sorry, Silly
ARC accounting sees no reason to change a single letter in their report on the 2022 budget. Finance minister Bully Silly Vain had insisted on "immediate" correction (on his FakeBooc page, as usual. Normal government channels do not exist for this priggish know-it-all character).
In reply, ARC announces they will forward the report to all MPs. So there.
2024-05-25

Bad & Good
Holland and Curaçao have now signed an accord for the production of "sustainable" hydrogen here. State secretary van Hufteren (is she still around?) expects it may take "many, many months" but hopes pilot projects will start soon.
She says it may take 5 years, but hopes it may happen in less than 1 year. Technical feasibility and financing must be looked at. By now, I guess you know my opinion on this chimera. It's no secret...
2024-05-25

Goody-Oh! One More University!
Count 'em... I lost count long since. Just have the impression that there's an outrageous number of them on this small island.
This one is dedicated to health, education, science and research. It is hoped that this will have a positive influence on our economy and tourism. (And I can only hope it has nothing to do with Auntie Sushi's wellness plans.)
2024-05-25

Not Simple
No, it's not. People who get help to pay off their water-bill debts to Aqualectra utility right away start building up new debts. Often, after they've been cut off, they start stealing water and then get incredible fines. Which they couldn't ever pay. Debts up to 140,000 guilders are mentioned (and this is not even hotels and such).
They often feel it's the government who's responsible to pay their water bills.
Sadly enough, some in the government seem to be of the same opinion.
My favorite quote of some MP: "There are people who live 7 in 1 house and can't bath, flush the toilet and not even make tea." A real hardship, that. Poignant.
2024-05-24

Yeah, Howcum?
The board of CBCS central bank deplores that they recommended Daniel Hodge as a new member. At the time (April 2022), it's explained, they didn't know about Hodges's legal fight with PSB bank, of which he was director.
Say, wouldn't it be their job to be informed about minor matters like that? We all could have read about it in the newspapers in March 2022.
2024-05-24

"Much" Cheaper?
Is how the media characterize the price adjustment of gasoline. Next month, it's going down from 2.29 to 2.20 guilders per liter (4%). Diesel as well, from 1.85 to 1.73. Wow, I'm really impressed.
Water and electricity will go up. We're used to that.
2024-05-24

Can't Be Stopped
Two years ago, chains and warning signs were placed at the the natural Choloma area to stop illegal trash dumping and excavations. Now, the chains and signs have disappeared and the illegal activities are resumed.
It can be stopped, but not by chains and signs—by controls and fines! Which seems to be too much to ask.
2024-05-24

Sad
We have a winner of the Darwin Awards. A young scooter rider was killed a few days ago. Very sad, to be sure.
Even sadder is how his death came about: he was overtaking a traffic queue. Which is just asking for it but still occurs regularly.
Very sad indeed.
2024-05-24

That's Fine with Me
"[Willemstad] Punda must change" finds DMO Downtown Management Organization. The present state keeps visitors away. Shops mainly offer jewelry, watches and casual brands. Categories like book- and hobby shops just don't exist.
In the past, we've had several of those, to refresh DMO's memory, but for some reason they all disappeared. Maybe because they weren't profitable? Maybe because tourists only want the other stuff, and DMO, to come right down to it, prefers tourists to come and spend money?
You get what you wish for (more tourists) with unintended consequences: the locals keep away.
2024-05-24

Just Wait for It...
Still no rain to mention, but the dear warnings continue. The good news is, the weekend will be dry (or is that bad news?), but Monday and Tuesday we'll have thunderstorms and flooding rain again.
Or maybe not.
2024-05-23

Not for You
And will it help? Maybe a bit... "They" want to lower the Selikor tariffs for dumping at landfill Malpais by 50%, in the hope that will reduce illegal dumping all over the island. Malpais is just too expensive, "they" figure.
True. On the other hand, driving down there with a truck is expensive as well, in itself. Then think of people who just want to dump like one old washing machine. Or a dead dog. Oh wait, you have to pay even more for that: so dump it it the mondi!
2024-05-23



Phooey!
Remember JetAir? Looks like shortly you can only remember it. Yet another Kaka enterprise. Since their manager took his leave by what the Dutch call Noorderzon (because the sun is never to be found in Makambia's Northern sky) and genius Heerenveen took over, the company went from back to still worse. Heerenveen, of course, is one of the smarties who helped InselAir (remember them? You must be an elephant), where was I, oh yeah, who helped InselAir run down the drain—he's good at that.
Now, JetAir announced there won't be any flights for a week and those stuck in foreign countries just have to fend for themselves and pay themselves for extra hotel nights. Until JetAir has cannibalized their second remaining geriatric F70 and IF that engine works all right. Which remains to be seen.
"The engine must be replaced to guarantee the safety of passengers and crew," says JetAir. No kidding.
Suckers galore who in the future will buy tickets for JetAir? I'm afraid so. If the ticket office ever reopens, that is.
2024-05-22

As Per Usual
At traffic controls a total of 38 drivers were fined. By now, we all can guess why: no valid papers, no safety belts, driving while phoning, darkly tinted windows. It's a given fact.
Doesn't seem to help much, does it?
2024-05-22

Oh, Wait...
The 2022 Curaçao legitimacy error of 512 million guilders has meanwhile been figured out to be 1,244 million. At least. In fact, it may even be 3,127 million. Who cares? Not our politicians, you can bet their fat asses on that.
2024-05-22

Wanna Bet?
No? Thought so. The petition to stop the Zakitó ruination development has been presented to Staten/parliament. With a measly not even 2000 signatures.
The plans were first presented by CTB in 2010 in the workshop Visie Rifgebied [Vision Rif Area] and pleaded for preservation of natural values, eco-tourism (whatever that's supposed to mean) and high rise buildings limited to 2 or 3 floors. Which recommendations were confirmed in Visie Zakitó 2018, of which the local people were not informed, either.
The plans didn't mention a marina, high-rise buildings, damage to mangrove eco-systems, coral reefs or a movable bridge. Instead, there was the usual hot-air blah-blah on creation of a natural park and a recreation zone.
The people living in Charo look for support by parliament to protect the natural surroundings for future generations. Will they get it?
Wanna bet? No? Thought so.
A friend recently said to me, "As long as we have that Cooper..." Truest word ever spoken.
2024-05-22

Too Bad
Dutch parliament shows us that it's still made up by politicians, by judging the 170 million loan to Curaçao to cover the Girobank's bankruptcy is a fine example of how great things work in the Mighty Kingdom.
That we are still expected to pay that loan back in the coming umpteen years, those dummies are not smart enough to figure out. That's 170,000 guilders per head. Which reminds me:
2024-05-22

Only Three Milliard
That's what's due in overdue tax innings. 3 milliard guilders! that equals 1.65 milliard dollars. Which equals at least $165,000 per population head. That's just fine with M*F*K finance minister Silly Vain Bully. He informs us that the Tax Persons have been working on it since 2021. Hard.
For quick results, don't ask them.
I can't tell you, because as usual nobody tells me, if the debt remission is part of that. I guess not; it has been remitted after all, right?
2024-05-22

But Hotels Are Doing Fine
April occupancy 73% which, from the little know, is better than the needed minimum, but really not much better. At least better than the private room-renting sector.
2024-05-22

Irony
After several days of scare-mongering by the media, spurred on by MTO, warning us for storms and more heavy rainfall, and to consider it as a foretaste of the predicted intense hurricane season, so better be prepared, it all turned out to be not even a storm in a teacup. We did have a few drops of rain, not even enough to measure in mms.
Which may make people reconsider those hurricane-season warnings. Better keep an eye peeled.
2024-05-22

Not So Clean
Curaçao Clean has collected 920 kilograms of trash near St. Jorisbaai, helped by the crew of Chilean square-rigger Escuela Esmeralda, presently on a visit here. Wish we had more sailing ships coming over.
Because I know a lot of places Curaçao doesn't seem to come visit very often. I guess, we all do.
2024-05-21

Drunk Drivers
13 of them, in 2 traffic controls. 4 were so far gone, their drivers' license has been taken away. Also, a bag of marihuana has been found but no arrest followed.
2024-05-21

Skeptical Doubts
Aqualectra announces a cooperation with Finnish Wärtsilä for a battery system to store "green" energy for hard times; i.e. when the sun won't shine (like every night) and the wind won't blow (like in the hottest months). This will completely revolutionize energy management and will result in "a myriad of economic benefits, such as a cutback in peak demand charges and low electricity bills for consumers and businesses."
We are not told (did you expect to?) what this will have cost when it will be operating in 2030. In my experience, the batteries are by far the most expensive part of a solar system, which I have been using since 1992 or so. Longer than Aqualectra.
2024-05-21

Heavy Weather
We're advised of thunderstorms and heavy rain today, tomorrow and Friday. We'll see. The government is preparing by cleaning gutters and dams. We're also advised to "Get out of boats and move away from the water if possible." First, get to shore, is what you have to conclude.
2024-05-21

Public Beach
You can't win with these guys around. And goils, presumably. Now, when finally those palapas will get fixed, there are complaints by visitors of Mari Pampún beach that a group of youngsters make a daily pest of themselves. They hang around there all day, smoking weed and "using foul language" and even climbing over the annexing hotel's wall to cause trouble there.
Police? Don't ask foolish questions. They're much too busy driving around disregarding traffic offenses.
2024-05-21

Don't Count on It
MP (or is he?) Osepa writes in Antilliaans Dagblad that the AOV-age should not be raised. He proposes a new system where only people who actually need it, should get it. Which is just asking for abuse, mon. Don't be so naïve, please.
Interestingly, he mentions that CBS 2018 statistics find that a one-person family needs 1400 guilders/month. I and my extended family (lotsa Girl Friends? one is quite enough) get less than that. Inflation, anyone?
2024-05-20

That's Different
In North Carolina, USA, the Senate has voted to forbid face masks: "to ban anyone from wearing masks in public, even for health reasons." Reason is, rioters hide behind those masks so police will not be able to recognize them. And have they got riots there! Please don't tell me about it.
Can't help being reminded of those darkened car windows here, which, even if they're not approved, are still in use by many, many car owners.
2024-05-18

"Harder Approach Fiscus"
Fooled you, huh? That's the headline in Antilliaans Dagblad. Will miracles never cease? But relax and stop dreaming... Meant are the companies who are slow in paying their sales- and other taxes, sometimes for years and years, resulting in enormous debts.
It's not the Tax Person who will get a harder approach, are you kidding?
2024-05-18

Tough
Dutch parliament has delayed the decision on the Curaçao-San Marino tax treaty. The Committee wants to discuss it with Curaçao MPs during the coming Ipko kingdom conference (of which right now it is unsure if it will ever happen).
The tax treaty with Malta is still hanging in the air as well.
2024-05-18

Age Up; Payment, Not (Yet)
The age on which you get AOW welfare pension, not so long ago raised from 60 to 65 years, must go up again to 67 "or the AOV will be endangered." In about 2030. When all pension ages should become the same.
It is also proposed to raise the payments to 70% of the minimum wage, plus price indexation. That I wanna see.
2024-05-18

Tromp in Court
Long story short: his lawyers say the OM public ministry has not a semblance of proof for its allegations, and also remind us that it was Tromp who stopped ex-M*F*K PM Shorty from having the Central Bank being taken over by the Italian gambling mafia. Is like I figured.
2024-05-17

Doesn't Mean Much
What PM Pias says. He held a speech for VBC entrepreneurs' club and mentioned four pillars to build our future economy on. Remarkably, the Isla refinery wasn't really mentioned.
What he did mention: 1/ Development of the entire harbor area for industry; 2/ Development of energy sector with emphasis on "sustainable" energy production; 3/ Development of services and products and a limited (you betcha) number of products with good prospects on the international market (not naming any); 4/ Expand the touristic product.
Pias did also mention Refineria di Kòrsow has developed a "terrific" masterplan for a LNG terminal and to start producing hydrogen by wind energy (he may have meant "hot air"). This is the only manner the refinery was alluded to.
2024-05-17

Not 12: 22
That was the correct number of undocumented workers ate the recent control by officials. And only 2 had a residence permit.
2024-05-16

So Relax, Already
There was a short but intense fire in the second floor of the Customs building. No personal injuries. Customs announce they will strive to continue their activities and services.
Of charging you money.
2024-05-16

Three Years in Jail
Is what the public prosecutor demands for ex-Central Bank Director Tromp, and two and a half years for former interim director Lourents. In the Hercules case now in court, they are accused of bribery, document forgery, money laundering, and embezzling 400,000 and 2.1 million dollars.
"It takes honest government employees time to repair the damage caused," remarks the prosecutor. See the little problem there?
Privately, I wonder if and when Garcia of Girobank will join them in the slammer.
I have to confess, I was taken in by Tromp myself, mainly because of the way he kept the guilder safe from the clutches of greedy politicians. Maybe got that wrong, too; what do I know?
2024-05-16

Curaçao: Quack Island
Ex-minister Sushi Römer is the driving force behind the idea to turn the island into an "island of healing" by way of the Medical & Wellness Tourism Strategy. Which terms can be broadly interpreted; maybe too broadly. Which Auntie Shushi doesn't hesitate to do.
It will include "cosmetic procedures, retreats, spas, therapies, fitness, healthy diets and other (quote) recreational activities (/quote)". I never knew these things were "recreational". And not necessarily medical, either.
But we can only agree there's money in them thar fads.
Eric de Brabander, a well-known quackism-fighter, also mentions in an Amigoe letter that the island is in danger to become liable for heavy damages by foreign patients getting unsound treatments here.
2024-05-16

Let's Hope So
Initiators have come together to get the slums out of Otrabanda. Too bad they are counting on tourism to have new life emerging there; I guess it can't be helped. But of course we can only agree with the hope that the neighborhood will fare much better from now on.
I documented the barrio's deplorable decline in my award-winning 1984 movie Edgar Palm en Otrabanda; since then much has changed for the better already. But not nearly enough.
2024-05-16

Will It Work?
Sorry, sceptical insect I am I very much doubt if something really will happen to stop all that rubbish (you may take that literally) around Dam Pretu. Bolo Mudbelly Cooper says he will take measures after the people living around there started collecting signatures for a petition. But will he?
And why only now and not in all those preceding years?
2024-05-16

Anarchy Reigns, There Too
Controls at several building projects resulted in arrests of 12 workers who couldn't show the needed papers (i.e., illegals). 2 were released later. Also, a supervisor was arrested who protested that workers should go on working, and hindered the controllers in their jobs. Such chutzpah.
That was at the Pen resort, big surprise NOT.
2024-05-15

Alivio!
CASHA tourist entrepreneurs association publishes occupancy fell back from 85% in March to 55% in April. 55% of alternative accommodation owners is a member, of which only 25% reported.
Reasons? To quote Curaçao Chronicle: "increased overall supply, more black-market rentals with lower costs for landlords, an increase in rooms in large resorts, and the general rise in costs for both tickets and accommodation." (We all saw it coming, if not that fast.) And also, "guests are experiencing difficulties visiting beaches and attractions." #WeToo!
2024-05-15

Hard to Believe
Parliament head America-Francisca has stopped a trip to Brazil by 3 MPs for a Parlatino meeting. She says the year is almost half past and the travel budget is almost half spent. Well, we're still 6 weeks way from the half year but don't get to hear the total spent.
Interestingly, the MPs have to travel by several airlines as there's no direct flight to Brazil, and if a trip takes over 3 hours they are obliged to travel business class.
A trip to Holland takes about 9 hours; just to say.
2024-05-14

Yesss
MAN and PIN parties agree: Curaçao's financial management is in total chaos. It's hard to disagree. They mention the remission of 3 billion of tax debts just to help out some campaign financier. (Too bad they don't name hir; but then, they're all in the same boat. Don't make too many waves!)
And then some.
PM Pias should take his responsibility and stop those illegal actions, MAN-PIN say. Dream on. M*F*K, sure, agrees completely with the government's financial management.
2024-05-14

We Think So, Too
M*F*K, finance minister Silvania's own party, wants him to clarify the spending excesses of 512 million guilders. Only, it's 521 million we now find out.
Not that I think Silly Bully could.
So that's how the government financed the buying of Campo Alegre, comments PAR.
2024-05-14

Now He Went Too Far?
This I doubt very much. Minister Silly Bully has attacked ARC accounting and demands their report is retracted. Not only the opposition, but also coalition partner PNP feel that Bully went too far. They state that state organs should be supported and not attacked. Next it's RVA advisory council's turn, maybe? And possibly SER social-economic council and Ombudsman.
As usual, Silly Vain published his attack on his FakeBooc page. There was some discussion on Silvania's form of attack; had he "asked" for retraction or "ordered" it? At any rate, it was pointed out that he used the word "immediately" which doesn't sound like a request.
2024-05-14

How Much Slipped Through?
After no Royal Dutch Nave for 6 months around, since April we have HMS Groningen at station here. Which caught 2 drug transports totalling 1072 keys of cocaine. Shots were exchanged, the drugs have been destroyed and the crews are now USA-prisoners.
Anybody's guess how many keys slipped through in those six months.
2024-05-14

Dam Pretu
People living around there are fed up and have started an action to force the government to take measures and stop the continuing pollution caused by trash dumping and fires.
Keeping other petitions and their results in mind, all you can say is "We're with you, but good luck!"
2024-05-14

You Don't Say
Cft financial supervision remarks that Curaçao must take financial measures to improve liquidity and solve persistent shortages in medical care and social security.
They do notice everything, don't they? Gee, I wonder how much they're paid.
Not that our government is very forthcoming in its reactions.
2024-05-13

He Would
Finance minister Silly Bully doesn't agree with the ARC accounting report on the 2022 budget. He doesn't feel that the 512 million guilders missing is a "legitimacy error."
And we must agree: it's quite normal and only what you'd expect. From these highly-paid clowns.
Besides, it's all PAR's fault. We've heard that one before.
2024-05-13

He Too, Would
PAR's Girigorie has compared the financial results of PAR Billenaath's 2018/9 cabinet to those of M*F*K Pias's 2022. Finance minister Silly Vain's "juridical mistakes": he concludes, in the year of 2022 amount to 535 million guilders; those of PAR's two years 455 million; even less.
On the other hand, I can't say I'm impressed by PAR's "only" 253 million/year of "juridical mistakes." It's a total botch as well.
2024-05-13

Here's the Answer
"No, it's NOT." To the question posed by curacao.nu if the number of traffic fines are any help in improving traffic safety.
curacao.nu figures that amounts to averagely 4 fines a day. Every time I hit the road I could fine at least 4 drivers for several reasons. Not to mention the corps of cops who drive around all day.
Now the government has announced even more stringent measures. Pshaw. It's as much a case of non-interest of the police as anything else.
2024-05-13

Not So Fast
Makes me dizzy... They will finally start repairing the 3 Marí Pampoen palapas which were destroyed by arson. That was only in November last year. How much work can it possibly be?
The minister then said it would take "until next year." He was right, for once.
2024-05-13

What Else
Now, Dutch parliament, which has to accord the tax treaty between Curçao and San Marino, is troubled about that. Just like with Malta, remember?
After all, these "tax treaties" are mainly, or only, meant to stimulate more gambling mafia to come to Curaçao. Welcome!
2024-05-11

M*F*K Shows Its True Colors
The party states it wants to prevent "unrest" at the coming 2025 elections. Their problem is, those people who live in illegally built houses will not received a polling card, simply because those houses will never receive an officially registered address.
Naturally, M*F*K would figure these are largely M*F*K voters and want to make sure they can vote. Good point—for M*F*K.
2024-05-11

Spoilsports
Again, the Bar Association reports on its problems with the new LOK gambling-promotion law. The matter is, lawyers can be accredited by a voluntary certificate (is what it amounts to) which the bar association thinks is not what you'd call ideal.
2024-05-11

We Either
The people of Wishi, right smack in the smoke of Isla refinery, have little confidence in the proposed law supposedly regulating the future pollution. They have a good point: it does no such thing but enables smoke to be belched out to the refinery's content.
2024-05-11

Sure, What Else Did You Expect?
The new law on air qualityshould better be called "on air pollution": the refinery may reboot with a 60 micrograms of SO₂ emission per m³. That's 20 micrograms more than tolerated by WHO World Health Organization. 1/3rd more; or half more, depending on how you figure.
But no matter! The aim is to bring the pollution in 5 years down to 50 micrograms; but in fact, the refinery wants to make the 60 micrograms level permanent. While the government wants to reduce the amount "in the following years, gradually" to 20 micrograms.
How many years, we're not told. As if they knew themselves, you got that straight. Information about other pollution problems is not publicly forthcoming at all.
2024-05-10

Cashew Nuts
Not Peanuts. Maybe Brazil nuts make the grade: ARC accounting reports a "legitimacy error" in the 2022 budget of 512 million guilders. First, the expenditures (= spendings) were 315 million higher than budgeted for; and then, income was 207 million lower.
All during the present M*F*K Pias government and Finance minister Silly Bully's reign.
The ministries complain that posts of which it is known in advance that the amounts are insufficient, are accorded anyway. The list of exceedances is rather interesting in itself: Finance 69m; Traffic 57m; Health 66; Education 43m. All M*F*K ministers.
2024-05-10

Color Me Skeptical
Now there are plans to turn the Post Office in Punda into a national theater. (Remember how the former theater was burned down by protestors; against what eludes me right now.) At any rate, I foresee grave problems here. Any theater worth its name has a cellar below stage, which is of essential importance in many stage productions.
Yes, you could do without. And without its effects.
Not to mention parking space: most visitors would have to walk all the way across the Waaigat pedestrians' bridge to reach the place. Sure, it's good for 'em; but will they like it? My guess is, not much.
2024-05-08

What a Joke
But it's on us. Somebody got a 2500 guilders fine for building in an EOP Island Development Plan designed conservation area. Which does not even cover the price for building a toilet room.
Why he didn't get the maximum fine is a good question. On the other hand, that would be only 5000. (Or two months in prison, forget about that right away.)
Nobody would be surprised if the building continued just like that.
2024-05-07

Sic 'Em!
Clean Air for Everyone plans to go to court if parliament accepts the concept law for air quality requirements. Looks like everything in there only covers the refinery's interests.
Not that we expected anything else. CAE warns that the tourist sector will then be harmed, and that other court cases by Blue Ocean Pearl, Marriott and Dreams in Piscadera Bay may be expected, suing for damages.
2024-05-07

Now That
There's a shortage of teachers in the Dutch language which, despite all propaganda to go for Papiamentu education, is still in use in all higher-than-basic schools. About plans how to solve this I read not a word. Except there will be special inspections to identify any discrepancies. Later, at the end of the year. Betcha there will be found discrepancies—when it's too late.
2024-05-07

Make Them Work
For a change. Finance minister Silly Bully wants the Tax Persons to impose 80% of 2022 income tax assessments before July 1, and 60% of those for 2023.
About 140,000 assessments since 2019 have now been processed, half manually and half automatically, but 22,000 are still waiting. That's 15% of them.
2024-05-07

Good for Him
Michael Newton has been awarded the prestigious Colá Debrot cultural prize for his work on the Curaçao monuments conservation. Good for him, and hopefully for us too.
If that would mean more than an empty envelope. In his acceptance speech, Newton rightly emphasized there must be rules on the restoration of monuments. Now, everybody more or less does as they like. Must I once again point to the horrible Waterfort Plaza plans? Pen Resort? Yes, I'm afraid I must. Congrats, Michael!
2024-05-07

Renewable Energy
If this works, it's all to the good. The new factory of Energis nv which has already started up before the official opening is specialized in turning waste materials into biofuels and fuel re-use: gasolene, middle distillates (whatever those are), gas oil and basic oil. All from organic waste, plastics, used oils and other residual waste. Energis is apart of Swiss Clover Energy Group and plans to become an important exporter of renewable enrgy in the Caribbean.
At least this sounds more realistic then Steamboat Fuel's Bullenbaai plans. Antilliaans Dagblad comments it has asked Energis several questions but is still waiting for answers.
2024-05-07

Makes Us Curious
This week, we'll have parliament meetings on Air Quality and the LOK gambling enabling law. Both rather urgent, the first because of the planned re-opening of Isla refinery. The second? oh, no explanation needed.
2024-05-06

In Style
A parliament meeting had to be canceled, because only 2 members wanted to discuss the proposal (needed are 3) to introduce a screening for PM candidates. Strange, huh?
2024-05-06

Weather
The media tell us all about the terrible rains that hit Bandabao last weekend, but they mention 50mms of rain. We here measured 186mms. With an average rainfall (here, during the past 10 years) of 674mms that's almost 1/3 of it.
I mulishly keep refusing to follow the trend of changing geographical names because some know-it-all experts feel it doesn't fit their conception of "correct" spelling. It just isn't done.
That the water-catching dams have been neglected for many years has certainly helped in causing the enormous damages. Everybody could know about it, but the government has other priorities. Which we don't necessarily share. But relax: MP Pias has asked for an emergency meeting.
In Soto, over 300 mms of rain has fallen.
2024-05-06

Come On, Bully!
Cft financial supervision is worried, just as we all are, about finance minister Sylvania's mismanagement. Especially the CMC new hospital exorbitant costs are bothersome. It doesn't look like these problems are seriously considered.
We're used to that. Ask Holland for more money! And then, complain about neo-colonialism.
2024-05-06

Yeah, Well...
At least something's happening with the language politics in education. But what, isn't clear at all yet, as the experts admit. English, Spanish and Papiamentu get more and more important (?) but Dutch still is an official language. For Papiamentu, good educational material is needed.
That's putting it mildly. And it comes with a hefty price tag.
2024-05-04

Slow, But Sure?
A guy who stored large quantities of paper and cardboard without a permit has been ordered by court to remove them.
Now, before it will happen, a new ministerial order is needed to clarify how and when the government will interfere when the stuff isn't removed.
That's in Sans Souci - "No Problem"
2024-05-04

More of the Same
A Startup Launchpad invites young entrepreneurs to join a guidance program. The Curaçao tourist program must be transformed to a touristic experience, where factors are taken into account like climate change and other mondial challenges.
Sounds great, if you know what it really means.
It's because during the past 3 years tourism has grown so much.
2024-05-04

Continues, Question Mark?
M*F*K Minister Bolo Mudbelly Cooper continues improving the roads. Good to know, even if we hardly notice the results.
2024-05-04

No Way, Are You Kidding?
CFT financial supervision, after assessing the 2024 budget, had advised minister Silvania to align the budget with the Kingdom standards. Failure to do so may have bad results for Curaçao's fiscal stability and economy.
As if Silly Bully could. Or even wanted to.
2024-05-04

Ain't That Great
48% of Aqualectra utility's payment defaulters are to be found among industrial clients and the public sector, who together make up only 1% of the total. They are good for 26% of the debitors' saldo which is 115% of total turnover.
And yes, you got that straight: "Public sector" means, the government. Too bad we're not told, nor have the media seemed to ask (we're used to that), how much is that "public" part?
2024-05-04

Tough, Braam [BIS]
MP Braam tried the The Hague court to scratch his 2002 conviction, even though there's been a law change lengthening the retention period from 20 to 80 years.
Braam's problem here is, he wants to be a minister but can't as a convicted felon. There are limits, even in Curaçao.
Braam is a member of M*F*K, if you didn't think so already.
2024-05-04

It's Like That, Is It
FKP's Arthur Con has asked the government to transfer 19 million guilders FKP is supposed to get from Girobank, because "the government has plenty of money." Which will result in FKP paying out 1 million to HD&M, in clearer words to crooks Garmes and Shorty. According to PAR's Girigorie, this is a "fastball" by Bolo Mudbelly to help those two to some pecunia. Antilliaans Dagblad wonders if finance minister Silly Bully will cooperate in the scheme.
Between you and me, it wouldn't surprise me one bit if he did just that.
2024-05-03

That Will Help
PAR Pauletta has personally, herself, in person (with her brother), caught 4 men dumping trash at Dam Pretu. She forced them to clean up. It's well known that Pauletta often helps to clean up dumps in the kunuku.
If the 4 guys came back later to re-dump is, of course, not known.
2024-05-03

Sorry, had some FLOW internet problems (who doesn't?) but thanks to a guy working there they've been partly resolved.
So I could get rid of some mistakes in the content below. Thank you for your patience!
"Partly:" my landline phone still doesn't work. For over a week now.

Oh, Didn't They Have To?
KEM party's Martines wants the PMs who get money for foreign travels to answer for their expenditures. Now, he claims, they just pocket what they didn't spend.
What Martines doesn't seem to be aware of, I have had several jobs with a so-called séjours allowance. As far as it happened in those cases, I have never been asked for specifications how I spent it. Saved me from many hassles. Which doesn't mean Martines does not have a point.
2024-05-02

Gotcha
The State of the Netherlands has won cases against 14 online gambling enablers, 3 of which of Curaçao. This has been forbidden there (different from here, as if you didn't know). Over €100 million has been confiscated (but the suspects, five men and 1 person, made over €250m). The whole busines took several years.
2024-05-02

They Would
Royal Holding Company deplores the recent criticism on the actions taken around Zakitó. "Positioning of buildings and roads give sufficient guarantees to maintain the mangroves." Which is news to everybody else. It's also a pity that the media have not given them much chance to defend themselves; "that could have prevented many inaccuracies and unrest."
Only, it wouldn't have prevented the 7 skyscrapers (for Curaçao, that's what they are), ruining the fantastic vista on the lagoon and the sea. Not to mention other things.
Sign the petition! Please?
2024-05-02

Let's!
"El Salvador's President Nayyib Bukele stunned members of his cabinet on Monday but announcing plans to investigate them all for corruption," we're told. Except for one person there, the Attorney General who is not part of the executive branch.
We'd all like to see that happen here as well, but fat chance with PM Pias and "justice" minister Silly Bully.
Bukele also said, he didn't want to be the president that was surrounded by criminals. Hear, hear.
2024-05-01

/a>Don't Get It; But Oh...
Almost all my life I've been hearing warnings that there were far too many humans; the population was exploding and we were all doomed! Then, suddenly the Pointed Heads started worrying about the shrinking. It was a reason for importing Turks and Moroccans into Europe, so they could pay for the welfare pensions of the grayheads (also whiteheads). No reason to go on about that backfiring because of Jihad and because those imports often preferred to opt for welfare themselves.
Now, here, last year there were 56 babies less born than the year before; in fact, birth rate has gone down by 40% since 2014. Which with the influx of Venezuelan immigrants may give the nd into a Latino instead of half-European character.
2024-05-01

Why Not?
No doubt it's a well paying job: a woman has been appointed as Country Attaché for the American DEA here. Because Curaçao is a geographic hub for drug smuggling. Tell us about it.
If it will make one iota of difference is another matter.
2024-05-01

Oh, So, Knops
You may have noticed that I much preferred Knops's no-BS attitude over his follow-up state secretary van Hufteren's, but he was not so kosher either. He started a court case against newspapers publishing articles which were harmful and undermining for the rule of law; but the court found that the newspapers were right: it was a matter of tens of thousands of €uros.
2024-05-01

Ridiculous
It's only me; maybe I'm too sensitive, not to say allergic? Anyway, a guy returning from a Jamaica holiday was found to have 2 kilos of XTC pills in his luggage. Mala mucha! But he claimed knowing nothing about it; his brother who had helped him pack "possibly" had added the drugs. Ya think?
He got 30 months of calaboose time, which I think ridiculously much. What's 2 keys of drugs these days?
The guy did have a criminal past.
2024-05-01

Some Big Help
MAN party wishes to visit Isla refinery because of the bad state the installations are in. As if they know anything about it, or will speed up the repairs.
2024-05-01

Striking
1667 school pupils have started working on their final test. They all got the choice of doing it in Dutch or Papiamento.
Only 72 chose Papiamento.
2024-05-01

Lawlessness
Staten/parliament do not abide by the law, is the Amigoe headline. What else is new? you say. This time it's about the wenselijkheidsbegroting [one of those words only the Germans and Dutch can think of: desirable budget] which should be submitted on May 25th.
Only, they didn't make it and it will be May 2nd instead.
Of next year.
"Don't make no difference, mon," you say. Right you are.
2024-05-01

Making Amends
Flow, formerly UTS and Setel, communications utility which also provides Internet, has received scores of complaints recently. Rightly so: it's a mess. If you succeed in reaching their help desks at all, don't count on getting a satisfactory reaction.
Now, Fundashon pa Konsumidó will take action to ensure that consumers' interests will stay protected.
What do you mean, "stay"? "Remain"? Try using a dictionary.
2024-04-30

Making Amends
Minister Silly Bully has changed some details in the LOK gambling promoting law. Like, lawyers do NOT need a mandatory certificate anymore to be accredited. Also, the Gaming Board will become financially independent.
The LOK law should become effective in less than two months.
Meanwhile, PAR party says that the new law only serves the government and does nothing in the interests of stakeholders (i.e., the gambling mafia). I don't know where PAR picked up that nonsense. But after all, they're just politicians and can't be expected to know a thing.
2024-04-30

It Just Goes On
No matter all those judge's verdicts and opinions: once again mangroves have been destroyed in Zakitó for the future yacht harbor. This time, the people protesting have recorded it.
Not that it will help; sorry. Sign the petition, please! At least than you've done something.
People also fear, as they well might, that the koredor seaside boulevard for jogging and recreation will disappear. But... but... Bolo Mudbelly has assured them it will remain! Have some confidence, people!
2024-04-30

It Ain't True!
Venex Venezuelan association protests against the media articles claiming that Venezuelan prostitutes come over in drones, no, on line flights, to get settled here for services as escorts for USA and Canada tourists. Nothing but xenophobic and anti-immigration sentiments, says Venex.
I don't know about xenophobia, but in my opinion, by now you may be well excused to be anti-immigration. This is getting out of hand.
Good to know, the ministry of Justice is on its toes and will take measures to fight that illegal prostitution. Wow! that's a relief: they're taking action.
2024-04-30

How? From Where?
A Curazoleño has been arrested in Brazil for large-scale cocaine smuggling to Europe. He had 7 cell phones, from which the police gathered a lot of information. He bought the drugs in Colombia and Venezuela, but where he shipped them to and from we don't get to read. "Europe." And it seems unlikely they first went to Brazil. He was a member of the Brazilian criminal organization Primeiro Comando da Capita and allegedly also of Curaçao gang No Limits Soldiers.
In other news, near Curaçao's Dam Pretu, in an action to (finally) try to get rid of lot of illegal activities there, a marihuana plantation was discovered. (From the photo published I can only say, doesn't look like The Weed to me.) They're still looking for who ran it.
2024-04-27

Good Luck— You'll Need It
Undermining Action Curaçao (I guess they mean it the other way 'round) held a meeting of parties in the justice chain of firearms in Curaçao. An action plan was presented.
But details on how to reduce the number of illegal guns, and how to prevent smuggling more in,are not given. Small wonder.
2024-04-26

Anti-Social Measures
Minister Larmonie-Cecilia's recommendations for social security are more of the same. To mention only one item, AOV welfare pensions' age will, in 2030, be raised from 65 to 67. And not a word about raising the 2013 pay-out level. Did you expect any? No, guess not.
2024-04-26

Somehow, No Matter How
Arubian politican Mansur says that it's better to limit the number of tourists coming there, than to limit the number of licenses. In a 2018 probe by Aruba Tourism Authority it turned out Aruba is above the maximum of all 19 indicators.
Meanwhile, blast the torpedoes: the island is aspiring to get 1,240,000 visitors per year.
2024-04-26

Killer Cops
During a chase of guys who had attacked a Chinese restaurant, cops shot at the crooks' car, resulting in a crash where one of the gang died. So who really cares?
Wellll... the thing is, the cops falsified the report by claiming that they shot back in self-defense; also interfered with protocol by collecting fired gun shells.
This is not the first case where the cops have been trigger happy. Haïti, anybody? Venezuela? South Africa?
2024-04-26

Our Neighbors
Since we have regular line flights from Venezuela, not only tourism (good?) but also prostitution has gone up. "Ladies" arrive from there in droves to be picked up in existing networks, hiring apartments in which they offer their services on websites, mainly to USA and Canadian visitors. They can also be found in bars and other entertainment locations. And then we have to mention the influx via small boats which delivers a contingent as well.
2024-04-26

They, Too
Nine drivers have been fined because their license or car papers were not in order. So you're not safe even when hiring a cab, or buying a trip in a sight-seeing bus. In two taxicabs the tariff chart was not visible.
Oh, so they still have no meters?
2024-04-26

Ho! That Sounds Better
Aqualectra utility will not have to pay millions in damages to Sunny Side Up BV because of withdrawing tender for a solar panel park. So says court.
The good part is, the planned solar panel park will not be built, after negotations with Curine (C. industrial development) stranded.
2024-04-26

LOK vs. RVA
RVA advisory council has given unasked-for advice re. the new LOK gambling law. Like, there should be some checking on members of the Board of Directors and Supervisory Board. Good idea!
Government will follow the advice. If it will help?
Also, there are some changes in the accreditation of lawyers working for the gambling mafia. Same question.
2024-04-26

Enjoy!
The Civil Servants will get an extra day off after Ascension Day so they'll have a long weekend.
2024-04-26

Oh, That Looks Good... Jest Fine
Isla refinery bosses announce that, before the asphalt production starts, the entire refinery must be revised. Which is easy to believe. The idea was first to revise the "asphalt train" and later the rest, but it has been decided to do it all at once: "pipes, columns, pumps and other equipment." Good.
But. Workers attracted for the job will have to be paid the tariffs valid before the refinery closed, and the same goes for subcontractors. It is up to asphalt producer Golden Oil to accept this—or not. Workers' Union SGTK cannot accept attracting cheaper workers from outside, like Venezuela.
In two week from now, new agreements should have been signed.
Or not?
2024-04-25

Disgrace
Only one of too many to mention (even though I try to keep track). It's about the use of Parlatino, now holding a meeting in Curaçao. In a discussion in Staten/parliament KEM Mercelina described the presence of MPs as a sinberguenseria, shamelessness, and I definitely feel he has a point. But head America-Francisca disagreed: some MPs were doing actual work and Mercelina shouldn't call them all crooks.
Maybe not.
2024-04-25

Who?
For the umpteenth time, people living around Dam Pretu are bothered by the smoke originating from the buried burning trash. Illegally dumped, of course! and then covered by earth. Which makes you question some things: isn't there any control on that dumping? It just proceeds, while it should easily be stopped? And then covered by earth; not by a guy with a spade and a wheelbarrow, but by bulldozers. Which should easily be stopped.
People with lung problems are advised to move elsewhere. Like, to the cemetery? A national disgrace.
2024-04-25

Not Even That
The country will, this year, receive even less than the estimated meager 40 million guilders from the overflowing cash boxes of the gambling mafia. In fact, now it's guesstimated at a mere 20 million.
2024-04-25

Who Cares
The Spoiled Brats don't. Minister Martina has started the Government Academy, where soiled rats will be trained and developed. A good thing, you say?
Yes, it could and should be but probably isn't and won't. The project had an enormously long start, with much being discussed but little realized. The civil servants were not interested (really?) and it all had be done for ten cents' worth. One of them characterized it, using a Dutch expression, as een hele dure vlag op een modderschuit [a very expensive banner on a mud barge].
2024-04-24

Di Nos E Ta! or, Xenophobia
Bolo Mudbelly Cooper, our not-so-beloved-minister, has expressed his antipathy against architect Dennis Klaus earlier in the past. He and Foundation Pro Monumento/Amigu di Tera are against the ruination development of Curaçao; and what makes it worse, says Bolo (shaking all his chins) is, Klaus is a mere estranhero and should shut up.
Klaus, admittedly born in what's now Indonesia, has only been living in Curaçao for 64 years.
2024-04-24

Some Idea!
MAN-PIN's (a combined gang of parties these days) McWilliams thinks the government must introduce a "visitor's entrance fee" upon arrival, to replace the sales tax on apartments, which then can be abolished.
Because it's impossible for the Tax Person effectively to control the enormous number of apartments rented out via Airbnb, Booking.com and [many] other digital platforms. In other words, admit its impotence. What is the Tax Dept. for anyway, other than making money for themselves?
The amount generated would be, on 600,000 (!) tourists/year, over 80 million guilders. As usual, the source doesn't take the trouble to mention it, but that amounts to 135 guilders/person. Now, Ali Baba gathers 15 million a year in sales tax, for which must put in much effort and (gaah) work.
The good thing about this plan is, CTB would get their subsidy out of that, not out of our taxes. That money can then be wasted somewhere else.
Too bad if you're a family visitor. Makes you a tourist, anyway.2024-04-24

Won't Help Much
Is my guess, at least. Dutch state secretary van Hufteren, upon discussion of our finance minister Sylvania's gambling law in Dutch parliament, expresses her discontent. Silly Vain Bully "failed to adequately inform the Temporary Work Organization of all changes."
So what?
2024-04-24

Slow Nitwits
Yes, I mean the government. Our Great Leaders, for crying out loud. They're looking for a solution to the problem of uninsured vehicles (30%), a national pest by now, and haven't come any farther than trying to photograph them and their license plates. So, presumably, they could be found.
Do they really expect that to work? How about fake license plates? Just try and find the responsible owners.
But another problem is, they still haven't adopted a law to enable the police to fine drivers caught committing traffic violations. Which has been in the works for years and years already. Hence, all those surveillance cameras are worthless.
They're worthless anyway, you say? Good point.
2024-04-24

Look at It Another Way, Maybe
UNCHR estimates there are currently 14,000 Venezuelans on Curaçao "undocumentedly" or illegal, take your pick, almost 10% of the total population, making it one of the highest numbers of migrants per capita in the world. And their rights are often violated! Such a shame.
Say, UNHRC, why not look at Venezuela, where the regime forces them to flee from? And what are the €uropeans complaining about, anyway.
2024-04-23

If Then
Asphalt production at Isla refinery's premises will not start next month, as announced earlier and disbelieved by anybody, but only in September. 2024-04-23

A Pity
Foundation for consumer protection has done research on several tire sale outlets and what they sell. Too bad that, even though they are all mentioned by name, the results aren't published by Curacao.nu; nor can we find the results at the foundation's website. 2024-04-23

He Would
Finance minister Silly Bully's opinion on the state debt differs from Cft's [financial supervision]; as usual. Cft thinks paying back should go faster, but Bully feels it's more important to invest in infrastructure (where money can be made—much money). Besides, says Bully, debt is going down already. Which, you'll have to admit, is pretty unique for the island. 2024-04-23

Those that Survived
The mangroves brutally removed by bulldozers at Zakitó have to be replanted elsewhere, the judge admonishes. Now we can all resume breathing.
Where else, we're not told. I humbly suggest Malpais landfill.
2024-04-23

Fine with Me
Dutch officialdom advises stopping use of FakeBooc pages for privacy reasons.
In sharp contradistinction with our minister Silly Vain Bully, who makes the impression of using it as his favorite outlet. 2024-04-23

What a Waste
A large part of the Wiedergutmachung [make good] budget to compensate for the slavery past will be spent on slave descendants changing their names. That's 15 million of the €33m budget.
Not long ago, about the first thing people explained to you was that their [female christian name] family name stemmed from that period. And proudly, too. If, on the other hand, Dutchmen oops persons wants to get rid of their embarrassing family names, which they didn't choose for either, have to pay up themselves.
2024-04-23

Short & Snappy
Dutch state secretary van Hufteren, after recently waxing really excited about the great job our government is doing on Curaçao's future, now in a letter to Dutch parliament expresses without more ado that the "decisiveness and tight direction" of the Pisas coalition is "insufficient".
Why she only now arrives at that insight remains a mystery. It's still a very weak description of what really is NOT going on. 2024-04-22

Not Now
Social minister Larmonie-Cecilia has introduced a number of proposals to improve the island's social security. But the contents are still secret, until next month.
I'm really curious. For example, about the AOV welfare pension, which has been sticking in the mud for 11 years now. Swellfare, it ain't. 2024-04-22

Little Chance
... that Venezuela will militarily intervene in Curaçao and Aruba. So opines Dick Drayer on NOS radio. Maybe, even probably; but only because we do have some Dutch protection, and because Venezuela's military ain't worth a flyin' fart. It wouldn't be the first time they tried; nor, let's face it, the last.
Really worrisome, as Drayer mentions, is Maduro's seeking rapprochement to Russia, China and yes, Iran. 2024-04-22

Sounds Familiar
"Many of the most sought-after tourist attractions are becoming over-crowded in a way that is disrupting the life of the locals in an unacceptable way," we read. But our Big Bleeders are too blind to see it coming. Al contrali, they keep gloating and spurring us on to celebrate. Building more and more hotels like there's no tomorrow— in which they may turn out to be right, things go on like this.
More quotes from the same article; first from Tenerife:
"Holding placards reading 'People live here' and 'We don't want to see our island die', demonstrators said changes must be made to the tourism industry that accounts for 35% of gross domestic product (GDP) in the Canary Islands archipelago."
For us, now, it's 25% already.
"They also want to enact curbs on property purchases by foreigners." While we're still welcoming penshonados who drive up real estate prices and, thus for us as well, taxes.
"The archipelago of 2.2 million people was visited by nearly 14 million foreign tourists in 2023" or 16 for every inhabitant, up 13%—CTB jubilates we had 582,409 stay-over visitors on a population of 150,000 (25 for every inhabitant, up 19%).
Then from Amsterdam:
"Construction of a new hotel in Amsterdam will only be allowed if another structure closes."
Oh, how I wish... Not with Bolo Mudbelly fleshing out the saddle.
2024-04-21

Certainly
Curaçao's economy performance from 2010-2024 doesn't make it, Amigoe tells us. We didn't need to be told. That's since we became independent, to make sure you notice.
Not that it was performing that well before then.
After a 0.6% growth 2010-2011 it shrank by 2.1% until 2018. Later figures are not given.
2024-04-20

Please, Keep Us Abreast
Dutch intelligence agencies are investigating Venezuelan political and military developments. Only now? you ask. Yes, only now. Mainly because of the Guyana conflict.
Not a word about cocaine production. Still, we'd all very much like to know what turns up. 2024-04-20

Took Long
But hey, this is Curaçao! In 2016 the police searched ex-CBCS director Tromp's house. But it's only now Central Bank has lodged a complain against him and his former secretary-director, Jerrald "Jerry" Hasselmeyer. For fraud and corruption.
Tromp retired in 2017. 2024-04-20

Spare Us! Please?
March was the strongest tourist month ever: 63,556 stay-over visitors. I never trusted the CTB's figures in past years, but now I do. The proof is right before us on a daily base.
It's because of Easter that they arrived in drones. That's some, but not much, relief. Many were probably not real tourists, but family visits. 2024-04-20

This Time, Agree Wholeheartedly
The headline was "Old building makes way for new shopping center." Uh Oh. But no, this time I'm glad too see that particular one, next to Chobolobo, go. Whoever designed it should be hanged. But he probably expired long since. Rest in peace.
2024-04-20

#Me Neither
Party MAN wants to introduce higher punishments for thievery; to wit of cars, cattle and of tourist's property. Always the same: Tourists are holy but we, not so much. But RvA advisory council; doesn't think the extra fright effect will make much difference.
2024-04-20

Great Question!
There is upheaval ("storm in a teacup" and a minute one too—meant is the teacup) about a letter PM Prick Pisas has written about Curaçao's decolonization. In 2020 he wanted the UN to look at the problem (once again), and used that in his election campaign; but now, he writes that he wonders if the people support such a request and that it has no priority.
Which makes people wonder out loud, "Can the guy even read?" I've wondered myself.
Apart from that, do the people support it indeed? Well, they did vote for him...
2024-04-19

Another Confidence Builder
Now, seriously. Tax Collector Trona will, he himself, develop new "stricter control and guidelines" for the Tax Authority, following the outright scandal exposed by Soab.
That's like having a criminal act as his own prosecutor and judge at the same time. Come on, now!
"This may be seen as problematic" says Curaçao Chronicle. Yes, by some paranoid persons. But this will make more persons paranoid.
Anyway, if you think that solving those abuses may result in tax relief, you must be terribly naïve. 1-They never have enough; 2-They always spend it all; 3-They spend more than comes in.
2024-04-19

Overproduction
Agriculturists and horticulturists will get free water from a reverse osmosis company which has an overproduction. It will be distributed by LVV department.
Let us all wonder what the distribution alone will cost; and then, where the reverse osmosis company gets the money from.
2024-04-19

One More Story
SKBC foundation child protection CUR has money problems. Reason, the government has cut the subsidies. Also, the foundation complains that their role in the Kodego di Protekshon [reporting code] is no longer officially recognized by the ministries.
Plenty more stories like that. Why subsidize when you can put all that lovely money to much better use?
2024-04-19

Zakitó Petition
Maybe I gave the link already; I should have! But here it is: here you can petition those-in-power to stop the rape of Zakitó. Over 1100 signatures already, which isn't very much. Next goal, 1500.
It may not help, I'm afraid it won't; but sign and you've done what you can—which is more than most of us will do. Much more.


We're Saved! Praise the Lord
The Plastic Law has been accorded. Took only two years. Now we can go to sleep peacefully. The government is on its toes?—anyway, too often, ours as well.
2024-04-18

'Bye Damen Dox
The 2 floating docks, installed with much ballyhoo in 2018 ago by Damen Shipyards/CDM-DOK will definitely disappear from Schottegat. One has already been removed completely, the other one has been sunk to be taken apart for scrap, sold to Asia.
The docks arrived here D.O.A.: as a total loss. No wonder Damen is in trouble.
CPA and all are quite content with the way the work is handled. We, not so much. Another farce. Join the club! The more, the merrier.
2024-04-18

Duh. Huh
Minister Silly Bully tells the media that the developers of the Zakitó area still must act conform the law. Sure. "Participation of local residents can help to ensure that developments not only provide economic benefits, but are also social and ecologically sustainable."
Yeah, sure.
2024-04-18

One More Flop
The judge has decided that work on Zakitó buildings and yacht harbor complete with bridge may be continued. Pro Monumento and Amigu di Tera were too late with their protests and filing a court case. Besides, the court found that, after their considering their arguments anyway, these didn't hold water.
The case filed by residents in the area has already been declared inadmissible, which was confirmed in appeals court. They were too late as well.
Hey, we're in Curaçao here, right?
2024-04-18

Will That Work?
My guess is, "No". Sylviania comes with a hotline, or a melding point, where people can complain about unjust treatment by the Tax Persons.
If that works, it'd be a miracle for sure. Our experience has been that you have to go to the office time and time again and again, often only to be told that nothing has been done ("warda un rato mas"—wait a bit longer) or that the files have been mislaid, so sorry.
2024-04-18

It Is a Problem
M*F*K wants a "structural" solution for the 4300 (!) homes that currently lack a water connection. Mostly lower-income families, they add. Some surprise!
They should be reconnected. And we pay, of course. That's not 'structural', or is it?
That a solution must be found is of course so.
2024-04-18

That Bad?!
An letter writer to Amigoe opines those police stops are another farce. What should be done, he says, is a roadblock where every car is stopped and held on a plot to be controlled. None escapes.
He then recounts how he's made a habit of counting cars without valid license plates, on his regular trips from Westpunt to Pariba and says he has encountered 50 of them in 30 minutes. I never did that, but it's the same for much-too-dark windows.
I must add, I don't see the value of those blank windows, letting through all skin-cancer UV rays. That they disrupt your viewing is nonsense; the same applies to sunglasses.
It's the cops who want to be able to meddlingly have a look at all drivers.
Also, in Holland those "roadblocks" have been declared unconstitutional decennia ago. It turns every citizen into a suspect, which is a NoNo. At least, over there. 2024-04-18

Worse Gets Badder
Tourism formed 8.1% of GPD in 2005, 14.9% in 2015 and 25% today. But Curaçao tourism's part in the Caribbean total remains 2%.
But only one MP, PAR member Croes, took the trouble to participate in the Association of Dutch Caribbean Economists 'symposium 'ABC-Islands (too) dependent on tourism? But 5ministers were present at the recent opening of yet another Corendon hotel.Seven PMs, one third of parliament, opted to visit the Amsterdam symposium on mobility,'Intertraffic'. But there was no quorum for a Staten| meeting with destiitute school boards. Who cares?
2024-04-18

Little Problem There
In the (rich) Mahaai neighborhood there's a problem because some guy pumps the groundwater up and discrads it onto the roadway. Which causes algae to grow there, which makes the surface slippery and dangerous. His neighbors want him to stop.
But the guy says there was a system to deposit the water inh a nearby channel, but it was damaged during road works by a company supervised by DOW public works .
2024-04-18

Easily Pleased?
Makes you think a bit. Minister Silly Bully is very pleased with a letter he got from Dutch State secretary van Hufteren. Supporting his great conduct in the Trona Tax affair.
Makes you sick a bit.
We who did pay, paid a record of tax proceeds: 402 million in 20124QI.
2024-04-18

Come On
Cft financial supervision concludes, in spite of several details that look suspicious to me, that the country's budget complies with the kingdom's standard. But mark, the Ennia proposal is not really incorporated in there yet.
2024-04-18

Illegal
At an Otrabanda inspection, 12 illegal residents were arrested and two snackbars were closed because they lacked proper permits. Two more were not closed, even though they were stealing electricity.
2024-04-18

Well, I Never!
The head of the Gang of Rogues AKA Tax Reveiver, Trona, may stay on but his rooming room will be heavily curbed. I'll spare you the details; it's a very moot point if they will ever by really realized anyway.
Now we look forward to his threatened revelations. That could be fun!
There's an obvious pun in Dutch on Trona's visage, AKA tronie: kisser, mug, you get the idea.
He looks the part. In dramatic circles, this is known as a "character role".
2024-04-17

Do It!
Not that it will help. Just maybe might... ARC [court of audit] wants to extend its responsiblities. Mainly to look into FKP public housing, where several fishy machinations have been going on. For years.
But as nobody listens to ARC's recommendations anyway, they might as well get that extension.
2024-04-17

Oh, then It's Kosher
Even though two of the three main criteria for the Zakitó 'development' have not been met, permits were granted anyway.
Nobody's surprised.
2024-04-16

Worse Gets Badder
Tourism formed 8.1% of GPD in 2005, 14.9% in 2015 and 25% today. But Curaçao tourism's part in the Caribbean total remains 2%.
But only one MP, PAR member Croes, took the trouble to participate in the Association of Dutch Caribbean Economists' symposium 'ABC-Islands (too) dependent on tourism?' But 5 ministers were present at the recent opening of yet another Corendon hotel.Seven PMs, one third of parliament, opted to visit the Amsterdam symposium on mobility,'Intertraffic'. But there was no quorum for a Staten meeting with destitute school boards. Who cares?
2024-04-16

Little Problem There
In the (rich) Mahaai neighborhood there's a problem because some guy pumps the groundwater up and discards it onto the roadway. Which causes algae to grow there, which makes the surface slippery and dangerous. His neighbors want him to stop.
But the guy says there was a system to deposit the water into a nearby channel, but it was damaged during road works by a company supervised by DOW public works .
2024-04-16

Easily Pleased?
Makes you think a bit. Minister Silly Bully is very pleased with a letter he got from Dutch State secretary van Hufteren. Supporting his great conduct in the Trona Tax affair.
Makes you sick a bit.
We who did pay, paid a record of tax proceeds: 402 million in 20124QI.


Come On
Cft financial supervision concludes that, in spite of several details that look suspicious from here, that the country's budget complies with the kingdom's standard. But mark, the Ennia proposal is not really incorporated in there yet.
2024-04-16

Illegal
At an Otrabanda inspection, 12 illegal residents were arrested and two snack bars were closed because they lacked proper permits. Two more were not closed, even though they were stealing electricity.
2024-04-16

Now Australia
Not for the first time that country becomes troublesome for the gambling mafia. ACMA, Australia Media and Communications Authority plans to block 950 of Curaçao licensed online gambling houses. It's hoped the new LOK law will safeguard consumers from illegal gambling activities.
Alas, I don't really share that hope.
2024-04-13

Big Deal
159 vehicles have been checked in a large-scale traffic control. 32 fines for driving over maximum speed, without a valid driver's license, valid insurance or safety belt, and with a damaged windscreen. 3 cars were taken away by tow trucks.
Total in fines 2800 guilders. Which makes you ask yourself if that even covers cops' car costs, salaries, and overtime.
2024-04-12

In Character
Antilliaans Dagblad wonders why there have been more protests rising from the people against the criminal tax persons. (AD doesn't follow this Circus, that's for sure).
But that's all as it always was, AD! Only hopefully, not as it always will be. Even if it's getting to look like that.
2024-04-12

Fine with Me
For now, the Dutch law wanting to send back criminal Antillians to where they came from has been put aside. Good. We don't want them back here, either. Got plenty of our own.
2024-04-12

Sigh of Relief
Now ain't that good news! The Ennia accord has been signed, so it's now final: we will all have to cough up 30 million/year for those pensions that millionaires stole. For how many years again? 30 years, right.
2024-04-12

Intentions
Bolo Mudbelly Cooper at it again! He wants to build a seaside boulevard along the cost from Marichi to the new Pen resort. 700 meters long and 15-20 meters wide. Reason given, water comes up higher and higher and starts to abrade foundations of buildings along the cost.
Other reason might just possibly be, there's plenty of money in that thar boulevard.
2024-04-12

Once Again, Promises
The Police wants to take stronger measures against illegal guns. First, Good Luck. Second, how long have we been hearing this already? The public ministry OM calls it a socially disruptive problem and they just might have a point there. On the other hand, there are times I wish I had a gun, myself. Seriously.
Then we'll see who gets disrupted here!
2024-04-11

Will It Help?
You and I know the answer: NO. Dutch government may feel the "shocking findings" of Soab must lead to righting of past wrongs, but we've already had our esteemed government's answer: nothing will be done. Not to mention righting of future wrongs: it will just go on like this. As van Hufteren darn well is aware.
2024-04-11

Nice, Huh?
Officially, according to CBS statistics, last year inflation went down from 7.4% tot 3.5%. Great! Only, in 2023 "Food" went up by 13.9%. Where it really hurts, of course. In fact, everything went UP except Housing and Transport/Communication. Musta been the gas prices, maybe. "Food" is Other categories are Beverage and Tobacco (11.6), Clothing and Footware (10.6), Housing (.3), Household (4.3), Medical (6.9), Transport and Communication (-11.1), Recreation/Education (8.9), Miscellaneous (5.1).
2024-04-11

Seriously, this Time
Not the usual panicking gang NOAA but more sober parties as well are predicting a heavy hurricane season. The "Season from Hell"! The most frightening and dire ever: Named Storms 25-30; Hurricanes 14-16; Major Hurricanes 6-8.
If we will here be hit is a moot point; better start checking your house and garden conditions—and hope your neighbors do the same.
No kidding, folks.
2024-04-10

Over & Done
Maybe—wait for more surprises. CPR Curaçao Petroleum Refinery (say Curazoleño Doran) has lost a court case against (Usa-Venezuelan) Socorro, concluding the transfer of CPR shares to third parties is illegal and must be reversed. This also has consequences for CRU (Isla Refinery), as Doran should never have been acting as a management member of CRU.
2024-04-10

Oh, So
More money trouble. It takes months to open a new bank-account, and some people won't get one anyway, PNP MP Djaoen-Genaro tells minister Silly Bully.
Promising, with those new debit card costs. Time for a Cash Come-Back?
2024-04-10

No Sh*t, No EV
ABC bus company will buy 5 new buses, expected to arrive in October. 4 large ones (52 PAX) and one medium size (32 PAX). All will have airco and comply with the newest demands for pollution and ergonomy. No info if these are the promised school buses. Total costs 2 million.
If the low-floor medium buses turn out satisfactory, 9 more may be ordered for 3 million guilders total. Sounds like diesel, no EV-nonsense.

When you want to buy a "small" drink at McDonalds et al, there's no such thing available. You can get "medium" or "large".
2024-04-10

No Need to Worry
For Baoase at least. For the rest of us, maybe yes. Baoase luxury resort wants to extend its facilities by building on a fill-up in the sea. How large the area will be, and how much will be built on it, remains a secret.
Antilliaans Dagblad tried to get a look at the plans, but even though they should be made available at Domeinbeheer [domain management] until April 15, not a chance. They newspaper was finally referred to Roy Markes, who "didn't think it proper to go public before the plans had been accorded."
And we oafs thinking the public inspection of the plans was part of the licensing process. Not so, of course, with minister Bolo Mudbelly at the helm.
2024-04-09

Think First, Jump Later
PNP MP Djaoen-Genaro reminds PM Prick Pias that trash is not separated before Selikor picks it up to take it to the landfill. Selikor personnel should separate it themselves, but she concludes this is inefficient. People should be able to sort trash themselves and then dumping it into containers.
(Talk about inefficient.)
She wants Pias to look into the problem. As if he had time, not to mention interest.
In the Dutch town den Haag/the Hague, followed by other places, this separation of compostable and non-organic trash has been done by the local waste company for almost a century now.
In other locations, we read that after pick-up separated trash has often just been mixed up and dumped together with all other trash.
2024-04-09

Too Complicated
Is what SER social-economic council says about the new gambling rules for Curaçao. Gambling institutes care not so much about the fees they must pay to the government (which must a real surprise to minister Silly Bully, who has them pay ridiculously little) as in simplicity in applying for a license.
And then, SER goes on to say that Curaçao is attractive because of its fast and efficient license procedure. Maybe you can explain the contradiction here; it certainly is beyond me.
Except for thinking, one more bloody mess we're landing in.
2024-04-09

You Decide
Good or bad? No progress has been made in the first 3 months of this year on the start of the announced asphalt factory, which was supposed to start work next month. Harms, representing contract cooperators of Isla refinery, says meetings have little or no solid substance and are mainly political.
It may be bad news for the workers, but good news for our lungs.
2024-04-09

"Secret"
Lawyer Peppi, or maybe Kokki, Sulvaran claims the Curaçao judiciary system discriminates on color and income. As regards income, what else is new? That's sort of standard all over the world: when you're more "civilized" the judge is better prepared to listen to your arguments. As regards color, might well be so; then again, he may be talking out of the back of his neck.
That's what I can't help thinking when he goes on about a "secret file" that's inaccessible for defendant and his lawyer. How does he know, huh? Which doesn't mean it would not exist—or would. Sulvaran promises more later.
"Color" often, but not always, goes together with higher or lower income, or erudition.
2024-04-09

Cashless Society? Not So Fast
The banks will change their debit cards for a new system, where payments will have to be made using the MasterCard and Visa system. Which results in much higher costs for the payee. Several of those have already announced they do not accept the new debit cards. Many already refuse credit cards for the same reason.
Another result may be, even higher prices for everything; just to fatten the banks.
Deliberations will be starting by the (new) National Payment Council, with the banks and CBCS central bank.
And it's a safe bet, cash prices will go up as well. Hey!
2024-04-08

Oh, It's Like That?
Story goes around about a "woman of color" that hit a "glass cliff" when given a leading function in a mostly white setting. It's given attention by someone "fervently in favor of diversity and inclusion" to NOT coin a phrase. I'm not mentioning any names.
For starters, I don't doubt it for one fraction of a second. I've heard plenty, too many, stories of whities complaining about the same thing in reverse. Figures that it works both ways.
2024-04-08

They Keep Coming (Back)
Once again, a Venezuelan Yola boat has been wrecked on Oostpunt. It was full of refugees, with guns and at least one child aboard. Several of them had been kicked out already, but obviously like the island better than their country.
Six were arrested pretty soon, and later in the day seven more. There may be still more on the loose, but the press messages differ.
2024-04-08

Maybe?
It's not sure at all if FKP social housing, and with them HD&M's Garmes and Shorty, will get money out of the bankrupt Girobank. There may not be a penny left. Which is fine with me as far as those last two are concerned.
2024-04-08

Hurrah, Honkies! Cool, Crackers!
PAN political party demands slavery restitution payments (by Holland) for every Curaçao citizen. Here's your chance, ligvellige makambas and penshonados, to come into some extra money. Vote for PAN so they will get a parliament seat (now they don't have one).
No way of telling if it's PAN's Rojer or the newspapers that are that dumb. Maybe both; I shouldn't wonder.
2024-04-07

By Law Now
After the suspicious Venezuela "referendum" crook president Maduro has declared the controversial part of Guyana is now part of Venezuela, by law. (Remember? that region that by a coincidence is oil-rich.)
A good thing that both Venezuela and Guyana have made clear that they won't start a war on this. But somehow, I don't fully trust Maduro—call me paranoid.
2024-04-07

That Don't Fly
At Hato airport, here was a fire in an engine of Venezuelan Albatros airlines, who have been in more trouble recently. Like an aircraft confiscated in Aruba because of unpaid repair/maintenance charges.
JetAir Caribbean wants to start charter flights executed by Albatros, but more and more people wonder if this is a desirable thing.
2024-04-06

Cooper at Work
There's no stopping Bolo Mudbelly in the "development" of the island. Now it's two building projects for which no building permits have been granted, but which seem to go ahead full steam anyway. Both at Caracasbaaiweg, already one big traffic obstruction. One at Jan Thiel, were else? Answer: at Brakkeput, that one by APC pension fund.
2024-04-06

That's a Lot
What Aqualectra needs to catch up on years of... [let it go, won't help] is 1/3 of the country's annual budget.
In fact, they also need it to invest in still more green dreamery.
2024-04-06

Take Your Pick
One newspaper writes that CBCS central bank predicts a 2024 economy growth of 4.8%; another one of 3.1%.
2024-04-06

For the Tourists, Yes
For us, not so much. Reputedly, there are now 528 cases of dengue. The usual warnings (which never seem to help much) have been given: clean up your garden, get rid of water receptacles where the mosquitos breed, etc.
But not a word about the anti-dengue vaccination Dutch people can get in Holland before they leave. Hey, shut up, clean up, and pay your taxes.—if you get sick, too bad. Welcome, dear tourist.
2024-04-05

Who Cares
It has been found out that FKP social housing has been using templates for concrete walls that are 5 cms shorter than the legal norm. These have been used in Sapaté, Mantagne Abou, Wechi and now again for 204 houses in Tera Korá.
FKP knew about it all the time; the 5cms difference is because a concrete floor was poured after the walls had been built. New, also too short, templates have even been ordered. And most have been paid for as well.
2024-04-05

Happens Again
Malpais landfill caught fire, which has happened before. Responsible Selikor asks the people living around there for understanding if they're bothered by smoke.
Much easier than taking your responsibility and preventing fires.
2024-04-05

Sad
The animal shelter at Parera has to close. No money. No subsidies. But who's to blame?
According to economy ministry, the Shelter has not applied for subisidy the way it should. Hey, I wouldn't know if that's true.
2024-04-05

#HereToo? Not Yet
As far as I know. But in Holland, since 2023 an anti-dengue vaccin has become available. While there are several fat question marks to be applied, the question as so often is: why haven't we here heard about it?
If we did, it did not make the media.
Here's the link. Sorry, in Dutch.
2024-04-04

Who Cares
Bolo Mudbelly Cooper doesn't seem to. The people living around Zakitó have asked him for comments on the planned yacht harbor as regards environmental concerns—in November last year. But no reaction has been forthcoming from him.
Small wonder. As if he could.
2024-04-04

What Else
PNP defends Tax Person Trona against Silly Bully's allegations: "He can't defend himself." They got that straight; it's impossible in the light of Soab's charges. To add to the (pretty transparent) smoke screen the party's Larmonie-Cecilia starts talking about Silly Vain's bullying of his subordinates. So?
At any rate, looks like Trona did defend himself.
It is all resulting in friction within the coalition, which may be all to the good. Just don't count on a split-up.
Besides, the next batch will be just as rotten. We know only too well by now.
2024-04-04

You Want to Know...
... what I think about the announced closer cooperation between CPA and Colombia on the harbors? Can't help having my thoughts turning to drugs, coming in "somehow" and being transported to Europe from our harbor. Don't blame me, please!
2024-04-04

Now It's Secret?
The parliamentary inquiry on the new hospital will now be continued, looking into the actual building of it. But these sessions are not public.
Next week we're promised a press meeting to enlighten us all. By now, I'm hardly curious anymore. I just can't get over the feeling that it will all lead nowhere.
2024-04-04

CyraNose
Double pun in two languages. Or maybe three, but who's counting? An actor playing the character of Cyrano de Bergérac is always equipped with a formidable fake proboscis; in Dutch called "a wax nose" [wassen neus] which expression also stands for something that doesn't help at all.
In this case, the promised tax reforms. Nothing will happen to help us to get rid of that hoard of crooks, the Tax Persons, stealing from us all on a daily base. Who's kidding whom—or trying to?
2024-04-03

One More...
HD&M company, property of Rudney Garmes, of whom ex-PM Shorty is a collaborator, will get 1 million guilders out of the bankrupt Girobank scandal disaster. As a "success fee." Out of 19 million FKP social housing is supposed to get from Girobank.
I'll spare you the details. Just one more thing. Yawn.
And yes, it looks like Shorty gets his cut. Names have been blacked out in the forms.
2024-04-03

Dengue
Another outburst of dengue fever. We get them regularly, mostly in the rainy season though, which is months past. There are 20 (tourist) cases in hospital with already 3 deaths this time around.
But that can be no reason for tourists not to come, we're told: "Some will get it, some won't." Wow! that's good to know.
Here's a new one making its way to the island: oropouche. Not that we have many sloths around from which the virus can be transmitted. Except those in Ali Baba's Cavern, government seat Fort Amsterdam.
2024-04-03

That We Want to See
Hato Airport is at work on a system where every passenger will use an e-pass which enables him to pass immigration in 20 seconds.
Maximum number of passengers in a Boeing 787 is 300, which would still result in 100 minutes, almost 2 hours, total processing time. Let us hope there are more than one immigration stations available.
2024-04-03

Bad
65% of the people have debts. And many are poor and live below the subsistence minimum. A credit card debt with 18% interest (which I think is criminally high) is bad enough, but there are plenty of loan sharks around who charge even more.
Now SOAW social affairs ministry will investigate the problem. That will be a big help (/sarcasm>.
2024-04-03

Who Cares
We are warned to check the seals and codes on alcohol bottles. If they're covered up, safety and authenticity of the contents are not guaranteed.
Looking at it in another way, it means that the product may have been imported by other parties than the "official" agents.
2024-04-03

Fait Wates
Aqualectra promises us we only have to wait for next year, when umpteen more millions have been invested in a not-so-green wind-mill "park" and their tariffs will go down. As I've quoted before, "that would be a miracle for sure."
Here's another quotation, from Marc Morano, who surely knows more than I do:
"In those jurisdictions that have succeeded in getting generation from renewables up to as high as about 30% of their total electricity supply, the result has been an approximate tripling in the price of electricity for their consumers. The few (basically experimental) jurisdictions that have gotten generation from renewables even higher than that have had even greater cost increases for relatively minor increases in generation from renewables. As the percentage of electricity coming from renewables increases, the consumer price increases accelerate."
2024-04-02

Trona's Terror
A "high-placed official" explains to Antilliaans Dagblad howcum no steps will be taken against tax inspector Trona. It's quite simple and predictable. Many politicians, coalition and opposition, as well as Soiled Rats made a habit of contacting Trona to solve their little problems, and he obliged. That's what friends are for, after all.
But if he gets kicked off his chair, he may open up, which is what they want to avoid. Only to be expected.
Remaining question: will we all take this, once again, lying down not to rock the boat? Or will we, for once, protest in a fruitful manner?
I certainly have fought my fights.
2024-04-02

Looking for € Six Million
To finance yet another pipe dream. This time, to start pilot flights with so-called "hybrid planes" between the ABC-islands. At any rate, thankfully no mention of the CUR-SXM route. Even those know-nothings seem to have come to the conclusion that's no good.
Talk is about a Cessna Skymaster push-pull aircraft equipped with a giant battery underneath which can transport (are you ready?) three (3!) passengers. The "push" engine will be electrified; the "pull" engine is still gasoline-driven. Why not both electric, you ask? Well, we can only guess it's because that would mean a still larger and heavier battery.
Why the pilot would cost €6m? A 1980 Skymaster (gasoline of course) can be bought for $350,000 and will transport 6 passengers.
The last Skymaster was built in 1982.
But Ampaire themselves have already been testing their Eco Caravan between the ABC islands. It's the Cessna 208, a single-engine plane taking 9 passengers; but miraculously, the Ampaire version takes 11. Ampaire says the battery is located "in the cargo pod" but in their own photo it's clearly mounted under the cabin. At least, this one is still in production.
2024-04-02

Not News
The deadline for registering sub-licensed online gambling houses has been extended from March 31 to April 30. The government sure is bending over backwards to give them a chance to continue their activities. Quelle surprise!
Because several of them had "logistic problems"—whatever. Translation: they're not even able to get this done. No matter, the GCB gaming board has already licensed 8 of them anyway, even though the new LOK law hasn't been introduced yet.
But there will come no restrictive list of countries where Curaçao gambling houses may be active. I take it, meant is "not active".
2024-04-02

Nice, Not
4 cops are suspects in a case where, after a chase if a car containing guys fleeing after an atrako, which crashed after they had loosened their guns on it, resulting in one death.
Looks like the cops changed their story to make it sound better, and even collected empty shells to put back in their guns, in a (totally clumsy, if you ask me) effort to make it seem they had not been shot.
The unit leader has been given a non-active status.
2024-04-02

Dumb Meters and EVs
Aqualectra is still going on about installing "smart meters" all over the island. But now we read that of the 30 millions of them installed in British homes, 4 million are not working. Which may result in (still!) higher costs for the unlucky home owners.
In more or less related news, car makers lose $6000 on every $50,000 electric car they sell. Why keep on making them, fer cryin' out loud? Maybe to help the tire manufacturers out: seems some drivers have to buy new tires every 10,000 kms. Because the extra weight and fast accelerating results in extreme wear and tear.
Why start buying them, then?
2024-04-02

Of Course Not!
Our esteemed government, consisting of fornicating bleeders, has decided there won't be personnel consequences because of this. In other words, the Tax Bosses, and their enthusiastically supporting gang of crooked thugs, may go on as-is.
Which, as Antilliaans Dagblad remarks raises questions about the goverment plans to reform the tax system. Fairy Tales by Mother Pias; but we knew that already. Since long. Let us all slip down the slope to join Haïti!
2024-04-01

That's Criminally Naïve
MAN thinks it's unacceptable that the government has decided not to take steps against the thoroughly rotten corruption of Tax Bosses Alfonso Trona and Jamilia Isenia, while minister Sylvania (AKA around here as Silly Vain Bully) since May 2023 has refused to explain in parliament about his decision to grant 3 million oops billion guilders' worth of tax exemption.
Hey MAN, we're in Curaçao here! Get it? As if you guys didn't know damn well.
2024-04-01

Enjoy!
No newspapers, no stupid clowns' acts. Except those pulled in secret. Till Tuesday?
2024-03-30

That's Great
PM, ministers and all 9 M*F*K MPs have been tested for cocaine and marihuana; results negative.
What we're not told is how long in advance they were warned about the coming tests.
Culture and education minister van Heydoorn had himself tested while in Colombia; Plenipot minister in Holland, Manuel, will be tested there.
2024-03-30

Tough, Braam
The Dutch court of appeals has decided that Braam may not fill a minister's seat after all, contrary to the Curaçao high court judgment. Braam was not actually convicted of the crime of raping a patient, but now the court has decided he was guilty, anyway.
That is, if my limited brains got it right. The media I read don't say it that clearly.
2024-03-29

"Took a While"
That's Amigoe's comment on the, finally, signed agreement which will enable parking meters to be installed again. An understatement if I ever saw one; took years... Wisely, the exploiters refused to order equipment before they had an agreement. Once the things work, you can pay with your plastic by means of a downloadable Curaçao Flowbird app. Which at least is a great improvement.
2024-03-29

Crooks, All
Many, at least. No, this time it's not about the Big Leaders: between January 17 and March 18th Aqualectra utility shut off 14 businesses and 156 residences for illegal use of water and/or electricity.
Means, stealing it.
Maximum fine is 20,000 guilders. Plus repair costs of damaged pipes/conduits, payment of what has been stolen (plus previous debts), and possible prosecution.
2024-03-29

No Such Luck
Bonaire hospital Mariadal requested Bolo Mudbelly to allow Colombia Sarpa to execute inter-island flights for patient transports. They even went to court. But no.
Seems that Sarpa soon started to execute flights which were not according to the book. Ans after all, Bonaire company ZAir is not allowed to fly between two Colombia locations, either.
2024-03-29

Good Riddance
Jesus-Leito is leaving PAR party and taking her parliament seat with her. What's the difference, anyway? She and the party couldn't agree on PAR's repositioning process during the coming elections. Whatever that means—could be plenty of things, most of little or no interest.
But party leader Girigorie may remain on. Or maybe not. They'll fight it out coming weekend.
2024-03-29

How About Them?
PNP MP Osepa wants to know, how about those 5 new buses for school kids' transport, for which 2 million was budgeted end 2023? Have they even been bought? When will they arrive and be put in service?
At least they won't be EV buses, as then they would be at least twice the price.
2024-03-282024-03-29

Alternative
The policy for importing medical supplies will be adapted. It will become easier to import "alternative" medications. If this means more generic products, it may be all to the good and will bring down costs (as long as there remains quality control).
If it means "alternative" in the sense of quackery products, please spare us. Don't laugh; it's a real danger. Remember auntie Sushi and Quackie Constancia...
2024-03-28

Not So
PM Prick Pias paid a visit to Tax Collector head Trona; rumors have it to try and get him to take his leave himself. Wouldn't help much, would it? the entire team should be fired, as far as I'm concerned. But I may be prejudiced, haha.
Other rumors say, but don't mind them, tee hee, that finance minister Silly Bully is out to have Trona's head and replace him with non PNP-party members. Silly Bully wanted to install a management team for the tax dept, but PNP intervened.
With the added remark that Silly Bully himself once worked as a Tax Person but was "eliminated." (He's still alive, though.)
Maybe some PNP members made a deal themselves? It's a thought; and not only they.
2024-03-28

Maybe
MP Mercelina went for a drug test, which turned out negative. He said he never used drugs.
I don't have an idea how long ago he was alleged to have used them, and how long residues remain in your body after use.
2024-03-28

Wilkommen
Still hungry for more tourists, CTB is now trying to attract more Krauts sorry, Germans.
2024-03-28

Oh, Great
Next week, Mogas car gasolene goes up with 10 cents/liter, and diesel goes down. Electricity goes down as well, and so does water.
All because of lower international market prices. So don't ask.
2024-03-28

Shocking!
In fact, sickening. The state of affairs within the Tax Collector's offices. "A shambles and absolute arbitrariness" it's called by Antilliaans Dagblad. The head of the, to judge from the Soab government accounting bureau report, totally corrupt department says he has the liberty to "deviate from the current recovery guidelines" which seems to be right, if the reasons for deviation are registered in the collection file. Which they are not. Almost not at all.
Favoring certain taxpayers with preferred treatment goes on for year after year, which is called "not incidental".
Alas, as so often, WE knew it all the time. What makes it even worse to digest that the normal tax payers are threatened with fines and seizures, while the big villains go off scott-free.
An expediter with a 4.5 million debt got a settlement for 5000/month, which would result in 900 months or 72 years of payments.
A caterer with a 1 million debt got a settlement for 2,500/month; which he didn't honor. So he got a new settlement—for 2,500/month.
You'll never convince us that money didn't pass under the table in cases like that.
2024-03-27

Holland Approves We Will Pay
Nice huh? The Dutch agree that the plan to "save" Ennia's pension is fine, so we can go ahead. For the sum of 30 million/year during the next umpteen years. Which you and I will pay, but you got that already. Even though Cft financial supervision disagrees.
But who cares what Cft says? In fact, it looks like "nobody".
2024-03-27

Condition
Aquatel, Aqualectra's new telecommunication endeavor, has gotten the go-ahead from a government bureau. Start expected half 2025. On one condition: it shouldn't cause the electricity/water tariffs to go up.
Devoutly to be wished. Even if you don't plan to use Aquatel (like me) you may still end up paying for it.
2024-03-27

Endemic
Much ado in parliament about "alleged" drug use of a delegation to Colombia. Must be rumors. Can only be lies. But the fact that the person pointed at, PNP MP Mercelina, used to have a "rasta hairdo" does make you think a bit.
Mercelina is considering what steps to take against these accusations. Which I'd like to see.
I know that parliament is supposed to be spelled with a capital "p" but my keyboard just refuses to. I think I'll hang on to it.
2024-03-27

You Think?
PAR MP Girigorie objects in parliament that "we shouldn't invent new rules to enable MPs to go on foreign trips." Reason, PNP member Djaoen-Genero, parliament head, has been appointed as delegation leader of a trip to Colombia. Which has never happened before.
Girigorie also wants MPs to keep to their promises when on a trip. That would create a precedent indeed.
2024-03-27

Tough: Bad Luck
Aqualectra can't be held responsible for falling cables damaging your car. In a court case, the owner had to pay the over 700 guilders repair costs herself. Plus process costs, including those made by Aqualectra.
Happily, she's still alive.
2024-03-27

Welcome to Curaçao
There has been a law pending to decrease violence in schools, which problem is raising its ugly head more and more; but that's still pending. Good huh? We all understand that our Leaders have more important things to do.
Like making money.
2024-03-27

Good for Mariano
The main suspect cop in the theft of 600 keys of drugs from the police station Rio Canario. The appeals court judged that there was insufficient proof of his guilt. The witnesses were not considered reliable.
Good point. Doesn't prevent us to have our own ideas.
2024-03-27

Another Triumph!
In the struggle of tourism versus Our Own People. Near Jan Thiel, a center of the tourist pest, a hill has been denuded despite protests from the people living there and two objections lodged for the activities being at variance with EOP island development plan.
Only marks on paper.
It's the APC pension fund (for spoiled brats, the terrain owner), Bolo Mudbelly and his ministry's secretary-general Puriel who never bothered to react to those. Not a single permit has been given.
Tourism always wins. There's money in them there denuding of hills. For whom? No comment.
What a laugh, depending on your sense of humor: the developer assures us that "some special trees have been spared" and "others [mangroves] 'may' be used again later." 2024-03-27

Will It Help?
Not much, is our guess. Australian Communications and Media Authority (Acma) is worried about the online gambling possibilities extended from Curaçao to Australians. Acma has discussed the problem with our finance minister Silly Bully. Who must have assured them that the new LOK gambling enabling law will put a stop to all that.
HAH!
2024-03-27

It's a Thought
Surely. MP Doran wonders about food safety in the "hospitality" sector. It doesn't look and feel safe, right.
Welcome, dear tourist!
2024-03-27

Good?
The Netherlands, in their great wisdom, have decided the Ennia "solution" is sufficiently solid and sustainable. But you don't have to agree; that's your problem. Also paying for that solution for the following umpteen years is your problem. Ours.
That means as well that the Covid loan may be extended or renewed, whatever, at a low interest. How low we're not told yet. CBCS central bank figures 3.6% would be, again, sustainable. Our national debt is now 64.7% of the GDP. Which if it was my personal debt would worry me extremely. But CBCS seems to think it's A-OK.
2024-03-23

Less Is More
Aruba, where the last government had licensed the building of 7000 new hotel rooms, has already been able to reduce that to 2000. Which many Arubianos will welcome.
We're still going full steam ahead, with the risk of a boiler explosion. Mind the safety valve!
2024-03-22

Gaah!
Police traffic control stops resulted in 44 fines. 23 for driving too fast (and you should see the sorry state of the lane separations there, on Nijlweg!) and 25 (which totals 48) for the as usual: no license, no vehicle test, no insurance, no tax, dark windshield. What, no phones?
Total of fines over 3000 guilders' worth. Would that cover the cops' salaries plus cars, whatever? Afraid not, but that's not the point.
2024-03-22

Oho
Dutch maritime magazine Schuttevaer writes on the drug case now in Curaçao court. International drug cartels more and more are using Curaçao harbor as starting point for large-scale transports. And only now we're made aware of the fact that Kustwacht coast guard hasn't been operating for a year, so go-fast boats are free to deliver their cargo on our coast. The Dutch want to send a new patrol boat over; in April or May.
So much for the bragging of Koninklijke Marine Royal Dutch Navy about how much they've intercepted. Not to mention those fishing boats that make much more money by carrying coke than by catching fish.
2024-03-22

No Need to Tell Us
ARC court of audit still does: road maintenance is deplorable (not their words), with some parts in good condition (as long as it lasts) but especially neighborhood roads "poor to mediocre". "Problem lies in the lack of transparency and verifiability in maintenance activities" to quote Curaçao Chronicle.That would be Bolo Mudbelly's department. Well, blow me down with a toothpick. Even the quality of the roads has not been inspected during the last years.
2024-03-22

Good Luck, Hans!
Hans van de Velde has become the new manager of Winair. He wants to lift the operational standards to a higher level, with a strong emphasis on punctuality and the reliability of the service.
That punctuality is a sore point; was so for ALM Antillean Airlines and all its disastrous follow-ups; it's endemic—not only here but through the Caribbean region. And much of Latin America.
2024-03-21

First, Ask the Pros
Finance minister Silly Vain Bully, in his double act as minister of health, considers importing generic medicine. Which is a good idea; we pay through our nose for expensive brands. However, he wants to import them from India, which may not be so smart. There have been several scandals recently with faulty Indian medical products. Better have them checked by experts upon coming in.
As long as they're not Ayurvedic, you say? That would be even worse, so far you're right.
2024-03-21

Really?!
By September, it's predicted at least, the downtown parking meters will be operating again after several years of just sitting there. We read that some suckers tried to pay anyway. It took time... This is Curaçao...
2024-03-21

So Do We All
On the coming 3 to 5 years, Aqualectra needs 750 million guilders to invest in water and electricity. It should result in better service to the consumers and to comply with conclusions and recommendations of Belgian Laborelec/Engie, that investigated the utility.
One of the reasons is coming investments in "sustainable energy". Aqualectra is looking for the money.
2024-03-21

Lawlessness Is the Law
Eight enterprises were visited by the police, MEO economic development and Immigration, and only two turned out to have the necessary permits. Seven out of nine persons were illegal oops undocumented were arrested as well,
2024-03-21

Not Here
But in Holland. Where work is being done to tighten up the law on online gambling. Here, not so much. Al contrali.
2024-03-21

Not So Hot
But music to my ears: "Icy blast of bankruptcy looms for Swedish windpower section is the headline. "The total loss for the years 2017-2022 amounted to 13.5 billion Swedish krona [€1.2 billion], which meant a loss margin of 39 per cent." Uh oh. One more quote and then I'll shut up, don't have to add to that: "the sector as a whole has not made a profit in any year since 2017.
Company losses have ranged from 19 per cent to 90 per cent of turnover between 2017 and 2022..
'The losses are simply because the industry cannot produce electricity at a cost below the market price, despite extensive subsidies,' economists noted." No problem here with our market prices, of course.
2024-03-19

Faster, Better? and More Expensive
FLOW telecommunications announces they will raise the tariffs with 4.5%, second time in one year. Only landline calls will not go up, and internet speed will be improved. A condition devoutly to be wished. 2G technology will be replaced by 3G and 4G. No mention of 5G.
FLOW also wonders what's going on with Aquatel, a new competitor to be started by Aqualectra utility.
2024-03-19

Dreamer...
M*F*K PM Prick Pias wants the tourists and the fisher persons both to be happy. He even paid a visit to Playa Piskadó to check the situation.
The good [?] man has no idea, but we're used to that. Alas.
2024-03-19

As Long As We're At It
Staten wants broader environment regulations in the new law. Sea and earth factors should be included as well. PAR MP Pauletta utters that the law should not be about the refinery, which it threatens to be: rather, the refinery should fall under it. And she also worries, as she well might, that maintaining controls will be the biggest problem.
CAE complains that there is not a word about CO₂ "pollution" in the law.
2024-03-19

Took a While...
But now, finally, in Holland as well medical doctors are concerned about the effects of noise pollution by wind generators. I have been worrying here about this for a while, myself. One example is the Groningen village Meede where generators have been installed at less than a kilometer from residential areas. Here, in Tera Corá, it's much less: starting at 560 meters.
Here? Not a peep has been heard.
2024-03-19

That's Better?
The Dutch will pay for the electric buses we've been promised to get, for what we can only guess are exorbitant prices. At least, the Curaçao government has asked Holland to do so, out of the SDE++ fund (don't ask me what that stands for). The National Growth Fund has in the past declined, thank you.
2024-03-19

Traffic Threshold
Most tresholds have gone long since (in many cases demolished by people living around there), but often the warning signs are still there. Our DOW pubic works is really on its toes!
2024-03-18

Coining a Coin
The new Curaçao and St. Maarten guilder will be introduced on March 31, 2025: the ANG will then become CTX. June 30 2025 is the last day you can use it for payments; the last chance to exchange ANGs for CTXs is March 31, 2026. 1 ANG = 1 CTX; 1 CTX = 1.79 USD.
It's more sustainable, CBCS central bank tells us. That's a relief!
2024-03-17

Temporary, Question Mark
Utility Aqualectra asks for bidders to deliver 5 diesel generators which should be in service by July this year. Awaiting the new wind "park" at Playa Kanoa and the new diesel plant—which is the first we hear about that one.
The expected term for these diesel generators to be operational is two years.
2024-03-16

More andMore
Curaçao had over 60,000 stay-over tourists in February, which is 42% more than last year. Plus 125,000 cruise day-trippers. I realize that I'm a grouch for not being enthusiastic, but more and more people start having the same feelings.
2024-03-16

Easy to Follow
Curaçao wants to send two delegates to the Dutch parliament discussions on the Malta tax treaty. Names are unknown as yet.
Betcha they'll be M*F*K members.
2024-03-16

Did You Notice?
Yesterday was International Consumers' Day. This time the theme was "A future with honest and responsible AI for the consumer". You might as well pray; maybe better.
2024-03-16

Eat It
Selikor garbage utility has not been collecting trash in several quarters for several weeks. But directeur Kook assures us that the lag in collection will be over soon./
Can't be too soon.
2024-03-16

That Would Be Remarkable
At least, the only one it's worth it to ask. Aqualectra promises us that in 2025 "the community will see considerable reductions in tariffs for water and electricity." Because of the new wind park at Playa Kanoa. Aqualectra claims that by then, 50% of the 1000mW Curaçao consumption will be delivered by the wind generators; and in 2027 it will be 70%. Presently it's 30%.
Which hasn't helped much, as tariffs till now kept going up. Sorry, color me dark-skeptical.
Another promise is a battery for net stability. Who'll pay for that unaffordable colossus? Yes, I know: you and me.
Finally, Aqualectra promises us we'll have 100% "green" energy in the future.
2024-03-15

Waking Up?
There are more and more complaints about the growth of tourism. Locals have problems to go the beaches, as parts of them often have been reserved for cruise tourists. Even parking has become a problem at several beaches. CTB and Ministry of Tourism will look at the problems. "We will make arrangements on how to minimalize negative effects on beach use."
One possible solution mentioned is, find tourists with more money. That's supposed to improve their quality.
An oft-heard but flawed opinion. For example, rich Chinese and Russkis are much harder to stand than poor Japanese.
2024-03-14

"A Total Shambles"
CMC Martina has had his say in the parliamentary inquiry on the new hospital. Putting it in a nutshell, the best way is to quote his words: "un tutu kompletu." When the time approached that the building must be delivered, all money had been spent and a deal had to arranged with a local bank consortium.
And Donald de Palm opines that "lack of continuity and advise were the problem." There was lack of information from the ministry of Health and that of Finance. Which is not hard to believe; it's chronic, not to say endemic.
2024-03-14

Join Our Club
Dutch MPs are skeptical about the Curaçao-Malta tax treaty. It will enable foreign gambling houses to operate globally, in Holland as well, and may enable transfer of funds to other countries. They don't say it, but I, fearlessly, will: "money laundering".
PVV and VVD are also worried about tax evasion or avoidance, and PVV is concerned about future potential consequences.
We all are. At least, some of us.
Can the Kingdom stop this? We'll have to see.
2024-03-14

Aw, Shut Up
Building of the breakwater for the new yacht harbor has started already, and dredging will start later this year, announces GMFB Caribbean Group on the Zakitó lagoon.
Protest as much as you want, people: Bolo Mudbelly decided so and then it will happen.
2024-03-13

Sushi's Version
Ex-Health minister Auntie Sushi's turn to give evidence in the CMC inquiry. She claims that "nobody ever inherited such a mess as I did" which words we hear on a regular base from politicians all over the world. She states she wanted to proceed Coûte que coûte with the new hospital, as so much had been invested in it already. Which is called "throwing good money after bad") She concludes that there was capital destruction of 4 to 5 million guilders, which is ridiculously less than the 200 million mentioned elsewhere. But I may have misunderstood.
2024-03-13

Fluid Soap
Jan Huurman reacts to the almost implicated threats of Whiteman, leaving not much of Uncle Ben's (oops, is that racist?) allegations intact. Whiteman's memory is not what it used to be, says Huurman. Maybe it never was...
Too bad Huurman forgot in his "7 Points for a Failed State" to mention the InselAir flop and the gambling-mafia enabling LOK law. Which brings the count to 9. One more and it's Down and Out. Plenty more where they came from... Aqualectra, anyone?
2024-03-13

Well, Yeah, Looks that Way
"Curaçao as a transit country is a transshipment point for international drug trafficking" remarks the public ministry in the Crow court case against 9 smuggling suspects. Several working in key positions in CPS Curaçao Port Services. But also mentioned is a "marine" (which I guess means, Royal Dutch Navy, supposed to stop drug transports; among other functions) container containing € 42 millions [street] value worth of coke.
Interesting detail: the sealed shipment goes out with an extra seal, to replace the broken seal after the drugs have been taken out. You have to think of every detail in this business. But it's well worth the trouble.
The case is in court from March 6-15.
Burning remaining question: HOW does all that stuff come in here?
CPS, for all intents and purposes, is a SOE State-Owned Enterprise. Customs people of course are full-time spoiled rats.
2024-03-12

Poor Bastard
M*F*K finance minister Silly Bully takes exception to the last letter he got from the CMC hospital management, which holds that CMC's problems are caused by him and CBV union.
Among other things, CMC reproaches Silvania that he routinely uses "social" media (FakeBooc) for his communications.
2024-03-12

Yes and No
The "living Labs" are at it again. The guys who started the pipe dream of floating colossal hydrogen-producing wind generators. Still in the works: hey, surely some fat crumbs can be picked up during production.
But this is more about our cultural heritage, which is fine with me. All about the catching of rainfall, great, thus preventing erosion (which involves damage to the coral reefs as well.) A pity that even sketchily reading a Curaçao Chronicle article on the conservation and reconstruction of old dams may lead you to think rainwater can be prevented from finally ending up in the sea. It will.
2024-03-12

It's Fiction
A foundation is agitating to try and get the government to forbid public screenings of Dutch feature film Invasie (guess what that means). It's about an imaginary foreign country attacking Curaçao and Aruba, which are finally liberated by three valorous Dutch marines.
Colonialism! Nos mes por. Need I add that the foundation is aiming for a completely autonomous Haïti Curaçao?
No matter that it's fiction; worse, what the foundation wants is to hinder freedom of expression—giving us a nice insight into where they want to go with complete autonomy. Spox Regales says the movie aims to scare the population.
He scares me. Hey, he ought to be forbidden!
2024-03-11

Well Well Well
Both Norway and Sweden are looking at laws to force shops accepting customers' cash payments, not only plastic. If the amount is higher than NOK20,000 (= ANG3465) this may be excepted.
Can't tell you if this goes for payments to the governments there as well.
2024-03-11

Remarkable
New Argentina "anarcho-capitalist" president Milei announced several measures to fight the disastrously failing economy he inherited from former governments. To mention, 9 of 18 ministries have been slashed:
Ministry of Transportation and Public Works (would be our DOW)
Tourism and Sports (CTB, anyone? Plus all that money disappearing in sport subsidies.)
Environment and Sustainable Development (What do they do here? Not stopping Isla, that's for sure.)
Strikes a familiar note. In fact, a chord.
2024-03-11

Contradiction
CAE notes that the government, on the one hand, is trying to get Isla refinery back to work, and on the other hand is spending many millions on projects to stimultae the tourist tade. With many of those catching the Isla smell—and poisons to boot.
2024-03-11

Many-Sided Talent
In a house search at a man's residence, who is suspected of murder, the cops also found two goats with cut-off ears and 188 weed plants plus 39 packs of marihuana, ready for sale.
One of the expressions in Papiamento for adultery is "korta orea", cut ears, but the cops rather suspect these have been cut off to hide the ear-notches owners use to mark their property.
2024-03-11

How He Talks
Ex-Pm Whiteman warned Jan Huurman in some radio program that his "colonial" critical articles that he, Whiteman, knew what had happened exactly and how Huurman had failed; and also, who Huurman was supporting.
Go on talking, both Huurman and Whiteman, we'd all like to hear more about that. Much more.
2024-03-11

Failed State
Jan Huurman writes a long article for KKC where he doesn't use these words, but he might as well have. In fact, better. He mentions, also in Curaçao.nu, 7 illusions that characterize the Curaçao society. Many of those are well known to most of us, especially if you are one of the regular visitors here. Let's sum them up:
The illusion of political integrity — failed projects like the Vomit Comet and the 1000 Cows — the new CMC hospital — absence of proper checks and balances (including the Girobank and Ennia disasters) — the refinery's future — the mishandling of the Covid pandemic. Almost every one of them, not to mention M*F*K's Shorty reign, leaving us with hundreds of millions debt; or much more..
And Huurman finishes by pointing out two courses into the future: the independent Haïti model or back to mother Makambia's skirts.
Too bad Huurman misses the Silly Bully LOK gambling-mafia-enabling law, but it\'s bad enough without that.
I can't agree with him on the reasons why Isla refinery seems hopeless, but the end result is the same.
2024-03-11

Action Announced
CAE Clean Air Everywhere will go to court when the new proposed law on air pollution demands will be voted through by parliament (planned on March 18). The law will transgress the EVRM European Human Rights and also the norms of WHO World Health Organization.
Let us hope it's not necessary. But as long as our Bleaders keep dreaming on about a renewed refinery, it will probably turn out to be a need.
2024-03-10

Two Hobbies
They Bite. The popular media-pushed hobby is, we must go "sustainable". Mine, rowing against the stream, is that's a contradiction in terms. Or Oxymoron if you prefer. Maybe still better, both: Sustainable is unsustainable.
Now it's New York news, where 500 EV buses may have to be taken out of service. Costing ANG800,000 each. (Goodbye, dear 225,000,000 dollars. Which indicates how much we may be paying for them, even though that's a secret. Why? After all, we have plenty more money.) Reasons, the batteries aren't to be trusted; they may catch fire anytime, nobody can predict when, and in cold weather they just don't perform. Etcetera.
Also good, in Sweden 52 EV BYD brand buses are charged with diesel generators. They drink too much for the regular utility net.
These New York batteries as well are made by BYD, a brand of which I have noticed several cars driving around here. Don't park next to them: you may get sorry.
BYD stands for Build Your Dreams, I read. Better say, Burn Your Delusions?
2024-03-09

"Wettig Betaalmiddel"
"Legal tender"— that's what our money is supposed to be. I mean banknotes and coins we get from the CBCS central bank, soon to be replaced.
But the fact of the matter is, you can't use cash money to pay your taxes, drivers' license, passport, sedula ID—in fact, hardly anything to the government. One reason is, because the Spoiled Rats then have less of a chance to steal it. We all know they often do. The other reason heard, that the government is afraid that robbers will steal the cash money, ought to be ridiculous.
Now, a USA woman is suing the government there because she had to use plastic to pay the National Park Service: she couldn't pay cash. Which she alleges is a violation of U.S. law by refusing to accept U.S. currency.
I am really curious how this will work out. Many people here just don't have a bank account, let alone a debit/credit card. Keep tuned!
2024-03-09

Good. Make Them Pay.
Another success for lawyer Roel Bijkerk of LMS Advocaten. Court told two Curaçao companies, Bellona NV and Antillephone NV, to pay €462,114.44 to a Hungarian woman, who had won that amount (plus interest and costs) while gambling.
2024-03-09

Let's Go!
Next year, there will be one tourist room for every four Arubians. That's 148 rooms per square kilometer. Apart from the problems listed by Aruba Birdlife Conservation in a letter to the government, they also mention that it's unknown how many further promises the government has made to condominium and hotel developers.
Is this what we want here as well? Really? CTB seems to... So does our government.
2024-03-09

No Doubt
CFT financial supervision thinks a structural solution is necessary for a CMC-loan. The new hospital has not been able to fulfill its financial obligations, loan repayments, to the government. right.
And we can't help being reminded of the Ennia-deal, which looks like leading to unavoidable future trouble.
2024-03-09

We'd Like to Know, Too
MAN MP McWilliam demands clarification on the ministers' use of credit cards, with a maximum of $25,000 = ANG45,000. She wonders if those credit cards are indeed used following the rules: only good for flights, car hires and hotels. Minister Silly Bully upon introduction claimed the country would save 1.2 million ($s or ANGs?) per year. Which doesn't sound very impressive in the first place. McWilliam wants to know if the target has been reached.
Remember ex-PM Arsjes's CTB credit card use? I guess we all do.
2024-03-08

That Will Help
Or maybe probably surely not. Residents of Zakitó call for urgent action in order to protect the mangroves coral reefs and more generally , nature, against the developments there. Which they have been doing for three years, while those developments go on inexorably.
A special worry is the proposed yacht harbor to be built by GMFB Caribbean Group.
Good luck, my friends. You'll need it as long as Bolo Mudbelly rules the earth.
2024-03-08

Tiens...
What the Frenchies say for "Lookitthat". A line in a KKC article on Stake online casino almost casually mentions that 40% of blacklisted casinos are from Curaçao.
Wonderful. M*F*K really put us on the map.
2024-03-08

Delay
Investigating goat theft in Bandabao is delayed, because criminal groups go on stealing. Maybe you see the logic; I admit I don't.
2024-03-08

More Marks on Paper
Curaçao will ratify the United Nations Convention against Corruption. It's meant to combate corruption in all its forms. If they're not kidding, the ministers have their work cut out for them.
2024-03-08

Whatever
"35 second-year students from the Faculty of Social and Economic Studies at the University of Curaçao" paid a visit to Waterfort Plaza to study the "sustainable aspects" of redevelopment, Curaçao Chronicle reports.
Don't know about you, but in my brain this news only raises more questions.
2024-03-08

Too Little
Our always-hungry finance minister Silly Bully thinks the Curoil dividend of 10% is too little. In principle, even. In the past the government could count on 50% of net profits; and now Curoil even requests not to pay out any dividend at all over 2019-2022.
Because of the usual list of problems: Covid, loan refinancing, current account facilities with a local bank (does that cost money? for me, only when I'm in the red) and the Ukraine war; for which larger money buffers are needed.
Finally, Curoil remarks they're obliged to charge the consumer what the government tells them to, and not more.
2024-03-07

That's All Good and Well...
... but how? CBCS central bank is supposed to pay ANG30m/per year to the Ennia pension fund. Each year for the next 50 years.
But Antilliaans Dagblad informs us that from 2013-2019 the total CBCS profits were 70.1m (or 64.8m, it's not very clear), max. average 10 million/year. From 2019 to 2022 it was zero or less.
So we might better be prepared to pay for it; by way of higher taxes, of course.
2024-03-07

Forget It?
Ex-health inspector Jan Huurman does it again: calling himself a meddler, he thinks Holland should take over the exploitation of CMC new hospital. Like (probably) you and (in any case) me, he sees the parliamentary inquiry turning into a Kabuki performance that will lead nowhere: "A parade of illusions." And, good point, future projects may or will be mishandled in the same manner.
Interesting detail: location change from Amstel-terrain to Otrabanda did not cost, as reported, 25 million, but over 80% of additional building costs.
I still fail to see why Dutch tax payers should have to pay up. Al contrali, that would mean just one more extra impulse to continue business as usual—exactly what he warns for. To quote a Dutch saying: Wie zijn billen brandt moet op de blaren zitten [Who burns his buttocks must sit on the blisters].
2024-03-06

Chutzpah
Diving school Samí is accused by people living there of having occupied public restrooms and turned them into a storage room. Just like that. They ask minister Silly Bully if he knows about it and what he plans to do about it, when.
Best guess is, not today.
2024-03-06

Forget It, Too
AOV welfare pensions (which everybody pays for in a Ponzi scheme) will not be raised, says anti-social minister Larmonie. Still worse, she says AOV-law does not allow indexing. PAR wants them to go up, even (!) if you have other sources of income.
2024-03-06

Cultural Prerogative
Once again, illegal power and water taps have been discovered. This time also at houses still in the building phase. Fines have gone up since a period of grace, to ANG5200 or (how much?) higher. Repeaters get much (how much?) heavier fines and will be reported with OM public ministry.
2024-03-06

You'll Never Guess
Maybe you will. C***-Post wants to become more "sustainable"— by buying electric vehicles for services. Does this mean goodbye to community mail boxes? I hope so, but don't count on it. Come right down to it, delivery door-to-door is much more efficient than all those individual trips by customers to the community mail box. Specially if it is empty.
2024-03-05

What He Does Best
Lying.
Professor Pinedo told Antilliaans Dagblad that there were several "inaccuracies" in ex-PM Shorty's statement to the parliamentary enquete. For one, Shorty claimed that Usona planned a 450 beds hospital, which he alleged was much too large for Curaçao. But Usona, or FHN or HNC (whatever) planned only 340 beds, also on Dutch TNO's advice.
To put it less politely, those were not inaccuracies but rather deceptions.
Shorty had taken the oath before lying his head off to defend his actions. It's commonly called "perjury".
2024-03-04

More and More...
Now Ben Whiteman, who was PM during an important part of the HNO-affair, has given his witness report. He said he didn't trust the whole business, but it doesn't become clear in what manner (nor what he did about it). We're all beginning to suspect that it will never become clear; that whole parliamentary enquete is starting to look like a farce.
But what Whiteman has to say about Steenhorst of Berenschot is most disquieting. "The whole hospital saga begins at Aqualectra and ends there as well." Aqualectra was also involved in the Amstel terrain choice.
A guy Troeman refused to give any information on his contract and a Berenschot report and told the enquete-committee that a phone call to the MP "would solve everything." Really! Only after the committee threatened him with the OM public ministry he came across with the two documents.
I can tell you nothing about the other witnesses, ex-PM Daniel Hodge, ex-PM Arsjes, Geraldine Cristina, ex-secretary general of GMN (ministry of health) and ex-GMN minister Zita Jesus-Leito.
2024-03-02

Who Is that Guy
Steenhorst: A consultant of Aqualectra, where all the consultants habitually made up reports which guaranteed they would get more consulting jobs.
But this item is more about minister Cijntje, wo has made a mess of his role as large shareholder of Aqualectra and his relation with the Board of Directors. He complained that the Board didn't do as he told them to (troublemakers!). It's endemic in this cabinet. Ciijntje also didn't bother about Aqualectra's yearly accounts—which didn't really exist anyway since 2019.
The article in Curaçao nu suggests that Cijntje still refuses to accept his responsibility for the Aqualectra debacle, while ex-director Jonis does. In my opinion, Jonis does not, not really, and he will go on in the same vein.
And so will Cijntje and the rest of the power-loving bullies.
2024-03-02

To Whom?
Staten/parliament wants to ask CBCS central bank to find a party to sell Ennia to "in a responsible manner". Easier said than done. I wouldn't touch the outfit with a 10-ft. pole.
Also, CBCS must improve. That's something we can all agree with.
2024-03-02

HNO Soap, Cont'd
Ex-interim PM Betrian declared that he was a proponent of the new hospital's location on the planned Amstel terrain. Betrian admits it was all done without public tender, which he says didn't matter because the building had been finished after all. (BAU: Business As Usual, for Curaçao government affairs; or even better—it got finished for a change .) But ex-minister Jardim thought the Otrabanda location would be advantageous, because the Amstel terrain was subject to floods. (Not that Amstel brewery was ever flooded in all its years.)
Ex USONA member Troeman said he'd warned that the project was on a disaster course, because no obvious course was indicated. Sounds weird to my ears.
Witness Berenschot finally declared that "hefty amounts" were transferred from USONA to Berenschot, even though he would have preferred no more involvement, but he had no clear idea what then happened to all that money. You may be excused for thinking different. He got money but doesn't know what happened to it after he received it?
2024-03-01

Did He?
PNP MP Osepa wonders if finance minister Silly Bully violated his duty of confidence by publishing Curoil's tax debt on his Fakebooc page. Every citizen must be sure that protective measures are maintained. (I guess many are not so convinced, already.)
And then Osepa adds that he finds Curoil's debt worrying. But is it a debt?
2024-03-01

Everybody Agrees
That's pretty rare. But it is so: the main factor in the exorbitant building costs of CMC new hospital was moving the location to the present one in Otrabanda. Which Usona building foundation had warned the government for. Thus said Usona's Doran.
Quickie Jacinta, next witness, went so far as to suggest that the government parties from 2013 used the affair to pay back their election campaigns. How that's supposed to have worked is not clear; at least not to me. Without naming names "for safety reasons" she blamed the governments between 2013-2017 for the fact that nothing happened in those years.
That would be PS™-PIAS; but note that Quackie is a member of the M*F*K party, which with Ex-PM Shorty fell in 2012. To bend over backwards for her sake, it's true enough nothing at all happened, strong-government-wise, in that period.
2024-02-29

Just Personal
If you want my personal view, it is that Bob Pinedo may be a great oncologist and professor, but he's been incredibly naïve in his choice of committee members. Admittedly, Jaime Saleh hadn't been exposed in his true false colors yet, but IJs and auntie Sushi?
I'm still curious who Shorty wanted to replace those two with. Must have been pretty much the bottom of the barrel.
2024-02-29

Music! For How Long?
ABC Aruba Birdlife Conversation has started an action "No More Hotels". Enough is too much, they figure. It's accompanied by a letter from a tourist who, 2 days after arrival, decided to cancel their booking and move to Curaçao. "Aruba is too full, has too many tourists and is too commercial" she writes. Nice huh?
Too bad our CTB is doing everything in its power, and more, to follow Aruba's example down that road.
2024-02-29

The HNO Enquete
First to give his opinion to parliament was professor Bob Pinedo, who was requested by the PM de Jongh-Elhage to lead the team that should give us a new hospital, now CMC.He was "embittered", and gives as one reason that M*F*K's ex-PM Shorty wanted him to exchange two members of his team for two (unnamed) persons. Too bad the members he mentions were that same Auntie Sushi and Etienne IJs, one of the infamous "wise men". Even worse, we're not told who the replacements, even worse, would have been.
Another member of Pinedo's group was Jaime Saleh. Maybe Pinedo himself, with all his good intentions, was victimized by bad hungry-for-money collaborators.
All together, with insufficient control by the then minister of finance, it led to an incredible surge in costs.
Next day Shorty himself Told His Tale, as the word is in con-artist circles. The main impression we get from the media is that he often "couldn't exactly remember" what had been going on 14 years ago. Like, he could not remember about wanting to replace Auntie and IJs. Shorty also blames Pinedo's foundation for wanting a 450-beds hospital, while the cabinet thought 300 beds would suffice. Finally, the move to Otrabanda caused enormous extra costs. Which was largely motivated by Shorty's own government; even if he had been removed as MP by the time the actual decision was taken.
Next another (not yet ex-)con, Quackie Constancia.
2024-02-28

That's Telling Him
Foundation Betèsda was, as is his wont, blamed in the social media by finance minister Silly Bully, where he quite in character asks for a written account by March 8 about the over 2 million subsidy Betèsda received. Or he wants "his" money back.
He got the account the very same day. So there.
2024-02-28

More Gambling Suckers
Maybe the wrong word: "addicts" would be a better fit. Anyway, 5 of them have gone to court against gambling company Stake, a so-called cryptocasino.
When several of them complained with Stake, the gambling house had the chutzpah to offer them a bonus so they could gamble some more.
Lawyer for the gamblers is the by now logical choice Roel Bijkerk.
2024-02-28

Good to Know
What a relief. M*F*K is NOT against transparency and control. They (= Ramón Yung) say.
So we all had it wrong.
It's because of the CPR-Isla refinery transactions.
2024-02-27

Hotting Up
Possibly. Maybe. Dutch parliament is discussing the Curaçao-Malta tax treaty. They don't like it one bit, also because of justice minister Bully Silly's LOK mafia-gambling enabling law. No date yet.
What the Dutch can do about it? Good question.
2024-02-27

Is This Public?
Because I'm sure many of us would like to read it. Former PM Arsjes (he of the credit card) has written a, what's the word? "story" I guess, on what happened during the planning and building of the CMC hospital.
Probably inspired by the parliamentary enquete that started today. Whitewashing his meddling? It's a thought but we have to wait until somebody has seen it. "I have always acted in honor and conscience" he says. Not everybody would agree. Of course, definitions may differ per individual.
ARC court of audit member Gerling has already declared to parliament that "during the entire project the budget right has been violated." Many problems could have been prevented if the government had held a closer supervision.
What say, Arsjes?
Parliament is still deliberating on filing possible criminal complaints.
2024-02-27

Empty Gas Bubble
Aruba announced last week three enormous gas deposits had been found. But AVP MP spoils it all by telling us that this is no news, the same info was available from at least 2017: there is no gas. Not even hot air.
That's when AVP had power and wasted quite some money to have the gas possibilities investigated.
2024-02-26

Yawn
In a prison check drugs, cellphones and even a gun with ammunition have been found.
Prison authorities say more measures are needed to avoid smuggling the stuff in.
2024-02-26

That We Can Believe
Finance minister Silly Bully denies that his new LOK gambling facilitating law has been designed without any influence from interested parties. Which, even if the mafia trusts complain they haven't been granted enough, sure looks like the Truth.
2024-02-25

Izzatso
Amigoe lets us know that the number of persons working for the government has gone down; it's now 3912. Alas, we're not told how much it went down, from how many.
2024-02-25

Good Questions
Why has the OM public ministry not started investigating the Girobank debacle? And when? After all, CBCS central bank had filed a complaint in 2015. Also, has minister Hato received the CBCS report on illegal acts between 2010 and 2019? Finally, can we have guarantees that everybody who commits illegal acts will be prosecuted, to avoid class justice?
Surprisingly, the questions come from M*F*K Yung. Would this mean M*F*K changes its tune? Don't count on it; after all, the questions are about 2015 when PS™ and PIAS (remember those clowns?), not M*F*K, ruled.
2024-02-25

Better Believe It?
And sweet dreams. PM Pias says there are no (more) Isla relations with CPR Curaçao Petroleum Refinery (they of the fraudulent documents).
2024-02-25

Hotting Up
The complaints filed by Yves Cooper (no relation) against several people-in-power, via "his" foundation Dos bui pa Kòrsow [2 shackles for Cur.] is based on justice minister Stanley Betrian's 2012 integrity law. Betrian now says that "it looks like there's no control on compliance." Ya betcha.
Except PM Prick Pias and justice minister Hato, Cooper's complaint may further involve ministers Cijntje and Bully Sylvania.
And then some, we guess. It's up to OM public ministry to decide on criminal prosecutions.
2024-02-24

Time to Celebrate?
Gasoline will go up to over 2.15/liter; diesel to 1.90; electricity to 0.65/kW. But wait! Water will go down from 9.16 to 8.82/cu.m. So we can drink more wiskie-awa and still save money.
2024-02-24

That I Want to See
VVRP Urban Planning will extend its oversight on public transportation. Named are illegal taxi services, buses deviating from their routes and transporting passengers without permits. (Or insurance, follows logically.)
Davelaar, a cohort of Cooper, is mainly aiming for preventive control. That would be a unique approach.
2024-02-24

Worthless
The SOEs or, in Dutch, Overheids nv's have atotal value of 852 million guilders, says Antilliaans Dagblad. Largest is Aqualectra utility, which supposedly is worth 411 million.
In fact, many feel it's worth than worthless.
2024-02-24

Figures
A parliament motion to investigate the bidding process for the Isla refinery take-over was rejected. 11 against, 8 for. Which indicates, says MAN opposition party, that M*F*K is not interested in clearing this up.
What is a surprise is that CPR, they of the fraudulent documents, is still a partner in the negotiations.
2024-02-24

Sic Em!
The parliamentary inquiry into construction of CMC hospital found strong indications of "possible" criminal offences. Which have been passed on to the public prosecutor.
What we all suspected may become confirmed. There may be justice, after all.
2024-02-23

Small Wonder
Can he even read at all?
M*F*K PM Prick Pias, in replying to questions by PAR Croes, has indicated he never read the documents delivered by NFI Dutch Forensic Institute on CPR Curaçao Petroleum Refinery. Croes asked for a response in June 2023. It's about the fraudulent documents CPR handed in.
Says Pias: "We all make mistakes, former governments included." Truer words were never spoken—for a change.
2024-02-23

No Joke
Six MPs will go to Amsterdam for the Intertraffic conference; from 13 to 21 April. This has been a regular visit in the past years; how many I couldn't tell you.
Now if that would have any influence on the sorry state of our roads, it wouldn't be such a farce.
2024-02-23

Pirate's Nest
It's our culture. $18 million worth of bribes to Latin American officials have been processed through Curaçao. A "Dutch national" (which we all are) Hanst made the money pour by way of world's largest oil and gas trader, Vitol. But hey, let's face it, how else can you do business in thoroughly corrupt Latin America?
Hanst has earlier been accused of facilitating the online gambling mafia. After all, he's in the trust business.
2024-02-22

Better Laugh
Instead of crying. Another illegal building project was stopped, this time in Duzu. Foundation and walls were built already, and the concrete roof was being poured. The work was stopped instantly and tools and materials were confiscated.
Ten more illegal projects were discovered as well. All in a conservation zone.
One person got a 2500 guilder fine. Which makes you pour copious tears—a mere bagatelle. Won't help one bit. Now, if only they had confiscated that concrete truck too...
2024-02-22

More Secrets
The education reform plans of minister Heydoorn may cost 260 million, but what they involve remains (almost) anybody's guess. And the funding sources as well.
That's transparency, folks!
2024-02-22

That's What They Say
Trust offices and stakeholders were barely involved in drafting the new LOK law, we're told now. I seem to remember that they were highly involved; at least, that's what we have been told before.
"Especially the smaller offices" were only later invited to talks. Hmm.
2024-02-22

He Can't Take It
Ramon Chong may appeal the judge's decision that he can't become a minister. Better change the Landsregeling, what passes for our constitution, first, Chong.
2024-02-21

Not Cooperative
The €U has published a blacklist of 12 countries who are "not cooperative" in fiscal matters. Curaçao is on the grey list; Aruba has been removed.
2024-02-21

Medical Case
That flipped TUI passenger has been moved to a hospital after he had an "unexpected physiological reaction (convulsion)". The Azores police thinks he may have had something in his digestive tract that caused the problems.
Or in his head, possibly.
2024-02-21

Idea!?
Hawai'i seems to be considering a tourist charge of $25/person. Because of climate change, get it? Any reason to shake them down is fine with me. The "cost is a small amount given how much damage visitors cause on Hawaii's fragile ecosystem." Even if it won't help, it will still pay Hawai'i $68m/year, which is no cat dung.
But would it stop even one tourist from coming over? No matter, as long as they pay.
If present trends continue, 12*[Jan]61,000*$25=$18m/year for us. Sorry, I mean for the government.
So Hawai'i gets 3.8 times as many tourists a year than we do? One Happy Island! Or in fact more than eight of 'em. Makes me think a bit.
2024-02-21

Keep Him Out
Ramon Chong, he of the hot air hydrogen generators, once again wants to become a minister. He tried before. An ambitious man, for sure: he even went to court to have the rule scratched that people with a criminal record may not become ministers. But so says the law, said the judge and threw his case out.
2024-02-20

Who Cares
They don't! Meant are the ministers who get police officers for their security, and the police corps itself. There are rules which all parties transgress to their hearts' content.
Which might help explain the overtime problems.
2024-02-20

It's a Secret
CRU refinery utilities does not want to tell us who's the buyer of all that Bullenbaai oil.
Why not? Something fishy there, CRU leaves us to suspect.
2024-02-20

There's That
MAN realizes that replacing plastic by cardboard or bamboo is no real solution: just like plastic that stuff will be discarded on the streets as well. Educating the people is a must. Good luck!
That may sound sarcastic, but it's meant seriously.
2024-02-20

Ominous
Education minister van Heydoorn has presented his education improvement program MdE in parliament. He complains that the last innovations in education stem from 2002 and 2004. MdE should take care all children get the same chance; the difference in school quality must be eradicated. (Sounds like a pipe dream to me.) Thanks to MdE by pressing one button all information on schools, teachers and pupils should be accessible at once.
To bad that his demonstration failed because of technical problems.
Not one word about the language problem.
2024-02-20

Oh, Great! We're saved
The list of forbidden plastic products, now limited to foam containers and plastic bags (with handles), will be extended. (And I thinking there was none yet.) Added will be plastic toothpicks, stirring sticks, all kinds of foam trays, dishes and cups and also plastic drinking straws.
Don't know about you, but to me the heaps of plastic toothpicks polluting our environment are an absolute disgrace indeed.
2024-02-19

So Much for Them
Antilliaans Dagblad has an editorial sweeping the floor with the management capacities of the carnival organizers. Year upon year we get their promises that the Gran Marcha procession, consisting of 4000 dancers and uncountable trailers, will finish a 7km long course in less than 6 hours. And year upon year it doesn't work out. Small wonder, maybe. Which undermines trust and credibility in the organizers.
That's AD's word, uncountable. Methinks they can be, and are, counted very well.
2024-02-19

Bragger
That guy running amok on a TUI flight AMS-CUR is not a member of the No Limits Soldiers criminal gang at all. Also, he was born here all right, but lives in Amsterdam.
So he's in fact one of those bastards oppressing us. Join the club! he must have thought.
2024-02-19

Oh, So
What a trick. Police officers call in sick, and then work on rest days where they get overtime wages. There now is a rule that when they've been sick, they may not work overtime hours for 30 days. But the word is this is not enforced very seriously.
Surprisingly, justice minister Hato claims that the overtime-total has not exceeded the budget, whatever ARC may say.
2024-02-19

Over Time
ARC court of audit is worried about the overtime of the police corps. Which is promoted by, among others, a shortage of personnel and payment of higher overtime tariffs than laid down by law. Some receive over 9000 guilders/month extra, while the maximum is 1000. Governmental overtime is caused for 80% by the ministry of justice, largely meaning the police. Mentioned as well is protection of ministers (I'm sure they need it) without any allowance in the budget.
2024-02-18

Sssst... Don't Tell Them
Elizabeth Warren, the woman who calls herself an American Native but nobody else is sure, is of the opinion that filling out your tax forms is too hard for the average citizen. So, apart from paying tax, many have to pay an accountant as well. Now she has an idea to correct that:
Have the Tax Person decide how much money you made and thus, how much tax you must pay!
Not so brilliant, that. It's bad enough now and it will only make arbitrariness worse.
Admittedly, the new digital way of submitting our tax returns is a great improvement.
2024-02-17

In Character
Bully minister Silly Vain was reprimanded by court, because he (or his ministry, same difference) had retracted or refused a settlement exemption for a midwife who wished to start a Curaçao practice. Bully claimed his refusal was based on a policy change from 2017, but no such change can be found. Meanwhile, Bully did grant exemptions to other persons.
Looks like arbitrariness has become the norm. Since when, I dare not say. Before my time?
2024-02-17

Worse and Worse
That Bullenbaai oil? Suddenly and unknown to CRU refining utilities, a tanker moored in Bullenbaai to load that fuel oil for which the auction was suddenly canceled (now we know why), and after 6 days moved on to the US Virgin Islands with 450,000 barrels aboard. Seems the amount of 8 million was surreptitiously paid.
The transfer to the ship took much longer than planned as the Bullenbaai installations turn out to be in "unsatisfactory" (to pick the weakest of synonyms I could find) state. Sounds promising for those Great Plans.
2024-02-16

Whew
Backstabbing minister Silvania included an article in the new LOK gambling enabling law that players are not allowed to transfer their claims to other parties. Which would make it impossible for SBGOK [Foundation Looking After Interests of Victims Online Gambling] (hey, don't blame me, I didn't think up that name; but it's better in Dutch if you only use the abbreviation) to sue the gambling houses for pay-out of the gained amounts.
So SBGOK wants that article removed. Will they succeed? Keep tuned; and pray.
Supposedly, the article serves to fight money laundering. No comment.
2024-02-16

Savage
A gentleman running amok caused the TUI flight AMS-CUR to land in the Azores, where he was removed by the police. He started hassling the honkies in the plane, and the cabin crew had to prevent him entering the cockpit. He addressed the stewardesses with "sexually tinted" remarks and accused the crackers of oppressing Curaçao. Also claimed to be a member of the notorious No Limit Soldiers gang. Four passengers (of what color isn't mentioned and indeed is of no importance) finally subdued him. He seemed to be Flying Under Influence. Ya think?
2024-02-16

More Savages
A boat on her way from Aruba to Curaçao was stopped by the Kustwacht coast guard and had 29 game cocks on board; not, as the papers said, 37 hens and cocks. And they were not meant for Curaçao either, but for Bonaire. Both islands forbid the import of game cocks. In Aruba cock fights are a lively sport, popular among certain parts of the people.
The beasts have been delivered to the veterinary service. Rest in peace.
2024-02-16

Over and Done With
Not completely. The old plans to collect all soiled rats in one building have definitely been canceled. Good, but now the idea is for related government services in an inner-city cluster. Because it'd be accessible for those poor suckers who don't have a car. Location is mentioned as Colon, where the government at least already owns some buildings.
Like new hospital CMC, I can't help being reminded.
2024-02-16

Here's YOur Chance
Currently, there is no Dutch Navy ship stationed in the Caribbean. Nobody seems to know when we'll get another one.
So, drug smugglers, go ahead! Not to forget Maduro while he's at it.
2024-02-15

Good Costume, Good Doggie
A guy who came back home from carnival celebrations, still in costume, was not recognized by his dog which attacked him and started to tear him to pieces.
Was it by chance a pitman bull?
2024-02-15

A Real Prick
There were problems with a carnival's procession because the police refused to let a truck participate with papers that weren't valid. Meaning, the chassis number was not the same as that on the inspection card, which I permit you hereby to call "fraud". Caused 2 or 3 hours delay for the show to get on the road. (All trailers are inspected by AGKK carnival committee.)
Baseball millionaire Kenley Jansen, owner of the group "Alegria", refused to take the vehicle off the road, so others could not proceed and held up the show. But the problem was readily solved when Jansen approached PM Prick Pias who personally intervened with the police. Which reminds us all. But it's not clear if those involved, which includes justice minister Hato will get away with it.
One more instance to lend weight to Pias's saying: "I'm the Commander-in-Chief" (and everybody must do as I say).
Udate: the trailer has been confiscated.
2024-02-14

More Trouble on the Way?
Orco Bank will purchase the assets of CIBC Caribbean (advertised as "the 100% Antillean bank"). No longer? The bank's clients are assured they will continue to receive excellent customer service.
All's well that ends well; but it hasn't ended yet.
2024-02-14

That's Fine
The standard of living in Curaçao is "relatively high", compared with other small developing countries, says a report by the University of the West Indies. Too bad if your income is below the poverty line, as almost one third are.
Do tell: is Haïti a "small" country? Even more to the point, is it "developing"? Are we?
2024-02-14

Not Yet. But When?
Remember that fuel stored in Bullenbaai terminal? It was supposed to be auctioned today, but that won't happen. Nobody tells us (or the press) why not.
At any rate, former auctions only resulted in non-payments by bidders. Say, and who's paying for all those bailiff's costs?
2024-02-14

Oh Cheez
Curaçao has been chosen as number 4 in the top-10 intercontinental destinations from Schiphol, Amsterdam.
There is a shortage of eggs in the island, (also) caused by the enormous amount of eggs the tourists consume.
2024-02-14

Look There!
Journalist Yves Cooper, who may be called a maverick, is acting up again. He lodged two complaints against PM Prick Pias after the latter caused the closing down of Restaurant Green House to be canceled, stimulated by a phone call from the proprietor.
Cooper acts for Foundation Dos bui pa Kòrsou which wants to improve the quality of public government, of SOEs and of State foundations. They've got their work cut out for them.
Complaints have been filed with the OM public ministry and Landsrecherche [crime police].
2024-02-13

Just Keep on Building
Illegally... A contractor had been warned that the house he was building was not permitted. He went on anyway and yesterday morning he was given notice to demolish the structures, plus all building materials were confiscated.
That'll teach him? Looks more like, there's no stopping these folks. It's our culture!
2024-02-13

"It's All in the Mind"
The "workers" at the tax collecting department, not for the first time, complain about fungus.
2024-02-12

Better Start Worrying?
Despite Venezuela president Maduro's assurances that "his" country will not try to annex the larger part of Guyana (Essequibo, which just happens to be rich in crude oil), troops, tanks, missile-equipped patrol boats, and an armored carrier are being stationed at the border. Venezuela is peed off because Guyana, after Exxon's discovery of rich new oil deposits, sought military alliances with the USA; but our friendly neighbor just might be interested in grabbing Essequibo anyway.
Next, war next door? Hopefully not. But remember, Venezuela has the support of Iran and China.
2024-02-11

Correction
According to Green Phenix there are no laws (yet?) to reduce plastic pollution. There's been talk about it, but no results. We're used to that, of course.
2024-02-11

Making Haste
The Julianabrug has to be thoroughly looked at. Which will be paid for out of the 800 million originally meant for infrastructure repairs. But after "highly necessary exercises" (translation: scratch what we can't afford or "borrow" from Makambia) this was reduced to 1/3rd: 310 million. By 2029 44 main roads will have been fixed. By then, they'll have to start all over again.
After all, says the department, the Julianabrug is over 50 years old. So?
Construction of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco started in 1933. The Nijmegen, Holland, Waalbrug was delivered in 1936. Both still going strong.
2024-02-10

The Usual Mess
In contrast with finance minister Silly Bully's story, MAN McWilliam claims that, in fact, there was a law exempting Curoil from paying import duties. But (hold your grin, this is serious) the Customs weren't told about it and kept sending Curoil bills, which were never paid.
Now maybe you can decide if Curoil does or does not has a tax debt.
2024-02-10

Damn the Torpedoes—and the Pollution
Isla asphalt production will start end May. GOMG has a contract for 5 years.
If the new environment law will be accepted by then, we're not told. Also, the judge may have hir/hes own thoughts about that.
2024-02-10

Oh Joy
Tourism grew with 27% in January: 60,000 stay-overs.
Curaçao.nu thought they'd celebrate with a picture of the tourist train, driving through the narrow Willemstad streets at a speed calculated to drive your blood pressure way up when you're stuck behind it.
2024-02-10

Guess We'll Pay Even More
Next April Curaçao will host two Parlatino meetings. Good, you think: so we don't have to cough up the sumptuous travel expenses of our members. But in fact, I wouldn't mind betting any takers that we'll pay even more to receive and feast those foreign delegates.
If we're ever told about it, sure.
2024-02-10

Slower than Expected?
Methinks van Hufteren had way too Great Expectations: the reforms in BPD ministry [board, planning and services] go slower than expected. Many new people have been hired, but they still have to learn their jobs.
If ever.
2024-02-10

Some Leak!
A forensic report (translation, to make sure: it may involve crime) on Aqualectra director Jonis has been leaked to the press, and it doesn't look good for him at all. But minister Cijntje says he deplores this, as "it should serve to protect the company's interests."
Which is a really, er, special way of looking at it—except in the "all hands wash all others" Curaçao politics
Another factor is that Jonis is involved in the reboot of Isla refinery; just the job for him, right?
2024-02-09

May Well Be
Curoil denies they have a tax debt; as so often, minister Silly Bully is talking rubbish. At least, that's what Curoil says: "It's all out of context." That one we too often heard before.
Someone needs to go figure.
2024-02-09

They'd Love That
A proposal reached my beady eye to combine all car tax payments in 1 digital transfer. Fine? But what it boils down to is, we'll pay car tax to the insurance company, who will then check if insurance has been paid before transferring the money to the Tax Person.
Which relieves said Tax Person from the job of having to check this; the insurance companies have done so already.
Gratis for nothing.
You can bet your ass that the insurance companies would do a much better checking job than the corrupt Tax Persons; plus, we won't have to stand inline when payment can be done online. All true. But...
2024-02-09

All Righty
The USA sanctions on Venezuelan oil do not apply to the arrangement where PdVSA pays its debt for half the amount in crude oil, to be delivered in ten years. Some deal!
2024-02-08

Di Nos E Ta!
Curaçao considers the reform of its tax "service" as an internal affair and wants the Kingdom to keep its claws off it. The country seems to like the "unauthorized preferred treatments and disadvantages of specific taxpayers." So says van Hufteren, still state secretary with the ongoing cabinet crisis in Holland.
2024-02-08

Get On With It
The inspections of supermarkets, restaurants etc. will be resumed.
2024-02-08

No Difference
Bully minister Silvania had a brilliant idea, as much too often on social media. Curoil owes 88 million guilders in taxes, which he wanted to condone. Otherwise, the people would have to pay up. He said.
As if then we wouldn't have to pay that amount in our taxes anyway.
When protests broke out, Sicvania retreated and said he'll await "the people's" reaction first.
2024-02-08

In Style
A big word to use for bully minister Silly Vain, but it refers to the fact that, as it turns out (and as we all suspected long since), he doesn't care a flying fuck about parliament and advises. The new Gambling Law LOK is pushed through and new licenses are already passed out to the gambling mafia. There are plenty of applicants, which surprises no one.
In other news, a Dutch gambler who in a couple of months lost €800,000 to a sub-licensee of GSP is requesting GSP's bankruptcy.
The gambler complains that GSP "abused his gambling addiction" which hardly sounds like a valid legal argument. Don't all gambling houses, incuding Staatsloterij do just that? But hey, I'm no lawyer.
2024-02-07

Not Popular
A survey of stakeholders on the restart of Isla refinery has resulted in some maybe doubtable opinions, but the outcome is clear: 75% think reopening the refinery in its present state will have a negative effect on tourism, agriculture and fishery.
"Eighty-five percent responded in Dutch, 10 percent responded in English and 4 percent responded in Papiamentu" reports Curaçao Chronicle. Out of 405 respondents. Makes you think a bit as well.
2024-02-07

Makes You Think
Again, a fisherman has fallen into the sea at Shete Boka. He was rescued all right. It's not clear if he did so earlier... What could possibly be the fatal attraction of that spot?
2024-02-07

Count on It
The new Guilder will be introduced on March 31, 2025. Central Bank CBCS says it can't be stopped: new coins and notes have been ordered already.
2024-02-07

Shortcomings
In anti-pollution plastic regulations. And they're working so hard on it! But wait, it's only Green Phenix crying alarm; which doesn't mean they haven't got a point. It doesn't mean they have one, either. What they tell us is, in March 2021 the government committed itself to effective preventive measures, and nothing much seems to have happened since.
Except, far as I know, plastic drinking straws, shopping bags and styrofoam food containers have been forbidden. There may be more.
2024-02-06

As If They Need It
A new thing as been introduced by Curaçao International Financial Center, called VVC for Variable Capital Company. Sparing you (and me) digging out the details, we're assured this will mean in new impulse for the Trust Companies. AKA "nests of crooks" who just had a major windfall by the new LOK-law, already.
2024-02-06

Oh, So
The Routemap Curaçao Climate Strategy has been offered by Mudbelly Cooper to Staten/parliament. It has been written by the Curaçao Climate Change Platform, which, I understand, has ties with several ministries. We can expect more heat waves (and also warmth waves, ça va sans dire), higher sea levels (hardly a new one except for the actual occurrence) and seawater temps, and more and more intense rainfall. Not so much for us, as for the Caribbean.
Amazingly, hurricanes are never mentioned. Did Hato MTO finally recognize it as a hoax story?
What we actually can do to prevent all these future disasters seems not to be made very clear. Good.
2024-02-06

Now It's Official
C***-Post announces that the days on which mail will be delivered will be reduced from 5 to 3 a week. We've long since gotten used to one a week, which in fact is admitted on C***-Post's website.
2024-02-05

Killing Law
Maybe not all of us, at once. But SMOC says it's painfully surprised by the new Environment law, now being built in haste to enable the newly planned polluting Isla refinery activities, reduces the measuring stations which should have been added to since 1997 to only one: that existing at Chas Chikito.
SMOC quotes the judge: "The verdict leaves no room for a transitional arrangement." So we change the law! Easy, huh?
2024-02-05

Candidates, Too
It's voters like ours that give Democracy a bad name.
2024-02-03

No Marvel
The Soiled Rats will get time off to join the Carnival fun. We pay. Condition is, "nature of the work allows for the absence." Well, that applies to every single one of them as far as I can judge.
2024-02-03

Give Them Time
The money owed by former Campo Alegre to the crime fighting fund still has not been deposited. Hey, it's only 5 or 6 years. And how much it's in total, with fines and all? We're not told.
2024-02-03

Keeps Growing
FIU Notification of unusual transactions, now "suspected" unusual transactions, has gone up again. As too often, we seem to read gibberish in the media. It reportedly went from (2019) 4,053 to (2021) 514. Something wrong there... Anyway, what now has been counted in 2023 is 839.
Most notifications came in from national and international banks, but, amazingly, also from online gambling houses and casinos.
2024-02-03

Why Not?
We've got plenty of money. At least, the government has. So the Soiled Rats want the money taken away from their salaries in the Covid years paid back. Nobody knows how much that totals, but who cares? Not their unions.
And maybe not the government, either.
2024-02-03

Not So Much
If you're a welfare AOV pensioner. They're now trying to see whether the monthly amount can become 100 guilders higher (first time since 2013!) but that will cost the government 45 million. Per year, if my machine is right.
But don't go out and buy that new Porsche yet; that will only go to those who only have AOV for income. The others? who also all paid for it in the socialist Ponzi con-trick scheme? Let 'em eat cake and continue driving their 5th-hand Kia Picanto.
2024-02-03

Opinions
Oh, how nice! Minister Silly Vain is back to bullying, this time of CMC hospital, where he claims a patient died 3 years ago because he was given a toxic medication. But CMC quotes Medisch Tuchtcollege [Medical Disciplinary Court] that concluded no toxic medications were given and death was due to natural causes.
CMC plans further steps against Silly Vain's "Inspection".
2024-02-02

Yes. True.
There are "remarkable" differences in prices of drinks, alcoholic or not, between supermarkets. You may pay double the prices asked elsewhere, says the consumers' union..
Which not only applies to drinks, we all can add.
2024-02-02

Prepare for Thy Doom
Isla refinery says that to comply with Environment laws limiting SO₂ pollution, the refinery will have to buy new installations; which won't work in less than 4 to 5 years.
2024-02-02

That's Nothing
Last year, Dutch Customs confiscated 1860 kilograms of coke; all from Curaçao. Comparing it to what's confiscated at sea here by Kustwacht can only make you conclude there's much, much more slipping through.
By a factor 10, is a popular rule of fist. Which seems not very provable in itself.
2024-02-02

Uh Oh
Two of Damen Shiprepairs'/DOK's/CDM's (take your pick) floating docks will be removed and sold for scrap. They never worked. Would these be those imported some years ago, with lots of noise? I'm afraid so.
2024-02-01

We Noticed
Our money lost 3.5% in value over last year. That's more than most saving accounts will pay in interest—on which the government charges tax to boot.
2024-02-01

Give It to Him
No doubt he'll put to it to good use. Mudbelly Cooper wants 310 million to fix the roads and drainage. If only he did it.
We're not told if this will be spent this year or in a, old USSR-like, multi-year plan.
2024-02-01

Don't Worry
The new USA-sanctions on Venezuela crude oil are no problem at all for Isla refinery exploitation. So says director Newton, who never lies.
Newton refers to the shady 450 million deal PM Prickie Pias made with PdVSA in payment of (over twice as high) old debts.
2024-02-01

That's Curaçao...
A management agreement has been signed, finally, for the Mari Pompun recreation area. That was opened July 2023.
Maybe now we'll get some real security there?
2024-02-01

218 Keys
Of coke, what else, on a boat Yola between Curaçao and Klein Curaçao.
"Some fish" was found as well.
2024-02-01

Rejoice
Another windpark at Playa Kanoa (where I can't see it—good). This one will cost 60 million dollars. It will save the government millions yearly on imported fossil fuels.
Not us. Not to judge from our electricity bills.
2024-02-01

Addicts' Nuisance
In 2021 the addicts' night care center Dios Yudami has been closed. (Wanna bet the government subsidy was cut off?) Since then, especially early in the mornings and evenings, several of them tend to become a nuisance pestering passers-by. Hey, they don't have anywhere to go!
2024-01-31

Damn the Torpedoes!
For a change, a real expert who knows what she's talking about, Bernadette Heijligers, writes about the way Papiamentu was smuggled into education, in spite of what should be better for the children. The educators want the teaching language to be Papiamentu, and who cares about the consequences for the pupils?
Here we've commented on this deplorable development and I'm sick and tired of it. Those stubborn mules just plow ahead and they have the Power (if not the Glory).
2024-01-31

There's More
About that F&F policy of the Tax Collector: they also have one for Foes & Enemies. They are often hassled just to make them pipe down a bit. (Tell me about it.) The F&F group includes several SOEs, we're told. You can't mean it. Another complaint is that many small contractors don't even have a CRIB-number and never pay any tax at all: estimated total 50%. But if you'd start bothering them, the economy (such as it is, right) will grind to a halt.
2024-01-31

Oh... Hold It
I forgot where I saw this, but suspect it's the bitter truth: candidates for Isla refinery take-over are "waiting for a new environment law". As well they might, because if the present one is maintained they won't have a chance.
And if they'll get the new one, it's we won't have a chance. Count on it.
2024-01-30

Yeah, Yeah...
In Dutch NRC ex-inspector of heath Jan Huurman sums up a number of points, all indicating that Curaçao is not fit to be an independent country. According to him, but we can only agree. Here are 7 of them: The many millions ex-PM Shorty made disappear — new CMC hospital, with a debt of 250 million already — Girobank and Ennia debacles we're still bleeding for and will keep doing so for 30 more years — the Covid pandemic disaster resulting in a 1 billion debt. Finally Huurman mentions the "rusting" refinery, but even though he may be right in that we'll never get it going again, he presumes that is because "the world has committed itself to a transition to fossil-free energy." Sorry Huurman, looks like it didn't after all; now that's what you'd call "unsustainable".
As for the rest, who could possibly deny it? "Failed nation" are the words that come to mind. Not even to mention the gambling mafia taking over.
After 13 years, Huurman advises us to start over à la BES. Dream on.
2024-01-30

Mazel Tov
Some fishing boat, of which the crew maintained that they went out to fish, had a lucky catch: 351 kilos of cocaine drifting around in the sea, just waiting to be picked up. Which they did.
Only, first OM public ministry and now the judge didn't much believe them and they all got 5 years in jail.
2024-01-30

Of Course Not!
No other ministries will get less money in the new budget to pay for the Ennia debacle. What did you expect, anyway? After all, it's we, the voters, who are ultimately responsible for getting that bunch of (words fail me).
2024-01-30

That's Permanent
It will never change? Not the way things are going. The Tax receiver has favorites, and in some cases it has been found that sums are just not collected. We pay for the difference, of course.
Question we all have: what will be done about it? With this government, nothing—or even less.
2024-01-29

Let's All Just Deny It...
.. and then proceeed as usual. Knipselkrant Curaçao carries one of their by now famous analyses of the gambling mafia. Listed are 90 (called: at least) "Trust service Extensers [who] manage[d] and then operate illegal online gambling worldwide, or on board software companies with which they facilitate and promote illegal online gambling, tax evasion and money laundering."
The usual guilty persons are mentioned by name: Jardim, ex minister, now director CBCS central bank; minister Sylvania; and several more. Read it (sorry, in Dutch.)
"The majority of the Curaçao trust offices are nests of crooks" is the opening quote. And it's almost as bad in Holland.
2024-01-29

What Else
Parliaments accords the 2024 budget.
Such as it is.
What difference does it make, anyway?
2024-01-28

That Long?
Next elections will be held March 21, 2025.
2024-01-28

Cool Down
Excitement on global media: Restaurant Green House was closed down during one of those inspections, but was reopened immediately. Arbitrary! Friends & Family politics! Even that worthless lout PM Prick Pias got involved and had to explain. And apologize to the inspecting official.
What exactly has been going on, except for a vague reference to "flies in the kitchen" I could not find out.
2024-01-27

Up, Down, Down, Up!
As Jerry Lee Lewis sang. Water will go up next month from 8.75 to 9.16/cu.m., electricity down! from 0.66 to 0.64/kW; mogas car fuel 1.98 to 2.02/liter; diesel 1.89 to 1.88; LPG cooking gas remains 80/100 lbs.
2024-01-27

Good News
No money from the Dutch Groeifonds growth fund for the disgusting APC plans for their Waterfort Plaza monstrosity. May be looked at as a consequence of Wilders PVV's election victory.
2024-01-26

More Stench
PM Prick Pias will not refer to Campo Alegre any more, but instead to Kunuku Hatun. Which supposedly is the name the people use. News for most of us.
A lawyer has started suing the OM public ministry because OM allegedly committed fraud in the sales of Campo. The lawyer claims that there always was security on the Campo premises, which is distinctly different then what we were told at the time. Time will tell?
Former spokesman (yes, he's male, not a person) Regales says it would be good for the island if Campo reopened. He doesn't mention the laundering and drug/gun dealing that went on there, nor draws the comparison with slavery he's always nagging about.
2024-01-26

Only...
The costs made since 2014 to find a new start-up for the Isla refinery take-over total 38.5 million guilders.
At least, that's what we're told. You're free to believe it or not.
How much was lost in bribery efforts, we of course don't know.
2024-01-26

Oh Wait
Without knowing what the results may be, it's still interesting that the Dutch government will soon evaluate the Ennia-deal. Cft financial supervision thinks the 30 million/year coughed up by the island is a too large risk.
What Holland can and wants to do to change that is another matter.
2024-01-26

Kinda Kute
In 2020, in New Jersey USA the use of plastic (and paper) bags for shopping was prohibited.
Since then, the use of plastics has tripled. Reusables were discarded at the rate of 151 million pounds/year versus 53 before single-use bangs were prohibited.
Not so contradictory as it seems: 15-20 times as much plastic is used in the manufacture of resusable bags, and they are used 2-3 times versus, obviously, once.
2024-01-26

Forget It
For now? And for much later as well. Mudbelly (AKA "Bolo") Cooper talks about the future FAA status of Curaçao and can't mention one single hard date. Not that you'd expect him too; after all, this has been going on since 2011 already. Remember how in 2012 same Cooper (then MAN), was bragging that FAA was impressed by his department's work on the problem?
2024-01-25

No Such Thing
The opposition parties demand clarity about the future of Isla refinery. As it the government or management could possibly supply it.
2024-01-24

Money for Buses
There is now money to finance 5 new buses (out of 15 needed), in total 2 million guilders. So they must be diesels, not EVs. For now.
2024-01-24

Sigh
Amigoe analyzes the new budget and concludes that the government is working on bettering the soiled rats' conditions, rather then improving the country's payment balance.
Nice to have our suspicions confirmed? Not even that, no.
2024-01-24

It's Private
One again, the island has tried to get its ugly claws into the cash profits of Kadaster land register. And again, the judge (now in appeal) has told 'em to forget it: since 2002, its a private foundation and the money is untouchable.
Amazing, huh, that now they're non-government they make a profit? Makes you think a bit.
2024-01-24

Count Your Profits
CTB and the Gang want to double the amount of visiting day trippers cruise tourists to 1.5 million/year. Every one of them contributes $90 to the economy (somehow; much of that flows out immediately, but don't mention it); total $1,350,000 or ANG2.430,000/year. Most impressive. And damn the torpedoes!
2024-01-24

Only 15,000
Illegal terrains on the island. Stolen from the government. This has been known since 6 or 7 years—at least—, resulting in a 100 million (total? per year?) uncollected money for the government.
Air photography should now serve to find those illegally occupied terrains. According to Lionel Janga, ex-head ROP, this is not a mere question of poverty: enormous houses are built on those terrains and they're also exploited for removing diabase.
Why nothing has been done all those years? And we loaning more and more money from cash-cow Holland.
As usual, slavery is said to be a cause. Because slaves had no rights whatsoever, including terrain ownership. Huh? Kindly explain further?
2024-01-23

Questions! Answers?
Those nitwits in-the-know want to import 10,000 extra workers, with their families, to augment the catering services. Where will they come from? Where will they live? How will they get from home to work and back?
Say each brings a 3-person family, that means population will go up from 160,000 (?) to 200,000.
In 2022, there were 66,722 employed workers on the island. So we'll get some 15% more. To give you a further idea, officially Curaçao has 5,001-10,000 government employees. (Rather a wide margin...) And what will happen to the Curazoleños? Who cares. Goodbye Papiamentu?
2024-01-22

It's a Secret
Consumer Interests Curaçao wants ForenSys to give motorists all info related to accidents. Now, they must often be forced in court to do so. Result is that motorists have to pay a lawyer before they'll have a chance on compensation.
Presently, "ForenSys makes the collected data easily available online to insurance companies via a web-accessible database." [Emphasis added.]
2024-01-20

Appeal
HIMA (Hende i Medio Ambiente) is appealing the court's decision that Aqualectra (= the government) is doing enough to supply water to people in difficult conditions.
2024-01-20

Nothing New
The much-vaunted "Punda-Pact" everybody (well, maybe almost everybody) was so enthusiastic about has found hardly any follow-up wort mentioning. But now, activities will be rebooted!
Just like the Isla refinery.
25 action points should have been executed before 2023. We're not told how many actually made it. Among them, demolishing the Cinelandia building and turning the Plaza Hotel into an even worse monstrosity.
2024-01-20

You Bet Your Ass
"10,000 needed new Horeca/catering industry workers will be difficult to find locally." So one idea is to import (part of) them, plus their families. During the next three years, there's talk of 3900-5200 more workers needed.
2024-01-20

How to Pay
About those EV-buses. Now it's a "Pilot Project" but financing is still not completed. Small wonder. It's one more boondoggle among many promising a Golden Feature that costs nothing. (Except some.)
To repeat, once again. From what we're left to figure out for ourselves (that's transparency, folks!) Those EVs will set us back 2.5 times the normal price for diesels. Plus we've been told batteries will be added in the set-up which will drive up costs even farther. No matter, there's money in them thar buses.
Only, not for us.
2024-01-19

Back up to date after a bout with Covid followed by bronchitis.
One more week to go and I hope to be fully back at working order, thanks.
Old Popular Song
The government plans to start regulating public trash dumping and burning have (at least) one disadvantage. Once again, possibilities are very limited because the existing pre-independence laws were not continued after 10-10-10.
2024-01-19

For You, Not for Me
RvA advisory council mentions that all those guys who get an Ennia-pension are now fixed good and proper, but the poor suckers who only get AOW welfare pension continue to be at a disadvantage. Since 2013; it bears repeating.
2024-01-19

No Kidding
One of the first results we read about the last census, people are living in smaller homes than they used to. Cheaper, you know. To which I have to add that many were saddled up with much larger houses than they obviously needed. But to call this "progress" is another matter again.
2024-01-19

Relax, You Won't Get Money Back
Aqualectra, after a two months' grace period, is now ready to start collecting debts from defaulters. Out of 308 checks,. 6 commercial institutions and 54 private residences were reported for illegal activities.
2024-01-18

Not For You
Arrangements for collecting Purchase Tax will be lightened for Willemstad's Punda and Otrabanda. For tourists, you know. We keep on paying, as if we'd expect else.
It's for now only meant for cruise tourists, as there's less chance for fraud there. You think? A bit less, but there are ways. Plenty of 'em.
2024-01-18

Must Be Money
MAN/PIN's Cleopa wants to be old more about the machinations of the Prick Pias cabinet re. the future of Selikor. It certainly is curious that Selikor's subcontractors were threatened to be replaced by those active for DOW public works (Read: Mudbelly. Aha! So that's the way the fat cookies crumble?)
"A political football" we read. Isn't by now everything? It's hard to judge what's going on. Selikor itself isn't exactly famous for transparency in its operations.
2024-01-18



Fairy Palace of Peace, den Haag, NL
locally AKA "PiesPalès" (Source WIKI)
Oho
The premature extending of gambling (sub) licenses awaiting the new LOK gambling law, is in violation of the law.
Will that make any difference in this by now worse-than-lawless society?
2024-01-17

More Soap
Remember that CRU-oil auction? Due to its tremendous success, it will be repeated—again! Starting to be a running joke. Once again, the highest bidder after all couldn't pay. Or maybe they did, nobody tells us exactly what's going on. You never really get used to that.
2024-01-14

We're Not Asked
Cft financial supervision is fine with the Ennia "solution", where the budget will take care of 30 million/year to cover the pensions. Until (at least) 2074.
Which means, you know it does, we'll have to pay.
2024-01-16

We'll Pay Instead
Debts of subsidized foundations will not be collected by the government anymore. Another gift from our finance minister. It's a well-known fact that those subsidies were, er, highly suspect in the first place and often went to F&F instead of, for example, the sports which they were supposed to promote.
2024-01-16

Dushi Hende
"Nice people"—a female tourist's purse was grabbed from a car, but as she didn't let it go, she was dragged along for 200 meters. When she finally released it, the car sped on on its way. No idea about what criminals are involved.
2024-01-16

Related, Maybe
The judge has spoken out: Curaçao with its limited resources cannot be held responsible to supply all people with clean potable water. Which would include defaulters.
While there's much to be said for that opinion, it automatically follows that the other people, who can afford to pay their bills in the bargain, will have to cough up. Hey, my resources are limited as well.
2024-01-16

Won't Work, Geert
Dutch PVV's Geert Wilders still wants to kick all criminal Antillians back out of Holland. It's easy to follow his, and Dutch voters', frustration. However, as far as I can see, that can't be done. We're all Dutch citizens.
2024-01-13

Shaddap, Bully
Finance minister Silly Bully Vania warns there's a lot of misinformation beging distrubuted on all his terrible new laws.
Not only by ot her parties than his, you must add.
2024-01-13

Agreed. Not That It Matters
Ex health-inspector Jan Huurmans opines that the last thing Curaçao must do is relaxing the conditions for air pollution, so as to enable start-ups to go ahead and keep poisoning us all as long as they feel they need to.
Easy prognosis: we're all sorry Jan, won't help one fart.
2024-01-13

What Else
Utility Aqualectra will not pay any dividends over 2019, 2020 and 2021. You won't notice, even though you're a shareholder as a citizen. The Government will; take care of that.
2024-01-13

Masks in Prison
The world on its head? No, another Covid attack. There's other places where they're obligated now as well.
2024-01-13

'Course Not
The anti-mafia law (against money laundering, terrorism and its proliferation, is nowhere near comoption. Are you suprised? I guess nobody is. First things first, get the LOK pro-gambling mafia law accepted.
The Curaçao Bar Associtation has its problems with that; so does Staten/parliament. Will it help one bit?
2024-01-13

Aw Shucks
Suriname's Gangster Boss Desi Bouterse, who was supposed to turn up for jail next Friday, has disappeared. Without a trace. A private foreign aircraft (didn't anybody note the registration?) is alleged to've picked him up. He may now be in Venezuela, but his wife isn't talking.
Didn't anybody see this coming? No difference; I'm sure Zanderij Airport is full of Desi's hangmen.
2024-01-13


Floating Cage
Floating Cage
Can't help it. Drove by the harbor today and the resemblance struck me like with a hammer: those tourist ships look just like cages afloat.
Which they are, of course.
2024-01-13

What Else
The parliament meeting on the 2024 budget has been delayed.
Again.
And the civil rats' costs are 15% higher! not a cent less.
2024-01-12

It Will Never Be
Current draft of Gambling Ordinance (LOK) not ready for Parliament, says RVA Advisory Council. You ask me, it will never be.
But possibly, there's a meager chance, I'm just prejudiced.
2024-01-12

Huh?
"Government's plan related to the increase in the price of basic goods" is the Curaçao Chronicle headline. But wait, they're working on reducing the problem. If that will help?
2024-01-12

Here's a Thought
When you hit a road bump, imagine it was Mudbelly you drove over. It won't help you, nor your vehicle, and he won't even feel it. Same for what h.h. called "crocodile skin asphalt". Fits in with his smile.
2024-01-12

More or Less
Back in the saddle. First Covid got me, then bronchitis: La Vie en Bleu. Now in the aftermath (did it take the starch out of me...) have to cope with all those filthy tricks of our Beloved Leaders. Enjoy or skip, whatever tickles your fancy.
2024-01-12

Not Only Dogs
The aggression by loose-running dogs is getting worse and worse. Several cases have occurred and it's getting more, not less. And OM public ministry doesn't know how to handle this.
Not to mention the "dogs on two legs" as the popular saying here goes.
2024-01-10

On Their Toes
The Tax person is switching over to digital correspondence. It will save 450,000/year.
Maybe even better, we will receive their documents in time before the date to protest has gone by.
2024-01-10

Tell Us
Cft financial supervision, AKA the bend-over-backwards club, is worried about the growing spoiled rats' costs. So are we all.
Compared to 2023, this year's cost will be over 10% higher: 503 versus 440 million.
2024-01-10

Party Time
MPs complain they have to work so hard these days, because the budget meetings coincide with the preparations for Karnival. Tough.
2024-01-09

There It Is
SER social-economic council advises to relax the refinery clean air norms, to enable new start-ups/reboots shances. What a surprise! Illegal? "Only marks on paper." Isla refinery has announced it will switch to LNG for fuel, which should result in less pollution. But that may take 15 years. Right, fifteen years. If at all.
2024-01-09

Wait for It
Dutch PVV leader Geert Wilders, who's called a "populist" because he democratically won the elections, is prepared to cancel 3 controversial demands to make himself more acceptable to the other so high-and-fine politicians.
Now wait for how this will be turned into a negative fact.
2024-01-09

Tell Us About it
Let it go... there's no need to. Dutch NRC has an article on how tourism makes the coral reefs die off. Especially those cruising hotels are the death knell. Sure, we've known that for years; but wo cares? Not the government nor the sucker-exploiters. Après nous le déluge once again somes it up nicely: wasting our future resources to make a quick buck now.
It's our culture!
2024-01-08

Say It Ain't So!
Well, he did. Mudbelly Cooper stated emphatically that he didn't know ex-PM Shorty was a figurehead in FKP social homes; but as it turns out, he was well aware. Also, we can only add, Shorty made a clean 8000 guilders/month ($3600) on the job. Because of his "knowledge, skills and determination". This was at the time when people were getting afraid they'd be kicked out of their homes. For some reason. Musta been a coincidence.
2024-01-08

Say I Ain't So!
Well, he does. Finance minister Silvania says it wasn't he who had his friends stop payments on taxes older than 2017; that's a job of the receiver.
No matter that the High Court judged differently. Nobody's taxes have been abolished, says Silly Bully now, although he played a quite different tune when he published the same in FakeBooc. Even always complying state secretary van Hufteren blamed him for it. All in all, it's only 3 billion guilders.
2024-01-08

Sounds Good
ARC accounting will investigate APC pension fund's yearly accounts from 2020-2022. A bit late, you say? One of the things looked into will be if APC follows the relevant legal provisions.
2024-01-06

That's Good, Too
As from Monday, you can pay your Car Tax, in one or 2 two terms. Seems almost 10% of drivers omit to pay the second half. They'll have to pay that before they can pay the new year.
Prices as last year's.
2024-01-06

No Worries
There's some misunderstanding about the Tax Person's recovery policy. But it's not about remission of open tax debts: only about prioritizing those claims. So says Silly Bully (after all, he could have fooled us).
So not to worry, they're gonna get you yet.
2024-01-06

We Know
31.3% of the people are living below the poverty line.
Now do something about it instead of robbing us.
2024-01-05

He Would
Minister Cijntje deplores that the report on Aqualectra's CEO Jonis's malversations, no other word, has been leaked. He'd rather have had it remain comfy under covers.
The long and the short of it is that he failed to live up to his responsibilities as shareholder.
2024-01-05

Once More and Again
A few hotheads, members of the slavery-is-a-disgrace-and-whities-are-to-blame club has now discovered there are still streets named after former Dutch "heroes" like admiral Piet Heyn and even (!) that colonialist crook Columbus. Just when we got rid of the name of Stuyvesant College, and even made his statue disappear, we have to start getting morally excited all over again. Give us all a break, okay? E kos ta kansa hende - that stuff is tiresome.
Remember? We have to thank mainly ex-minister Rosalia for that name change. Another Bully, also allegedly hassling and harassing the women working for him. Good thing he disappeared without a trace, long since; just like Peter's statue.
2024-01-04

Flop
The Pact for Punda, an ambitious plan to improve Willemstad (containing also Otrabanda, Pietermaai and Scharloo) didn't work out so well. There were 35 action points, but we're not even informed how many of those were actually executed. Should have been done before December 2 last year. Blamed are the not forthcoming proceeds of parking fees.
I can only hope the same thing happens to the Waterfort plans.
2024-01-04

Don't Bet On It
RvA advisory council keeps insisting that their advises on Silly Bully's new LOK law should have been adapted before the law was presented to parliament. But I'm sure that Silly Bully had very good reasons not to do so.
Just like I'm sure that the law will be accepted an voted for anyway. Please surprise me.
2024-01-04

What Else
Voices are being raised to start criminal investigation into the acts of Jonis, former Aqualectra CEO. Sounds good to me. It's all because of a forensic report, leaked to the public. Which minister Cijntje deplores; should have been kept out of sight, right?
Among other things, Jonis went ahead and bought stuff, far exceeding his procuration. He deliberately withheld information. One item is the transport costs of those wind generators, with 10 million dollars exceeding his procuration limit by almost 20 times.
Engaging a criminal lawyer is urgently advised.
2024-01-04

Like, What?!
The government regulator SBTNO has given Aqualectra the green light to go ahead with their plans to become ISP Intertel. We are told that "something as vital as telephony and the internet should not solely be in the hands of commercial entities but should also be offered by the government."
You think? Oh, that explains why they sold Setel/UTS to Flow.
2024-01-04

Really?
M*F*K PM Prick Pias promises us that the Isla refinery will be rebooted in this coming year.
Don't hold your breath.
2024-01-03

Good Riddance
That may be your first reaction, but you may be wrong. 3 members of the Aqualectra board have taken their leave, complaining about the lack of the shareholder's cooperation; which of course still is the M*F*K-PNP government.
The trouble seems to be the non-firing of ex-director Jonis, who finally got out himself looking for greener pastures. Mentioned are Jonis's "serial unacceptable acts as CEO" on which not a single content-related reaction was given.
Aqualectra, they say, is facing an enormously difficult year with grave challenges.
2024-01-03

Remember Benny?
Benny Demei is who I mean. He was far ahead of the rest of us laggards when in 2008 he announced we'd "never have to work again" because he'd brought sports betting to Curaçao, resulting in 2000 new jobs. Only it didn't.
You have to admit, our Bully finance minister doesn't even promise that with his new LOK law.
2024-01-02

Who Pays? We Pay!
Because so many cars drive around uninsured, 28%, the price for those who do have any is 40% higher than it would be otherwise.
Also, Curaçao doesn't know a so-called Waarborgfonds [guarantee fund] that in Holland covers damages for those who get involved in a car crash caused by an uninsured party.
2024-01-02

Meanwhile, in Venice
Everybody seems to be enthusiastic about the wave of visiting tourists. Almost everybody, that is. In Italian Venice, which makes a lot of money on the trade, not everybody is. Starting in June, groups will be limited to 25 people (half a bus-full) and loudspeakers will be banned from the streets.
That at least is a thing we're not plagued by. Yet.
2024-01-02

Hah!
Sorry to start this new year on a sarcastic note. But there it is: RvA advisory council opines that the limited validity period for gambling institutes must be maintained in the new LOK law.
That's all good and well, but is it what the mafiosi want? And what they don't want, we won't get.
2024-01-01



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