Betico Croes
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Gilberto François "Betico" Croes (Template:IPA; 25 January 1938 – 26 November 1986) was an Aruban political activist who was a proponent for Aruba's separation from the Netherlands Antilles. This eventually occurred in 1986, but following a car accident on 31 December 1985 (the night of status aparte), Croes lapsed into a coma and never became conscious to see his accomplishment. He is best remembered as "Libertador" (liberator) and as the father of the Aruban people.<ref name=r1>Betico Croes. historiadiaruba.aw</ref><ref name=r2>Gilbert François (Betico) Croes. Biblioteca National Aruba</ref>
Biography and career
Croes was born on 25 January 1938, in Santa Cruz.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After finishing high school, he studied in the Netherlands at the Teacher's Training College in Hilversum and received his headmaster's certificate in 1959.<ref name="r1" />
In 1967, Croes first participated in the island council of Aruba as a member of the Aruban People's Party (AVP) and was elected.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He resigned in July 1970 after the AVP had decided not to give a seat to the UNA.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In February 1971, Croes founded the political party People's Electoral Movement (Movimiento Electoral di Pueblo),<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and was elected to the island council.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In 1973, the MEP won 5 of the 8 seats for Aruba in the Estates of the Netherlands Antilles.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In 1976 he was the person responsible for the Seal Flag and National Anthem of the island of Aruba. It was co-written by renowned Padu Del Caribe (Padu Lampe), and Rufo Wever, who also composed the anthem.<ref name=r2/>
Background
In 1954, the Netherlands Antilles became a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and was given self-government.<ref name="wetten">Template:Cite news</ref> Aruba is the second most populous island, however, Curaçao is the largest and most populous island.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Aruba had 8 seats in the Estates of the Netherlands Antilles, Curaçao had 12 seats, Bonaire had one seat, and Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten shared a single seat.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Capital of the Netherlands Antilles was Willemstad, Curaçao.<ref name="wetten"/>
Struggle for independence
In 1977, Croes organized a referendum regarding Aruba's independence.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Aruban Patriotic Party (PPA) announced a boycott of the referendum,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and the Government of the Netherlands Antilles declared the referendum illegal, and announced, prior to the referendum, that it was not willing to accept the results.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the March 1977 referendum, 95% of the voters were in favor of independence.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In June 1977, Boy Rozendal of the Democratic Party of Curaçao won a clear victory in the elections in the Netherlands Antilles.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> No former was assigned to create a new cabinet instead Rozendal, who was an opponent of Aruban autonomy,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> installed his coalition without consulting the MEP. Croes announced demonstrations and a boycott of Curaçaoan products.<ref name="aparte"/>
On 11 August 1977, a general strike (1977 Aruba general strike) shut down the island during which the riot police made multiple charges. On 18 August, the union leaders were arrested and the strike ended, however, Prime Minister Joop den Uyl of the Netherlands started a dialogue because the situation had spun out of control.<ref name="aparte">Template:Cite web</ref>
In February 1981, at the Round Table Conference, Croes formally set Aruba's Independence for 1991,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> however the Round Table Conference of 1983, resulted in a proposed new Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands in which Aruba would have a Status Aparte making it a constituent country within the Kingdom in 1986, and possible independence in 1996.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 24 April 1983, Croes was shot in the stomach by police officer Libier.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Libier was transferred to Bonaire in June,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In November, the Public Prosecution Service decided not to charge him, because there was no proof that he had aimed at Croes.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In July 1985 the charter, as agreed in March 1983, in Aruba's Decolonization and Independence Agreement, was unanimously approved by the island council of Aruba, however, the PPA boycotted the vote. The Status Aparte would take effect on 1 January 1986.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In the 1980s Croes recommended that Aruba should target tourism in order to diversify the economy since it depended mainly on the refinery.Template:Citation needed He was also responsible for major projects for the people of Aruba, like the housing company FCCA,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and the transportation company Arubus,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
1985 elections and death
In November 1985, the MEP lost the election, and Henny Eman of the Aruban People's Party (AVP) would become the first Prime Minister of Aruba.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On 31 December 1985, Croes was in a traffic accident and lapsed into a coma.<ref name="r1" /> Croes died on 26 November 1986 in a reactivation and nursing center in Utrecht, Netherlands. His remains were flown to Aruba for burial.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> An estimated 40,000 people attended his funeral (Aruba had an estimated 65,000 inhabitants in 1985).<ref name="funeral">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
A famous quote from him is "Si mi cai na caminda, gara e bandera y sigui cu e lucha" (If I fall along the way, grab the flag and continue the battle).<ref name=r1/><ref name=r2/>
Personal life
Croes had four children: two sons—Glenbert Croes and Gilberto Junior Croes and two daughters—Glendeline Croes and Guisette Croes.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>
Both of Croes' sons served as Ministers and Glenbert is as of 2021 in office as Minister of Labor, Integration and Energy.<ref name=r2/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Legacy
- Template:Ill is celebrated on his birthday of 25 January as a national holiday.<ref name=":0"/>
- The 18 Maart Plein in Oranjestad was renamed Plaza Betico Croes.<ref name="funeral"/>
- Caya G. F. Betico Croes is named after him and is the main shopping street of Oranjestad, the Aruban capital.<ref name="r1" />