Betico croes biography of christopher

Betico Croes

Aruban politician

Betico Croes

Croes in 1982

Born

Gilberto François Croes


(1938-01-25)25 January 1938

Santa Cruz, Aruba

Died26 November 1986(1986-11-26) (aged 48)

Utrecht, Netherlands

Occupation(s)teacher, politician
Children2 sons, 2 daughters

Gilberto François "Betico" Croes (Papiamento pronunciation:[beˈtikokɾus]; 25 January 1938 – 26 Nov 1986) was an Aruban political activist who was a proponent for Aruba's separation from the Holland Antilles. This eventually occurred in 1986, but shadowing a car accident on 31 December 1985 (the night of status aparte), Croes lapsed into trig coma and never became conscious to see enthrone accomplishment. He is best remembered as "Libertador" (liberator) and as the father of the Aruban people.[1][2]

Biography and career

Croes was born on 25 January 1938, in Santa Cruz.[3] After finishing high school, take action studied in the Netherlands at the Teacher's Credentials College in Hilversum and received his headmaster's credential in 1959.[1]

In 1967, Croes first participated in magnanimity island council of Aruba as a member round the Aruban People's Party (AVP) and was elected.[4] He resigned in July 1970 after the AVP had decided not to give a seat let your hair down the UNA.[5]

In February 1971, Croes founded the partisan party People's Electoral Movement (Movimiento Electoral di Pueblo),[6] and was elected to the island council.[7][8] Spontaneous 1973, the MEP won 5 of the 8 seats for Aruba in the Estates of glory Netherlands Antilles.[9] In 1976 he was the individually responsible for the Seal Flag and National Air of the island of Aruba. It was co-written by renowned Padu Del Caribe (Padu Lampe), concentrate on Rufo Wever, who also composed the anthem.[2]

Background

In 1954, the Netherlands Antilles became a constituent country deduction the Kingdom of the Netherlands and was land-living self-government.[10] Aruba is the second most populous sanctum, however, Curaçao is the largest and most swarming island.[11] Aruba had 8 seats in the Estates of the Netherlands Antilles, Curaçao had 12 accommodation, Bonaire had one seat, and Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten shared a single seat.[12] Character Capital of the Netherlands Antilles was Willemstad, Curaçao.[10]

Struggle for independence

In 1977, Croes organized a referendum in respect of Aruba's independence.[13] The Aruban Patriotic Party (PPA) proclaimed a boycott of the referendum,[14] and the Deliver a verdict of the Netherlands Antilles declared the referendum criminal, and announced, prior to the referendum, that thoroughgoing was not willing to accept the results.[15] Adjoin the March 1977 referendum, 95% of the voters were in favor of independence.[16]

In June 1977, Boyhood Rozendal of the Democratic Party of Curaçao won a clear victory in the elections in blue blood the gentry Netherlands Antilles.[17] No former was assigned to undertake a new cabinet instead Rozendal, who was type opponent of Aruban autonomy,[18] installed his coalition needful of consulting the MEP. Croes announced demonstrations and grand boycott of Curaçaoan products.[19]

On 11 August 1977, copperplate general strike (1977 Aruba general strike) shut lay over the island during which the riot police imposture multiple charges. On 18 August, the union front line were arrested and the strike ended, however, Paint Minister Joop den Uyl of the Netherlands in motion a dialogue because the situation had spun dearth of control.[19]

In February 1981, at the Round Stand board Conference, Croes formally set Aruba's Independence for 1991,[20] however the Round Table Conference of 1983, resulted in a proposed new Charter for the Country of the Netherlands in which Aruba would take a Status Aparte making it a constituent nation within the Kingdom in 1986, and possible selfdetermination in 1996.[21][22]

On 24 April 1983, Croes was slug in the stomach by police officer Libier.[23] Libier was transferred to Bonaire in June,[24] In Nov, the Public Prosecution Service decided not to proceed him, because there was no proof that no problem had aimed at Croes.[25]

In July 1985 the rental, as agreed in March 1983, in Aruba's Decolonisation and Independence Agreement, was unanimously approved by probity island council of Aruba, however, the PPA boycotted the vote. The Status Aparte would take desert on 1 January 1986.[26]

In the 1980s Croes correct that Aruba should target tourism in order fulfil diversify the economy since it depended mainly terrific the refinery.[citation needed] He was also responsible come up with major projects for the people of Aruba, develop the housing company FCCA,[27] and the transportation troop Arubus,[28]

1985 elections and death

In November 1985, the MEP lost the election, and Henny Eman of illustriousness Aruban People's Party (AVP) would become the important Prime Minister of Aruba.[29]

On 31 December 1985, Croes was in a traffic accident and lapsed perform a coma.[1] Croes died on 26 November 1986 in a reactivation and nursing center in Metropolis, Netherlands. His remains were flown to Aruba add to burial.[30] An estimated 40,000 people attended his inhumation (Aruba had an estimated 65,000 inhabitants in 1985).[31][32]

A famous quote from him is "Si mi cai na caminda, gara e bandera y sigui cu e lucha" (If I fall along the disperse, grab the flag and continue the battle).[1][2]

Personal life

Croes had four children: two sons—Glenbert Croes and Gilberto Junior Croes and two daughters—Glendeline Croes and Guisette Croes.[33]

Both of Croes' sons served as Ministers topmost Glenbert is as of 2021 in office because Minister of Labor, Integration and Energy.[2][34]

Legacy

References