Betico Croes
Encyclopedia
Gilberto François "Betico" Croes (January 25, 1938 - November 26, 1986) was an Aruba
n political activist who was a proponent of Aruba's separation from the rest of the Netherlands Antilles
. This eventually occurred, but Croes lapsed into a coma after an accident on 31 December 1985 (the night of status aparte) and was never conscious to see his accomplishment. He is called the father of the Aruban nation.
The accident he suffered was questioned by many for years since a car was seen leaving the area after the accident. This conspiracy theory
was never proven.
He was the leader of the political party People's Electoral Movement
(Movimiento Electoral di Pueblo) and in 1976 was the person responsible for the Seal, Flag
and Hymn of the island of Aruba. The hymn was co-written by renowned Padu Del Caribe (Padu Lampe), and Rufo Wever, who also composed the anthem.
He was also responsible for the referendum held March 1977, for Aruba's independence, which obtained 83% of the votes in favor of independence.
Betico Croes also was responsible for formally setting Aruba’s Independence Date for 1991, at the Round Table Conference in February 1981,
But at the Round Table Conference in march 1983 the date for Aruba’s Independence was changed from 1991, and set in two stages/steps: the first stage/step: Aruba’s Independence from the Netherlands Antilles was set for 1986, and for ten years later, the second stage/step: Aruba’s Independence from the Netherlands, for 1996! At Betico’s arrival in Aruba, after the RTC, he was received with total approval and joy by the people.
He is also responsible for the fact that in August 1985: Aruba’s Constitution and its Independence first from the Netherlands Antilles, and then from the Netherlands, as agreed in march 1983, in Aruba’s Decolonization and Independence Agreement, is unanimously approved by all political parties in Aruba.
In the 1980s he also said that Aruba should target tourism in order to diversify the economy since it depended mainly on the refinery.
He also was responsible for major projects for the people of Aruba like F.C.C.A., Arubus, Sasaki Plan (he envisioned the area destined for hotels) and many more.
Aruba's official Holiday to remember him has been marked on January 25, his birth date.
Caya G. F. Betico Croes is named after him and is the main shopping street of Oranjestad, Aruba
.
Has 2 sons, Glenbert and Junior Croes and 2 daughters Lalo Saladin-Croes and Guisette Croes.
Aruba
Aruba is a 33 km-long island of the Lesser Antilles in the southern Caribbean Sea, located 27 km north of the coast of Venezuela and 130 km east of Guajira Peninsula...
n political activist who was a proponent of Aruba's separation from the rest of the Netherlands Antilles
Netherlands Antilles
The Netherlands Antilles , also referred to informally as the Dutch Antilles, was an autonomous Caribbean country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, consisting of two groups of islands in the Lesser Antilles: Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao , in Leeward Antilles just off the Venezuelan coast; and Sint...
. This eventually occurred, but Croes lapsed into a coma after an accident on 31 December 1985 (the night of status aparte) and was never conscious to see his accomplishment. He is called the father of the Aruban nation.
The accident he suffered was questioned by many for years since a car was seen leaving the area after the accident. This conspiracy theory
Conspiracy theory
A conspiracy theory explains an event as being the result of an alleged plot by a covert group or organization or, more broadly, the idea that important political, social or economic events are the products of secret plots that are largely unknown to the general public.-Usage:The term "conspiracy...
was never proven.
He was the leader of the political party People's Electoral Movement
People's Electoral Movement (Aruba)
The People's Electoral Movement is a social democratic political party in Aruba.At the last elections for the Estates, 28 September 2001, the party won 52.4 % of popular votes and 12 out of 21 seats. 23 September 2005, the party won 43 % of the popular vote and 11 out of 21 seats and remained, led...
(Movimiento Electoral di Pueblo) and in 1976 was the person responsible for the Seal, Flag
Flag of Aruba
Aruba's national flag was adopted on March 18, 1976. The design consists of a field of light blue , two narrow parallel horizontal yellow stripes in the bottom half, and a four-pointed white-fimbriated red star in the canton.The design elements have multiple symbolic meanings:* The blue field...
and Hymn of the island of Aruba. The hymn was co-written by renowned Padu Del Caribe (Padu Lampe), and Rufo Wever, who also composed the anthem.
He was also responsible for the referendum held March 1977, for Aruba's independence, which obtained 83% of the votes in favor of independence.
Betico Croes also was responsible for formally setting Aruba’s Independence Date for 1991, at the Round Table Conference in February 1981,
But at the Round Table Conference in march 1983 the date for Aruba’s Independence was changed from 1991, and set in two stages/steps: the first stage/step: Aruba’s Independence from the Netherlands Antilles was set for 1986, and for ten years later, the second stage/step: Aruba’s Independence from the Netherlands, for 1996! At Betico’s arrival in Aruba, after the RTC, he was received with total approval and joy by the people.
He is also responsible for the fact that in August 1985: Aruba’s Constitution and its Independence first from the Netherlands Antilles, and then from the Netherlands, as agreed in march 1983, in Aruba’s Decolonization and Independence Agreement, is unanimously approved by all political parties in Aruba.
In the 1980s he also said that Aruba should target tourism in order to diversify the economy since it depended mainly on the refinery.
He also was responsible for major projects for the people of Aruba like F.C.C.A., Arubus, Sasaki Plan (he envisioned the area destined for hotels) and many more.
Aruba's official Holiday to remember him has been marked on January 25, his birth date.
Caya G. F. Betico Croes is named after him and is the main shopping street of Oranjestad, Aruba
Oranjestad, Aruba
Oranjestad is the capital and largest city of Aruba, which is in the Caribbean north of Venezuela. Oranjestad is located on the southern coast near the western end of the island country...
.
Has 2 sons, Glenbert and Junior Croes and 2 daughters Lalo Saladin-Croes and Guisette Croes.