One of my friends sent me the country’s budget 2026, and while I did not want to look at it, Claude did. Thank you, my friend.

This is a column for those interested to know that we hand GOA FIVE million florin every day by means of various taxes, to spend as it deems fit.

This is excluding AZV, AOV and SvB charges collected from us, for us.

In fact, we are being bled dry, and the amount of taxes is chocking growth and affecting our wellness. GOA consumes about 23% of our GDP, says my source, excluding AZV. If you include what GOA collects for AZV, we reach close to SEVEN million florins. See chart!

That takes us to 30% of GDP.

The average Caribbean government expenditure, according to OECD, is 21.9%.

Aruba weighs about 50% heavier than other islands, while we should be lean and prudent, and invest carefully, and wisely, manage our properties, and protect our assets.

As you know, we are failures in money management.

Why is the island so expensive? Because GOA collects.

And we have not added the BILLIONS necessary to catch up on all the technical debt, in infrastructure maintenance, stuff GOA choses to postpone, or ignore.

This week, 24ora mentioned main street Oranjestad neglected, the paint on MFA Santa Curz is faded, the catholic cemetery in Oranjestad is in a deplorable state, the Pier at Rodgers Beach collapsing. The drivers’ license office is falling apart, the MFAs need renovations and the one in San Nicolas, budgeted 10 years ago and never built, is said to begin construction, soon. Maybe.

All that cost must be added as accounts payable.

This will get more critical as tourism income subsides, and the base cost of living increases, making fixed costs weigh even heavier on us.

I am not done….

We are not accounting for the services of defense, justice and foreign affairs born by the kingdom, if we took that into consideration the burden would be MUCH higher.

The true cost of running Aruba is close to half of our GDP.

The worst part is little investment, just 2%, whereas the World Bank recommends 15-20% of government’s revenue to be the minimum consistent with maintaining and growing an economy’s positive capacity.

At the rate of our actual income now, the roads should be paved with gold.

Below, what Claude said about the budget:

The draft budget projects revenues of Afl. 1,882,686,000 and expenditures of Afl. 1,755,484,000, with direct tax revenues estimated at Afl. 641,600,000 for 2026.

The draft budget shows a surplus of 159 million florins, equivalent to 2.1% of GDP. Surpluses of more than 1% of GDP are also projected for 2027–2030, meaning the AVP-FUTURO government meets the norms imposed by the Netherlands.

Debt Reduction

Aruba closed 2025 with a significant budget surplus and is ahead of schedule on its debt reduction path. The financing surplus of the collective sector came in at 3.9% of GDP for 2025, well above the 1% norm. In 2026, Aruba again budgets a surplus of 2.6% of GDP for the collective sector. Government debt is projected to fall to 56% of GDP in 2026 and further to 47% in 2028.

Pensions & Social Spending

A key pressure point in the budget is the pension supplement (reparatietoeslag) for AOV retirees, which is being raised again by 150 florins per month per pensioner as of January 1, 2026. This increases transfer expenditures by 23 million florins compared to the draft budget, and by 82 million florins compared to 2025. The CAft (financial supervisory body) estimates the structural impact of these increases is now at least 140 million florins per year and warns this will grow further due to an aging population.

The CAft also notes that the supplement is currently paid to all pensioners regardless of income and recommends that an income test be applied to improve targeting and cost control.

Low Investment Despite Strong Finances

A striking concern is the incredibly low level of public investment: only 7 million florins is earmarked for investments in the final budget, down from 50 million in the draft. The CAft notes that available budget room is being used mainly for debt repayment and structural policy measures, but not for investments. A multi-year investment agenda is also absent.

Interest Costs

Interest payments remain a significant burden — in 2026, 16 cents of every florin of government income goes toward debt servicing. This share is projected to remain roughly the same through 2030 and depends on international interest rates and Aruba’s creditworthiness.

HOFA: New Kingdom Law on Sustainable Finances

A major development alongside the budget is the proposed Consensusrijkswet HOFA (Kingdom Act on Sustainable Public Finances for Aruba), which passed a key milestone in March 2026. Once in force, this law will allow Aruba to borrow from the Netherlands at favorable rates, and the Netherlands has agreed to help refinance part of Aruba’s loans on the American capital market.

Bottom Line

Aruba’s 2026 budget is financially solid — surpluses are strong, and debt is falling faster than planned — but structural risks are growing due to rising pension costs and persistently low public investment.

The 5th anniversary of Radisson Blu Aruba

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/the-5th-anniversary-of-radisson-blu-aruba/

How GOA Benefits from the Fuel Increases

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/how-goa-benefits-from-the-fuel-increases/

Pile of Junk, written with the help of a reader.

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/pile-of-junk-written-with-the-help-of-a-reader/

How GOA benefits even more from Increases

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/how-goa-benefits-even-more-from-increases/

Collected Moments at the Biblioteca Nacional

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/collected-moments-at-the-biblioteca-nacional/

The Jazz Trip, at Caribbean Bar, San Nicolas

https://batibleki.wheninaruba.com/the-jazz-trip-at-caribbean-bar-san-nicolas/

We ordinarily just stop at the Caribbean Bar on J’ouvert Morning for a beer and a tinkle, but this time the bar was dressed up with red string lights, and flickering candles as it transformed into a dark, cozy, underground jazz club.

The Jazz Trip, with Ali Hector in its 35th edition is back, after a long pause. The rhythmic energy of jazz was brought back to San Nicolas by guitarist Serghio Jansen, jazz vocalist Syreeta Grace, bass player Roy Croes and percussionist/drummer Jeremy Bonarriba.

We understand that Caribbean Bar will host monthly gatherings, from now on, where guests get a chance to unwind and listen to Aruba’s jazz greats alongside exciting up-and-coming musicians.

For the 35th edition, guitarist Serghio Jansen led two sets of iconic songs from the 40s and 50s. Vocalist Syreeta, while new to me is not new to Aruba. She has deep roots on the island. He mom comes from San Nicolas, and she even went to school with Serghio’s father – now the kids play together says Ivan, a well-known classical jazz guitarist himself.

Syreeta’s voice is sweet, soulful. Her performance is emotionally packed, but restrained and warm. Her song selection is slow tempo-ed, relaxed, and romantic.

Serghio, Roy and Jeremy take turns at playing solos. I asked Jeremy how many drum sets he destroys each year, and he said none, in fact the set he was playing on, producing fireworks, belonged to his father. He did admit breaking drumsticks, quite often!

We arrived at 7:30pm, got seated, ordered a drink, the music started at 8pm. Caribbean Bar had a wide selection of wines, beer, and cocktails, and they accepted both cash and debit cards.

A delicious surprise? The food, delivered in attractive boxes by Moi, of Moi Sandwiches, a gourmet sandwich truck coming soon into Santa Cruz. I ordered the Serio Krillin, slow cooked pork ribs, serio barbecue sauce, pickled onions, spicy mayo, onion crunch, on a buttery brioche bun. The crispy chicken, creamy garlic sauce, Parmesan, fresh lettuce, and pickles, on a buttery brioche bun was also very tasty.

I went to SN before for several Jazz Trip helpings. The first one brought me to the New Pueblito Paisa, where a combo of musicians with Serghio Jansen, Reno Steba and Richard Holmond entertained over dinner. Then the Jazz Trip moved into the Astoria hotel patio, with Gwen Croes welcoming us at the gate making sure we had a fun time over snacks, chased by cocktails. Vocalist Watra was the featured singer, with guitarist Kit and drummer Pierre Koolman, on the Valentine’s Day edition.

This time at the Caribbean Bar, it felt like a real night club, I will be back.

The gallery at the public library is a popular spot hosting events of interest to the community among them lectures, art exhibits, book launches — the place is a hub of culture.

On Thursday, Collected Moments, an art show opened with an enthusiastic, supportive audience in attendance.

The art show, by a group of hobbyists, Love4Art Studio, is worth a visit. This local creative group practices art at leisure, once a week, congregating at Checkpoint Color, and spending a few hours of inspiration, together.

They have no teacher, they use each other for support and guidance when stuck, and they spend the hours painting. I imagine they also have a drink or two for added stimulation. They paint and develop their own skills — they are part of a grassroot art movement in Aruba.

Checkpoint Color is a friendly locale with excellent photography on the walls and a retro vibe, in Oranjestad.

The hobbyists in the show Alice Dorff, Ann Angela, Diana Hopman, Dina Legger, Frea Snijders, Genevieve Wientjes, Jacob de Greff, Marianne Beijderwellen, Roelie Groenewegen and Sandra Wijngaarde.

Some of the artists already participated in community shows, Faces of Art, in 2024 and Primary Colors, in 2022, Expressions, same year. Their colorful, imaginative canvases are all different, there is no theme, these are all individual expressions in acrylic, mixed media, and collage.

Local artist Elvis Tromp dropped in for a class, and in his footsteps, the show presents several charming Aruba landscapes inspired by the unique, idealistic style of the teacher.

Alice Dorff painted a sweet innocent girl, young, the perfect kid we all want — the child is in meditation. The painting shows great understanding of light and shadow, and the picture is very realistic. I know Alice well — she is a woman with a great heart and the goodness shows in her paintings.

Ann Angela, we all know Ann Angela. She has over the years become a powerful expressive painter, she presents portraits of Frida Kahlo and Grace Jones among others, interpreting their powerful personalities in a dramatic, impressive style. Her Betico Croes is an elder statesman. Not a revolutionary. Her Vermeer, Woman with Pearl Earrings, romantic.

Diana Hopman has been doing collages for a lifetime. She cut out nautical charts, discarded by the Tranquillo captain, salvaged by a mate into a tempting, oversize Caribbean beachscape. Diana’s work is perfect, nicely finished and always super-appealing.

Dina Legger, the mother of Steph, proves that inspiration comes at all age, and that art belongs to everyone. Her bird id quirky and fun.

Frea Snijders delivers architectural drawings, evoking urban landscapes. I think I recognized the Hilton Aruba Caribbean in one of her works, she is a minimal colorist and uses black & white as colors.

Genevieve Weintjes painted a sixties Janis Joplin with the hair on the forehead and the oversize round glasses, vibrant and colorful, she also showed a fantasy, a flat chested gender-ambiguous dancer with feathers. She is a strong colorist.

Jacob de Greff delivered a trio of canvases, studying the same towering vertical walls at different hours of the day. He started with a photograph, then added birds to one and clouds, and a sunset to the others. The study highlights how the same place looks totally different, inspiring an alternative mood, projecting a changed character.

Marianne Beijderwellen is a prolific artist, she showed nine canvases, all incredibly colorful and captivating. She deconstructs her subjects, investigating their parts, and one or two of her works, reminded me of the work of similar modernistic, deconstructionists. Marianne is a self-assure painter, a colorist, she can carry a show on her own.

Roelie Groenewegen, a kind of surrealist and Sandra Wijngaarde, a versatile experienced artist, wrap up the show. I remember Sandra’s work from an expo in 2019, Journey. It has been a long time.

From April 2 to June 30, 2026, Garage Centraal is offering customers something beyond the keys to a new car — a chance to step into a moment of elegance and confidence.

Eligible female customers who purchase and take delivery of a new vehicle during the promotional period will be automatically entered into a monthly raffle to win an exclusive Flying Dress Experience.

This experience combines a stunning location, a flowing gala dress, professional hair and makeup, and a fully produced photo and video shoot. It’s designed to capture a powerful moment — celebrating not just a new vehicle, but a new chapter.

Three winners will be selected in total — one at the end of each month (April, May, and June 2026). To qualify, the purchased vehicle must be delivered within the same month as the raffle entry. Entries are valid only for that specific month and do not carry over.

Each winner will receive:

The experience will be scheduled by Garage Centraal and its partners, with the location and timing determined based on availability and weather conditions. The prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash or other services.

By participating, entrants agree to allow Garage Centraal to use photos and videos from the experience for promotional purposes.

Winners will be contacted directly and must respond within five calendar days to claim their prize. If no response is received, an alternate winner may be selected.

Garage Centraal reserves the right to modify or cancel the promotion if necessary. Full terms and conditions apply.

A new car is a milestone. This experience turns it into a memory worth capturing.