On the morning of Tuesday, October 8th, before the first rays of sunlight appeared, judicial authorities conducted a raid at the residence of former Minister Glenbert Croes in Bubali. Supported by various departments, the operation was carried out with near-perfect silence but quickly attracted the attention of neighbors. Soon after, it was confirmed that the action was linked to the ongoing “Portulaca Case,” an investigation related to the issuance of residence and work permits, which has been under scrutiny for months.

By midday, the Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the raid was part of a deeper investigation into this high-profile case, with Croes officially named a suspect. Although few details were initially available, the involvement of the Landsrecherche and the Dutch Caribbean Special Police Task Force (RST) made it clear that the former minister was a central figure in the operation.

Following his detention, Glenbert Croes was transferred to the RST section at the Marinierskazerne in Savaneta, where he underwent interrogation. In a press release, the Public Prosecutor emphasized that the case was unrelated to the island’s recent electoral process. However, Croes’ arrest immediately sent shockwaves through the political landscape, as the former minister was a prominent figure in the ruling MEP party.

Later that afternoon, Croes submitted his official resignation as Minister, complying with existing laws requiring ministers under criminal investigation to step down. Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes, who had been abroad at the time of the raid, returned to Aruba and confirmed the acceptance of Croes’ resignation, effectively removing him from his position in the demissionary Wever-Croes II Cabinet.

Croes’ arrest and resignation have dealt a major blow to the MEP party, which had been campaigning in preparation for upcoming elections. Glenbert Croes, one of the top vote-getters in the 2021 elections, secured 1,919 personal votes and was considered a key figure in the party’s leadership. His resignation leaves a significant void for MEP, as the party scrambles to recover from this unexpected setback just weeks before the election.

The “Portulaca Case” continues to unfold, and the full extent of the allegations against Croes remains unclear. However, his removal from office and the ongoing investigation have already had a profound impact on Aruba’s political scene.