Why did you choose to enter politics, and why did you initially join the AVP Party?

I always imagined that one day I would enter politics to be a voice for the people and defend those in need. However, my frustration grew when I returned to Aruba and saw so much that could be improved, realizing our people deserved better representation. In 2017, the AVP Party approached me. At that time, I still identified with the party’s ideology, despite some concerns. With the promise of a major shift to rejuvenate the party and my love for Aruba, I took the step earlier than I had anticipated to enter politics.

What type of politician do you aspire to be, and how will you achieve your goals?

I’ve always envisioned myself as a different kind of politician—someone with an educational approach, enabling people to participate more in the process. I aim to present my ideas in a way that everyone can understand. I focus on substance and avoid personal attacks. I dedicate time to studying and analyzing our island’s situation, international developments, and trends to anticipate global changes.
Listening and interacting with our people helps me understand local issues from different perspectives. This approach allows me to consider innovative solutions for the island’s challenges and study the opportunities each situation may bring. Engaging with our youth and community inspires me to continue serving and striving for social justice and a better future for everyone.

Many people feel you took too long to announce your departure from the AVP Party. Why the delay in your decision, and how is your relationship with your former colleagues?

I took about a month to announce my decision because, at the time of the incident involving former minister Briesen, which caused great turmoil within the party, I believed it could have been a pivotal moment for necessary change. However, that was not the case. With that realization, I decided to stand firm, withdraw from the party, and continue representing the people as they elected me to do.

Walk us through the process of conceptualizing your new party, from idea to execution. What were the biggest challenges?

After leaving the AVP Party, I took time to reflect on the next step in my career. At the same time, my family and supporters strongly expressed their desire for me not to participate in the upcoming election. Despite this, I decided, together with others, to establish a new organization. At the very least, this would ensure a platform for future elections while remaining open to analyzing the political developments and landscape.
We began organizing brainstorming sessions on various critical topics for Aruba, and by May 2024, we took the step to formalize and prepare the necessary structures for the party. The biggest challenge has been the lack of time—there are only 24 hours in a day, and that’s not enough for everything we want to accomplish. Still, we’ve made progress.

What sets your party apart from others, and how do you plan to convince the younger generation that you are truly ready to lead Aruba differently?

Looking around, very few parties remain that are not focused on defending past actions or attacking opponents. Instead, they should be working for the future of Aruba. We believe in sharing the reality of our country with our people, especially our youth. We value the voice, perspective, and ideas of every generation.
Solutions must address the needs and perspectives of all generations, always considering what a solution means in the long term. To achieve this, we must listen to and understand what younger generations prioritize and find desirable for the future.

What are the most unique and progressive ideologies you, as a young political leader, stand for?

Transparency, integrity, and dignified representation.

In your opinion, what are the most important topics for this election?

Finance (Kingdom Relations), cost of living, labor, education, housing, senior citizens, social participation, infrastructure, and social innovation.

Which parties are you willing to form a government with if the opportunity arises?

It’s too early to say, as the people hold the answer in their hands, not me. The people will decide the possibilities for governing our country. What is certain is that our values and the dignity of our people cannot be compromised in this process.

One of FUTURO’s values is unity, and another is transparency. For FUTURO, an inclusive present and future is the starting point, where the rights and dignity of everyone are paramount. Discussions about possibilities must take place with transparent intentions, maturity, and professionalism that our country deserves. The answer to this question lies with the people, based on how they exercise their voting rights on December 6.

In many countries worldwide, there’s a rule limiting how many terms someone can serve as a leader, such as in the U.S., where no one can run for a third term. Do you think Aruba should introduce a similar rule? Why or why not?

This could be a significant step to create space for new ideas and perspectives in politics. I am certainly open to considering it. The actual implementation of such a change would depend on a vote in Aruba’s Parliament.

What do you aim to achieve as a politician?

To make our people aware that they hold the power for change every day—whether on a personal, professional, or collective level. I aim to empower and inspire our people to take steps toward personal innovation, thereby bringing transformation to the human capital on our island.
Our island consists of extremely capable individuals across various sectors and areas, who can undoubtedly develop our country in a sustainable way. Our goal is for the people to regain trust in our rule of law, to feel properly represented, and for this to bring back stability and happiness for every citizen.

Besides education and experience, what do you think makes someone a successful professional?

Character and principles.

What is your message as a politician to the youth voting for the first time in this election?

Realize that your vote is your voice, your right, and your tool to design the Aruba you want to see. The Aruba we have today is the result of votes cast decades ago by previous generations.
Realize that exercising your right to vote will have an impact for decades and for future generations. The power for change in your future lies in your hands.