The Minister

The Minister

29 January 2025

There is an ongoing debate about the Minister of Finance’s criticism of the General Audit Chamber’s report on the 2023 annual accounts (Curaçao.nu, n.d.). In particular, the way in which he addresses this High Council of State. This is an attack on the pillars of the democratic rule of law. It stands in stark contrast to how he defends SOAB (NU.cw, 2026). This too undermines a key pillar of checks and balances. It is remarkable that a principal defends internal control. It suggests an overly close relationship, which puts the objectivity of oversight at risk.

In this context, a TikTok video of the minister has gone viral. It is a clip of what he says in parliament about his style of governing. Before we continue: I have known the minister for—don’t be shocked—almost forty years. And I can talk to him normally. In the Estates, he explains that he developed his governing style in practice. In cooperation with PAR he learned that civil service advice is decisive. In governing with FOL, that advice is merely advice. And that this latter approach has made him the most successful administrator who, from 2001 through 2026, has sat on the political “plush” almost continuously. He concludes by saying that he has seen many come and go.

This sounds like a funny explanation. But I wonder whether he learned nothing from MAN, where he started, and where among others Stanley Inderson was his mentor.

To me, this is also a confession: responsibility for Curaçao being “bruá” and economically among the weakest countries within the Kingdom. According to a CBS analysis, Curaçao’s GDP per capita is clearly lower than that of the other Caribbean parts of the Kingdom, and in fact the lowest together with Sint Maarten (CBS, 2025). That is an objective indicator of relative prosperity within the Kingdom.

Fortunately, some time ago he announced his retirement. Time for change. If only there were more emerging talent. But: no hard feelings, minister.

Miguel Goede

Sources (APA)

Curaçao.nu. (n.d.). Minister Cooper en de Rekenkamer: inhoudelijk conflict of aanval op toezicht? Retrieved January 29, 2026, from https://www.curacao.nu/nieuws/commentaar/85094/minister-cooper-en-de-rekenkamer-inhoudelijk-conflict-of-aanval-op-toezicht-

NU.cw. (2026, January 29). Budget SOAB stijgt door meer controles en hervormingsprojecten. https://nu.cw/2026/01/29/budget-soab-stijgt-door-meer-controles-en-hervormingsprojecten/

Statistics Netherlands (CBS). (2025, October 10). The Dutch Caribbean 15 years after the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles: Conclusion. https://www.cbs.nl/en-gb/longread/diversen/2025/the-dutch-caribbean-15-years-after-the-dissolution-of-the-netherlands-antilles/6-conclusion