WILLEMSTAD – After almost four decades in politics, Curaçaoan politician Anthony Godett has announced that he is stepping down. The veteran statesman revealed that he will not be running in the next parliamentary elections, effectively bringing an end to his long political career.
Godett’s political journey began in the 1980s, when he served as a Member of Parliament for the Netherlands Antilles. He later held the position of commissioner for the Island Territory of Curaçao. His rise to national prominence came in 2002, when he became the party leader of the Frente Obrero Liberashon (FOL). Under his leadership, the FOL won the 2003 elections on Curaçao.
However, despite that victory, Godett was unable to assume the role of Prime Minister due to pending charges of corruption and fraud. Instead, Ben Komproe was appointed to the post, followed shortly thereafter by Godett’s sister, Mirna Louisa-Godett, who became Prime Minister amid widespread belief that Anthony Godett remained a powerful influence behind the scenes.
In recent years, Godett was active in the Curaçao Parliament as a member of Kòrsou Esun Mihó (KEM), a political party founded in December 2019 by Michelangelo Martines. In the 2021 elections, Godett ran as the party’s second candidate. KEM won a single seat in Parliament, which was initially held by Martines.
Godett made his return to the legislature in November 2024, after Martines was forced to vacate his seat following his arrest on suspicion of drug trafficking and money laundering.
Although Godett has not disclosed any concrete plans for his post-political life, he did say that he remains available to offer advice to KEM and possibly to others.
With his departure, an era in Curaçaoan politics comes to a close—marking the end of a career that spanned transformative decades for the island, filled with both political triumphs and controversy.