WILLEMSTAD – The credibility of the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) was at risk due to the leadership of its former president, Emsley Tromp, according to a letter written by the finance ministers of both Curaçao and Sint Maarten in 2017. That letter, now resurfacing in a recent court ruling, reveals that ministers Kenneth Gijsbertha (Curaçao) and Richard Gibson (Sint Maarten) sought to remove Tromp from his position over ongoing criminal investigations at the time. 

Government’s 2017 Concerns Over Tromp’s Leadership 

The letter, dated September 2, 2017, warned that the situation within CBCS had become unsustainable, as Tromp—who had been at the helm for 26 years—was under criminal investigation. Despite the allegations being linked to personal financial misconduct, the ministers argued that his continued leadership was untenable. 

The letter, now referenced in a recent Curaçao court ruling, described how Tromp returned to work after nearly a year of absence without consultation and immediately overturned critical decisions made during his absence. The ministers stated that this demonstrated a lack of awareness of the dignity and responsibility of his position, as well as the serious harm his actions caused to CBCS, the financial sector, and the country. 

Court Orders Repayment of Misallocated Funds 

The Court of First Instance of Curaçao ruled this week that both Emsley Tromp and former CBCS co-director Jerry Hasselmeyer must repay significant sums that they had allocated to themselves or other board members. The ruling confirms suspicions that financial mismanagement occurred at the highest levels of the Central Bank. 

Despite past controversies, reports suggest that Tromp remains a key advisor to Finance Minister Javier Silvania (MFK)—a position that previously faced protests from coalition partner PNP. 

With the court ruling now public, questions arise about accountability, governance, and financial oversight at one of the region’s most critical financial institutions.