Former Minister Silvania had previously warned about widespread misconduct; new evidence points to unauthorized interventions by Tax Receiver Alfonso de Jesus Trona
WILLEMSTAD - New internal documents have surfaced revealing structural irregularities within Curaçao’s tax collection system, centering on Landsontvanger (Tax Receiver) Alfonso de Jesus Trona. The revelations come after former Minister of Finance Javier Silvania (MFK) had already raised alarms about serious problems in tax enforcement.
According to internal memos and email correspondence, the Ministry of Finance had received repeated reports since 2022 about “personal interventions” by the Tax Receiver in cases involving payment arrangements and tax refunds. The ministry subsequently instructed the SOAB (Government Audit Bureau) to investigate the allegations.
Four audit reports later confirmed that Trona had exceeded his official authority, but despite these findings, the Council of Ministers took no corrective action.
Millions in unpaid tax debts
The irregularities do not appear to be isolated incidents. In addition to the previously reported Florida Express NV case, several other companies were found to have received favorable or unauthorized tax arrangements, or to have escaped collection altogether.
Among them is C-Post, which reportedly has 3.8 million guilders in unpaid tax assessments. Since March 2024, the company has also failed to remit motor vehicle taxes, retaining an additional 3.7 million guilders internally.
Although C-Post was “restructured under conditions,” it has not made payments since. Finance Ministry staff were even instructed to approach Minister of Traffic, Transportation and Urban Planning Charles Cooper to secure payments, but no concrete action followed.
Similarly, bus company ABC, which had been granted a debt restructuring to enable a restart, failed to meet its obligations thereafter.
Tax exemption linked to Trona’s spouse’s business
The documents also reference several small businesses, including a company reportedly owned by Trona’s wife. According to the files, the small eatery (snèk) has not paid taxes for more than ten years, with no enforcement measures ever taken. The SOAB audit reports did not provide details on this specific case.
Tax collection overall was described as inconsistent and poorly supervised. Team leaders mentioned conducting “spot checks” and “internal risk analyses,” but acknowledged that not all tax collectors followed established rules, and that uniform application of procedures was lacking.
Trona and his deputy, Mr. Rosaria, were responsible for ensuring compliance, but no structural measures were implemented to address the deficiencies.
According to the reports, some companies—including those linked to government entities—operated for years without making required payments, while others continued functioning thanks to personal interventions, even when facing seizure or closure.
Parliament failed to act
The SOAB findings were forwarded to Parliament in March 2024, but no debate or follow-up action took place. Former Minister Silvania formally requested that the Council of Ministers dismiss Trona, but the proposal was never approved.
Silvania eventually resigned last week, following months of internal tension and public controversy surrounding the ministry’s handling of the tax system.
The documents underlying this report are not part of the official SOAB audit files, but rather consist of internal communications between the Ministry of Finance and the Council of Ministers.
Nonetheless, they corroborate earlier reporting by the Dutch public broadcaster NOS, confirming a pattern of personal interference, preferential treatment of influential individuals, and weak government oversight in the collection of public revenues.
