WILLEMSTAD - In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas, Steven Croes from the opposition party PAR has raised serious concerns about the behavior of Minister Ruisandro Cijntje. The letter, dated July 11, 2024, outlines several incidents involving Minister Cijntje, which have recently been the subject of media attention and public discussion. 

Steven Croes cited multiple instances where Minister Cijntje allegedly mistreated a female security guard at a nightclub and harassed women at social events, such as Jump In during carnival. The most recent incident, according to Croes, took place at the Hak’e event in the VIP section, where Minister Cijntje allegedly assaulted a female employee. This led to the woman filing a formal complaint of mistreatment with the National Criminal Investigation Department. 

"This behavior not only causes displeasure but also leads to very serious accusations, with all the negative consequences this could bring for the integrity of the Ministerial institute and the government," Croes stated in his letter. 

For the PAR faction and the government of Curaçao, norms, values, and respect are crucial foundations for the community. The government must set a correct example, and the "exemplary function" should not be tarnished by Ministers who believe certain actions are permissible, Croes emphasized. 

Croes urgently requested Prime Minister Pisas to respond to the following questions: 

Can the Prime Minister guarantee to the people of Curaçao that he stands for the integrity of his cabinet in its entirety? 

Will the Prime Minister do everything possible to safeguard the integrity of his cabinet, considering the formal accusation against Minister Cijntje? 

How will Mr. Pisas ensure that questionable and disgraceful behaviors, like those of Minister Cijntje and other Ministers who have been accused in the past, do not occur again? 

Is the Prime Minister willing to assume his responsibility as the leader of the cabinet and make the necessary decisions to facilitate the investigation process and ensure that there is no interference from the Minister in question in his role? 

"Given the seriousness of this matter, we urge the Prime Minister to provide a response as soon as possible, as the people of Curaçao are extremely concerned and outraged by this serious accusation," Croes concluded.