WILLEMSTAD – Landsontvanger (Tax Receiver) Alfonso Trona appeared before the court on Monday seeking clarification about the investigation that has kept him away from his position since October 2025. The case was handled behind closed doors by the court’s chambers, according to local reports.
Trona is seeking answers about the nature of the investigation, the allegations or concerns involved, the authority conducting the inquiry and when a final decision can be expected. His absence from the Landsontvanger’s office has now lasted approximately ten months.
The exact legal status of Trona’s absence remains unclear. It has not been publicly confirmed whether he has been suspended, placed on leave or temporarily relieved of his duties. A formal decision regarding his position has also not been made public.
A temporary replacement was appointed shortly after Trona stopped working, but authorities have provided limited information about the circumstances surrounding his departure.
The court proceedings are not expected to focus on the substance of any allegations against Trona, but rather on the uncertainty surrounding his position and the length of time the investigation has remained unresolved.
The situation follows a public dispute between Trona and former Minister of Finance Javier Silvania in October 2025. A leaked recording of an internal meeting revealed a heated exchange between the two, during which Silvania accused Trona of corruption. Trona rejected the accusation and stated that he had documents that would show who had actually acted improperly.
Shortly afterward, Trona claimed that an internal review conducted by the Internal Audit Department (IAD) was being used to investigate his private life. He described the inquiry as unjustified and accused Silvania of intimidation. No official mandate for an IAD investigation has been published.
It also remains unclear whether the Public Prosecutor’s Office or the National Detectives (Landsrecherche) are conducting a criminal investigation into Trona.
Previous audits by the government accountant SOAB had already raised questions about procedures within the Tax Receiver’s Office. Four reports examined the handling of payment arrangements, tax seizures and advance payments of tax refunds. According to those audits, several files lacked written justification, clear criteria and sufficient internal controls.
Silvania previously called for Trona’s dismissal based on these findings, but the proposal did not receive sufficient support from the Council of Ministers.
Trona has consistently rejected the criticism, stating that he acted within his authority as Landsontvanger and that his department had repeatedly exceeded government targets for tax collection.
Silvania resigned as Minister of Finance on October 15, 2025, and later returned as a Member of Parliament. Trona remained formally in his position as Landsontvanger, although he was replaced in daily operations.
The court’s decision on Trona’s request could provide more clarity on the status of the investigation and the next steps in the case.