WILLEMSTAD – Employees of Curaçao's Tax Department held a meeting during working hours on Monday, November 9, amid growing concerns about their personal safety and deteriorating working conditions. The unrest follows an escalating public confrontation between MFK Member of Parliament and former Finance Minister Javier Silvania and Tax Collector Alfonso Trona over allegations of corruption and preferential treatment within the tax administration.
Civil servants' union ABVO has raised the alarm, warning that employees are increasingly becoming targets of public frustration over a political and administrative dispute in which they have played no role.
Curaçao Tax Department
Tax Department employees gathered during working hours to discuss tensions within the organization. Union representatives reported that staff members have experienced threats both at work and outside the workplace.
ABVO board member Raymond Margaritha indicated that the situation has become increasingly difficult for employees as accusations between Silvania and Trona continue circulating in the media and on social media.
Margaritha explained that tax officials regularly encounter dissatisfied members of the public who have been influenced by statements made during the dispute.
Some taxpayers reportedly approach employees demanding explanations or treatment similar to that allegedly granted to politically connected individuals in the past.
The union stresses that ordinary employees are not responsible for decisions concerning tax exemptions, advance payments, or special arrangements that may have been authorized by senior officials.
Instead, they are required to carry out their duties according to instructions and established administrative procedures.
ABVO is concerned that employees are being held personally responsible for allegations involving senior management and political figures.
The union also reports that tensions have spread within the organization itself.
According to Margaritha, disagreements and suspicions among colleagues have created additional friction, including speculation about which employees may have personal or professional connections with individuals involved in the controversy.
The atmosphere is reportedly affecting normal operations and increasing pressure on personnel who are already dealing with dissatisfied taxpayers.
The latest unrest follows renewed public accusations by Silvania concerning the management of tax collection and the alleged preferential treatment of influential individuals.
Silvania has been referring to findings from internal reports prepared by the government auditing organization Stichting Overheidsaccountantsbureau (SOAB).
The documents contain allegations that Trona authorized advance payments to himself, arranged favorable payment agreements for politicians, and granted preferential treatment to prominent individuals.
These matters remain allegations and findings requiring appropriate legal and investigative assessment. They should not be interpreted as established criminal guilt.
The dispute has its origins in October 2025, when an audio recording of a heated confrontation between Silvania, then Minister of Finance, and Trona became public.
During the confrontation, the two men accused each other of corrupt practices.
The controversy was followed by Silvania's resignation as finance minister and the initiation of criminal investigations into suspected irregularities.
The investigation, known as Operation Samos, involves the Recherche Samenwerkingsteam (RST), with the Public Prosecutor's Office also involved.
Questions about the administration of tax debts, preferential treatment, and the handling of public funds have continued to generate political controversy.
On November 4, local reporting highlighted documents showing that Trona had proposed a major administrative cleanup of older tax assessments in January 2023.
The documents indicated that Trona sought authorization from Silvania to discontinue active collection of certain older assessments, although the legality and consequences of the measure remain disputed.
The continuing exchange of accusations has placed the Tax Department under renewed public scrutiny.
ABVO believes Silvania's recent public statements have contributed to increased hostility toward tax employees.
The union is particularly concerned about messages encouraging citizens to visit the Tax Department to demand refunds before public funds are allegedly misused.
ABVO argues that such statements can increase pressure on frontline employees who have no authority over the decisions being challenged.
The union is therefore calling on the government and Tax Department management to intervene before the situation deteriorates further.
Margaritha wants employees to receive clear information about the ongoing investigations and the reasons investigators may request documents or question staff members.
He believes better internal communication could reduce uncertainty, speculation, and tension within the organization.
ABVO also wants management to ensure that employees can perform their duties without intimidation or threats.
The union intends to raise the matter again with Finance Minister Charles Cooper, who is responsible for the tax administration.
Representatives of another civil servants' union, STrAF, also attended Monday's information meeting.
The growing concerns come at a time when public confidence in the Tax Department is already under pressure because of allegations involving tax collection practices and the treatment of certain taxpayers.
For ordinary employees, the controversy has created a difficult situation in which they must continue serving the public while facing questions and criticism about decisions made at higher levels.
ABVO maintains that the investigation into possible wrongdoing must be allowed to proceed independently and that employees should not become victims of the political confrontation.
The union's immediate priority is restoring a safe and stable working environment while ensuring that the public can continue receiving essential tax services.
The developments also raise broader questions about how political disputes involving government institutions can affect public employees, particularly when accusations are repeatedly circulated through social media.
For now, ABVO is urging the government and Tax Department leadership to take concrete steps to protect personnel, improve communication, and prevent further disruption to the department's operations.