KRALENDIJK – The political tensions within Bonaire's governing coalition continue to escalate as interim Union Patriotiko Boneiru (UPB) leader Jolinda Craane says she is considering filing a criminal complaint against Movementu di Pueblo Boneriano (MPB) faction leader Hennyson Thielman for alleged defamation, slander and misogynistic remarks.
Craane said Thielman made false statements about her in the media, including allegations that she had threatened civil servants.
"Thielman has made untrue statements about me in the media, for example claiming that I threatened government employees," Craane said. "He is portraying me in a negative light without any basis."
She confirmed that she has already been in contact with both the Public Prosecution Service (OM) and the police to determine whether Thielman's statements crossed legal boundaries.
"I want to know where the line is," Craane said, noting that municipal council members in the European Netherlands have previously faced consequences for inappropriate public statements. "I assume the same rules apply on Bonaire."
Craane said she approached the authorities without first asking Thielman to retract his remarks.
The possible legal action marks a further deterioration in relations between UPB and its coalition partner MPB.
The dispute began last week when UPB publicly called for Executive Council member Joselito Statia to step down. Statia, who has been in office for only three months, was nominated by MPB, and the demand reportedly came as a complete surprise to both him and his party.
The disagreement has exposed growing divisions within the coalition, raising questions about its stability.
While critics have accused UPB of engaging in "old-style power politics," Craane rejects that characterization and says she has instead become the target of a coordinated campaign.
"There is a trend of bullying female colleagues, slander and defamation," she said. "Everyone is participating, including the media. It is simply character assassination."
Craane argued that the attacks are particularly damaging at a time when she says she is working to address problems within Bonaire's public administration.
"It is very harmful to the island, especially when I am fighting hard to correct wrongdoing," she said.
Neither Thielman nor MPB had publicly responded to Craane's latest statements at the time of publication.