WILLEMSTAD - Before Martina became Minister, he was CEO at insurance company Guardian. He did not distance himself enough from his shares in the company while having a public function and this is against the law.

Steven Martina, the Minister of Economic Development on the island of Curaçao, unexpectedly resigned on Thursday. This because of a criminal investigation conducted by the Public Prosecution (OM). He announced this during a press conference.

Before Martina became Minister, he was CEO at the insurance company Guardian. The OM started this criminal investigation because, contrary to the rules, he would not have relinquished his shares in the company when he became Minister in 2017.

Martina denies having done something wrong but wants to give the space to the OM to do its job. This cannot be done while he remains a Minister.