WILLEMSTAD - In a strongly worded press conference on Tuesday, Quincy Girigorie, leader of the opposition party PAR, said that the ongoing conflict between Finance Minister Javier Silvania and the head of the Tax Receiver’s Office, Alfonso de Jesús Trona, is far more than a personal clash. According to Girigorie, the situation “strikes at the heart of Curaçao’s democratic integrity” and demands immediate action from both the Public Prosecutor’s Office (OM) and Parliament.
“This Goes Beyond an Insult”
Girigorie opened his statement by clarifying that PAR’s position is not about demanding Silvania’s resignation for insulting a civil servant. “Everyone knows this minister has a history of verbally abusing professionals,” he said. “But this time, it’s different — the issue is about the integrity of our democracy.”
The opposition leader pointed out that for the first time, a senior government official — the Receiver of Taxes — has publicly declared that if the Public Prosecutor speaks with the Minister of Finance, “that minister cannot remain in office.” Girigorie described this as an unprecedented moment in Curaçao’s political history.
“This means the highest financial official in the country is claiming to have evidence of criminal acts by a sitting minister,” he said. “That is a grave matter that goes far beyond a simple insult.”
A History of Abuse and Intimidation
Girigorie presented what he called a pattern of intimidation and humiliation by Minister Silvania, listing several past incidents. These included the resignation of two police officers assigned to his security detail in 2022 after claiming they could no longer tolerate his behavior, as well as his public insult of former Prime Minister Maria Liberia-Peters, and clashes with high-ranking officials in the Finance Ministry.
He also mentioned the resignation of several Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) directors and specialists, who, according to him, left due to the minister’s behavior.
“This has become his modus operandi — humiliating and terrorizing professionals who refuse to bend to his will,” Girigorie said. “The public sector is no longer impartial. People are afraid of him.”
Call for Action from the Public Prosecutor
Girigorie demanded that the Public Prosecutor’s Office immediately summon Receiver Trona to give testimony regarding his public statements.
“The Receiver does not need permission to report criminal acts he is aware of,” he said. “If the Public Prosecutor has not already called him in to testify, then something is seriously wrong in this country.”
Girigorie criticized the OM for remaining silent on numerous corruption cases, including those involving CPR, ENNIA, and illegal tax exemptions flagged by the General Audit Chamber.
“Justice must not only be done, it must also be seen to be done,” he said. “If the OM fails to act, our democracy will collapse from within.”
No Political Cover for Silvania
The PAR leader also took aim at the executive board of the ruling MFK party, which issued a statement asking the public to give it time to handle the issue internally. Girigorie called this position “anti-democratic and dangerous.”
“The MFK board is not the Public Prosecutor or the Parliament,” he said. “It has no authority to investigate criminal allegations against a minister. This must be handled publicly and transparently, not behind closed doors.”
He warned that allowing the ruling party to control the narrative could turn the matter into “another silent burial of the truth.”
Parliament Must Step Up
Girigorie urged the President of Parliament to convene an urgent session to discuss the matter, emphasizing that Parliament — not a political party — represents the people.
He also called on the Minister of Public Administration (BPD) to grant Trona official authorization (dispensashon) to testify freely before Parliament. “If Silvania truly stands for transparency, let Trona speak,” he said. “Give him permission to defend himself and share what he knows.”
Silvania’s Media Strategy Under Fire
Girigorie accused Silvania of manipulating public opinion through emotional videos and social media. “He’s trying to portray himself as a martyr — the ‘defender of the people,’” he said. “But it’s political theater designed to distract from the real issues.”
He dismissed Silvania’s recent statements about defending pensioners and fighting tax evasion as “media stunts,” pointing out that the minister had years to raise AOV pensions but failed to do so.
“Silvania is not a martyr for the people,” Girigorie said. “He is a politician exploiting the emotions of the people to stay in power — and he destroys anyone who does not serve his political interests.”
A Defining Moment for Curaçao
Girigorie concluded his address with a warning: the integrity of Curaçao’s democracy is now being tested.
“The future of our democracy lies in the hands of the Public Prosecutor and the President of Parliament,” he said. “Let us see if our institutions are truly alive — or if Silvania’s dominance has already silenced them.”
The controversy surrounding Minister Silvania’s conduct — and the explosive allegations raised by Receiver Trona — has ignited one of the most serious political crises in recent years. As the nation watches, Curaçao’s institutions now face a defining test: whether they can uphold accountability, transparency, and the rule of law in the face of mounting political pressure.
