Due to the Natalee matter
More Arubans encountering difficulties to conduct business abroad
DIARIO Aruba
11/18/2005

ORANJESTAD (AAN): As DIARIO presented last month, the ‘anti-Aruban’ sentiment continues to grow in the U.S. We showed how in Miami and Las Vegas, there was very ugly treatment against Arubans who are traveling for vacation or for business.

More and more Arubans are starting to identify themselves as “Bonerians” or “Curasoleños” when visiting an American city, because they don’t want to lose time discussing the matter.

DIARIO showed how some persons were not able to get assistance at a store because they said that they were from Aruba. It has also happened that citizens who pay with their credit cards, when showing a piece of ID or passport, and the cashiers, upon seeing that they are from Aruba, refuse to process the transaction.

The Prime Minister of Aruba has gotten details about this from Aruban students who are coming across problems.

There is confirmation of similar cases that are happening not only in America, but also with Aruban merchants traveling to Panama and also in Hong Kong.

One of those in the U.S. who are helping in the boycott, Joe Mammana, even said that he will find any way to force American shipping companies from sending merchandise to Aruba.

This week it became known that an American distributor decided to stop its years-long business relationship in Aruba, as a protest of the manner in which the government handled the matter of Natalee Holloway.

It seems as if the whole world is of the opinion that the government of Aruba, as well as the Justice system of Aruba is good for nothing. They want a change to take place, otherwise this ‘anti-Aruba movement’ will continue.

A repeat visitor to Aruba explained recently in an email, that he went to his travel agent to purchase his vacation ticket for next year, and encountered an anti-Aruban attitude at the agency. They didn’t want to sell the travel ticket either and he had to leave the place and look for another travel agency to purchase it.

This repeat visitor indicated that they have a timeshare, and they like Aruba very much and will continue to come to the island no matter what. However, they ask for the government of Aruba to do something about the investigation because what has been done does not seem right. He hopes that something happens soon in Aruba to show the whole world what the island is doing, otherwise it'll get worse.

[translated by Getagrip]