Betico Croes Day in Aruba Date in the current year: January 25, 2024

Gilberto François “Betico” Croes was born on January 25, 1938. He was a young and ambitious politician when he became the leader of the political party People’s Electoral Movement. In 1976, he was responsible for the seal, flag and anthem of Aruba (the latter was co-written by Pady Del Caribe and Rufo Wever). In 1977, Croes organized a referendum regarding the independence of Aruba. Most of the voters voted in favor of independence.

Aruba gained its autonomy from the Netherlands Antilles on January 1, 1986 and officially became a country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It was given the full independence from the Netherlands only in 1996.

Croes died in a car accident in 1986. After his death he was proclaimed Libertador di Aruba, “liberator of Aruba”. His birth anniversary was declared an official holiday to honor the great Aruban politician.