Gilberto "Betico" Croes - Kralendijk, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 12° 08.933 W 068° 16.549
19P E 578792 N 1343121
A monument honoring the father of the the nation of Aruba, Betico Croes, is located in downtown Kralendijk, Bonaire at the intersection of Kaya Gilberto F. Croes and Kaya Grandi.
Waymark Code: WMXWXQ
Location: Bonaire, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
Date Posted: 03/10/2018
Views: 8
A plaza in downtown Kralendijk contains a large monument to th leading proponent of Aruba's independence - Betico Croes. The plaza has three steps leading up to the Croes monument and a curved wall which contains his name BETICO CROES. The plaza is painted blue and yellow, the colors of the Aruban flag.
The monument has a life size bronze bust depicting only the head of a bearded Croes looking straight ahead. The simulated the Aruba flag with a four pointed red star above two yellow stripes against a blue field. Between the star and the stripes is a marble plaque which is inscribed:
Sr. Gilberto "Betico" Croes
(q.e.p.d.)
E. Liberador Arubano
Nasé: 25-1-1938
Fayesé: 26-11-1986
Gilberto "Betico" Croes
(q.e.p.d.) = que en paz descanse Spanish for rest in peace
The Liberator of Aruba
Born: 25-1-1938
Died: 26-11-1986
Gilberto François "Betico" Croes was born on January 25, 1938. He became a school teacher and a charismatic political activist as leader of the People's Electoral Movement political party. He was responsible for the referendum held in March 1977, on the topic of Aruba's independence in which 83% of the votes were in favor of independence. He is credited with Aruba obtaining separate status from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 which led to Aruba’s independence from the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1996.
Betico Croes died as a result of car accident on November 26, 1986. He was 48 years old. January 25, the birthday of Betico Croes, is celebrated as a is a public holiday in Aruba.