WILLEMSTAD – Member of Parliament Ruisandro Cijntje (PNP) is demanding answers from Minister of VVRP Charles Cooper after government authorities forcibly removed the long-standing tourist business Eric’s ATV Adventures from its location in Bapor Kibra. In a sharply worded letter, Cijntje states he is “deeply concerned” about the way the eviction was executed and questions whether the government acted fairly and proportionately.
According to Cijntje, the ministry — “with a heavy hand” — cleared the business from the premises despite the company operating there for more than 20 years under what he describes as a government-tolerated arrangement. He argues that after such a long period of tolerated use, taking drastic action only two months and fourteen days after receiving a court verdict authorizing “administrative enforcement” raises serious questions.
Cijntje, a former police district commander, stressed that while laws must be upheld, enforcement must always be equal and proportionate. “Equal monks, equal hoods,” he wrote, adding that government has a duty to support local entrepreneurs and address compliance issues in a careful and consistent manner.
He notes that Eric’s ATV Adventures is a locally owned business that has contributed to the tourism sector for two decades at the same location. If the government had truly wanted to find a solution, Cijntje believes “it would have happened.”
The MP explains that the land in question is reportedly intended for the construction of an alternative road to Jan Thiel. He now wants the minister to clarify when construction of that road will actually begin.
Cijntje submitted a series of formal parliamentary questions to Cooper, including whether government attempted to offer the business an alternative location and, if so, where. He also asked whether the ministry considered the commercial impact of conducting the eviction on a day when three cruise ships were in port, leaving tourists who purchased ATV tour tickets stranded without service.
He pressed the minister to quantify the potential reputational damage to Curaçao’s tourism industry and to disclose how many businesses have been shut down for lacking proper permits in the past five years. Cijntje also questioned whether there are other cases of illegal land occupation in the tourism sector — including at Klein Curaçao, where Cooper himself has previously said that unauthorized constructions are damaging turtle nesting areas — and whether the same enforcement actions will be taken there.
Additionally, Cijntje asked the minister to confirm reports that an investor has applied to build a tourist accommodation on land directly behind the former ATV business site and, if so, what type of development is planned.
The MP concluded by asking whether “fair play” was practiced in this case — specifically whether the business was given adequate time to remove its structures following the court ruling of 17 September 2025, and whether Parliament received formal notification of the timeframe given to the operator.
Cijntje states that, on behalf of the voters he represents, the public deserves transparency about how and why this enforcement action unfolded, particularly given its timing, economic impact, and the questions of equal treatment it raises.