Aruban Minister Booshi Wever Suing Diario, Freedom of the Press, Not in Aruba

In Aruba, words are more offensive than individuals actions …

It appears that once again an Aruban political official is suing Jossy Mansur and Diario for of defamation. Minister Candelario (Booshi) Wever is suing Diario claiming that his reputation was tarnished by statements made in Diario. So much for freedom of the press or free speech.

The minister says that ‘desgraciado’ is one of the worst insults in Papiamento.  That word is translated as ‘unhappy’ in the Diccionario Avanza of Jossy M. Mansur (also director of Diario), but in the normal linguistic usage, the meaning is much stronger and very offensive.  The article also insinuates that the minister is the owner of a brothel in Venezuela and that Wever’s days are numbered and that he will feel the Colombian Community breathing down his neck.  That is actually the reason why the minister instituted the lawsuit to demand a rectification from Diario.  

Is it any wonder why Aruban officials could not cope with the American press during the Natalee Holloway disappearance and investigation? These people are more worried about what is said about them than the actual facts that transpire during a story. Its not always the politicians, but the people themselves. Was there anything more heinous than Beth Holloway, the mother of missing Natalee Holloway having to apolgize to the Kalpoe’s for comments made when all signs pointed to the fact that they were some how involved at took part with her daughters disappearance.

Booshi Wever wants to see his name cleared (Amigoe: 5/10/2008)

ORANJESTAD — Minister Candelario (Booshi) Wever claimed damages in a lawsuit yesterday.  He did this because he says that his reputation is tarnished with the statements in an article in Diario.  He was called a desgraciado in that article that was published on April 15.   

The minister says that ‘desgraciado’ is one of the worst insults in Papiamento.  That word is translated as ‘unhappy’ in the Diccionario Avanza of Jossy M. Mansur (also director of Diario), but in the normal linguistic usage, the meaning is much stronger and very offensive.  The article also insinuates that the minister is the owner of a brothel in Venezuela and that Wever’s days are numbered and that he will feel the Colombian Community breathing down his neck.  That is actually the reason why the minister instituted the lawsuit to demand a rectification from Diario.  

Apart from a rectification, Wever’s lawyer Anthony Ruiz of lawyers’ firm Croes, Tschong, and Wever demanded a penalty of 100.000 florins imposed on a daily basis in case of non-compliance, and 50.000 florins in damages.

Reason for the article is a nasty incident around the performance of the famous Colombian singer Alci Acosta in Aruba, which didn’t take place due to a provisional work permit that was denied.  Lawyer Milko Baiz of lawyers’ firm Gomez and Bikker told the judge that an Aruban radio station organized a spontaneous action afterwards to honour Acosta with a plaquette to express the Aruban Community’s appreciation for Acosta as artist.

Acosta did come to Aruba on the days of the concert, but not as an artist, but a tourist.  After he was presented with the plaquette in the presence of the public, he thanked the people by singing a few songs.  When he wanted to leave the next day, immigration refused to give him permission to leave Aruba.  He was forced to stay two more days in Aruba.  Baiz says the article must be considered as the anger expressed by the public.  “The Immigration Service confirmed to Diario on thapologizee phone that the order to keep Acosta longer in Aruba came from Minister Wever, which caused the sharp words in the article, but according to my client, whatever the paper said is part of the freedom of press.”

Wever denied in court yesterday that he had anything to do with the forced extended stay of Acosta.  He explained that the Immigration Service can take such measures in case of irregularities during a stay.  The performance of Acosta without a permit was investigated during the two days that the artist was forced to stay on the island.  The judge gives verdict on May 28.