WASHINGTON, D.C.:--- On the margins of the swearing-in ceremony of Suriname’s former Foreign Affairs Minister, Albert Ramdin, as the new Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), a high-level meeting was held to advance the cause of Bonaire’s right to self-determination.
James Finies, leader of Pueblo Progresivo Uni, and Davika Bissessar Shaw, President of the Bonaire Human Rights Organization, engaged in a strategic dialogue with Jorge García Córdova, Vice President of the Permanent Conference of Political Parties of Latin America and the Caribbean (COPPPAL), joined by Fausto Liz, COPPPAL Vice President for the Caribbean Region.
COPPPAL, founded in 1979 in Mexico, is a key regional forum representing 73 progressive political parties from 30 countries. Its core mission includes addressing decolonization, promoting social justice, real democratization, fair distribution of natural resources, and fostering unity among Latin American and Caribbean nations.
The Washington meeting focused on the democratic deficit and concerns regarding human rights in Bonaire, particularly after the imposition of the Dutch constitutional structure in 2010 and the de facto annexation through integration without the consent of the population, who overwhelmingly rejected the imposed status in the 2015 referendum. The delegation emphasized the urgent need for regional and international solidarity to support the people of Bonaire in their struggle for equality and a just future.
Vice President García Córdova reaffirmed COPPPAL’s strong commitment to the principles of self-determination and regional justice. He highlighted COPPPAL’s historic role in supporting self-determination movements across the Caribbean, including its long-standing support for Betico Croes, a founding member of COPPPAL and the father of Aruba’s Status Aparte movement, prior to his untimely death under mysterious circumstances after a car accident.
In a further show of solidarity, COPPPAL established a local branch in Bonaire in 2023, in partnership with the Bonaire Human Rights Organization and James Finies leader of Pueblo Progresivo Uni.
The late Rudy Croes, brother of Betico Croes, played a significant role in connecting the Bonaire movement with COPPPAL. Before his passing in 2022, Rudy voiced strong concerns in a recorded video about the direction of political leadership in Bonaire and expressed full support for James Finies.
He shared his sorrow that the Caribbean bore some responsibility for allowing events in Bonaire to unfold as they did. He lamented that essentially one individual, Ramonsito Booi, had been allowed to determine the future of the island. He further criticized the Dutch government for abusing their power over the people of Bonaire.
Rudy Croes praised the significant step taken by James Finies—whom he supported unconditionally— to go to the United Nations to request Bonaire's return to the list of non-self-governing territories.
As a powerful act of protest, Rudy Croes returned his Medal of Orange-Nassau following the controversial and allegedly politically motivated unlawful arrest of James Finies on Bonaire Day, September 6, 2018.
COPPPAL made additional commitments that are poised to mark a historic turning point in the coming months. This meeting in Washington represents a significant step in strengthening international alliances and reinforcing the call for decolonization, justice, and dignity for the people of Bonaire.
