Curaçao MP Silvania fears for his life as tax corruption dispute deepens, demands government protection

WILLEMSTAD--Curaçao Member of Parliament and former Minister of Finance Javier Silvania has renewed his demand for personal security protection, claiming that his efforts to expose alleged corruption within the country's tax collection administration have placed him at risk of retaliation from individuals with significant political, financial and criminal connections.

In a letter dated November 8, 2026, Silvania informed Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas, Minister of Justice Shalten Hato and President of Parliament Fergino Brownbill that he would hold them responsible if he were physically attacked or killed after being denied the protection he believes is necessary.

His latest appeal comes amid an increasingly contentious dispute involving Curaçao's suspended Tax Collector Alfonso Trona, allegations of preferential treatment for influential taxpayers and government audit reports examining irregularities in the administration of tax debts and refunds.

Silvania's concerns stem from investigations he initiated while serving as Minister of Finance into the handling of tax collection and allegations that certain individuals received favorable treatment outside established procedures.

The controversy centers partly on documents that have become known publicly as Lachi di Trona, or Trona's Drawer, referring to files involving taxpayers who allegedly benefited from special arrangements or interventions by the Tax Collector's Office.

According to Silvania, the individuals implicated include current and former politicians, trade union leaders, senior civil servants, directors of government-owned companies and businesspeople.

He further alleges that some have connections to organized crime, raising concerns that his efforts to expose the arrangements could provoke retaliation.

Among those allegedly benefiting from preferential tax treatment, Silvania claims, is an individual convicted in connection with the assassination of a politician. Although he did not identify the person in his latest letter, Curaçao media have linked the allegation to former Finance Minister George Jamaloodin, who was convicted in connection with the murder of politician Helmin Wiels.

These allegations concerning preferential tax treatment and possible retaliation have not been established as criminal findings against everyone mentioned in the documents.

During his tenure as Finance Minister, Silvania instructed the government auditing foundation Stichting Overheidsaccountantsbureau (SOAB) to examine compliance with tax collection regulations and investigate an employee's integrity complaint.

According to Silvania, the investigations produced six reports examining practices within the Tax Collector's Office.

Several reports identified weaknesses involving internal controls, documentation and the handling of individual tax cases.

Among the findings were instances where payment arrangements were reportedly approved without adequate supporting documentation, tax assessments were reduced without sufficient explanation and established administrative procedures were not consistently followed.

More recent investigations also examined the handling of tax-related advances involving Trona personally and the treatment of politically connected taxpayers.

Silvania maintains that bringing these matters into public view has placed him in conflict with individuals whose interests could be affected by further scrutiny.

Trona, however, has disputed allegations against him and challenged aspects of the SOAB investigations. Through his legal representative, he has questioned whether he was given sufficient access to records and an adequate opportunity to respond.

Trona has also made allegations against Silvania concerning political interference in tax-related decisions, demonstrating that the dispute involves competing claims that remain subject to investigation.

Silvania's November letter follows an earlier request for protection submitted to Justice Minister Hato on February 12, 2026.

At that time, he requested three bodyguards during the Carnival period and one personal security officer afterward.

According to WhatsApp correspondence accompanying his latest letter, Hato responded that he would ask the responsible committee to arrange a threat assessment. The Minister also advised Silvania to file a police complaint if he had received specific threats.

Silvania maintains that the request has not resulted in the assignment of personal security personnel.

It remains unclear whether a formal threat assessment was completed or whether the authorities have determined that protective measures are warranted.

Silvania also referred to social media reports suggesting that Trona had received police protection, although those reports have not been independently confirmed.

The dispute between Silvania and Trona became public in October 2025 following the circulation of an audio recording of a heated confrontation between the two men.

The incident contributed to Silvania's departure as Finance Minister and his subsequent move into Parliament, where he continued raising questions about government administration and alleged financial irregularities.

The Public Prosecutor's Office subsequently launched an investigation into the confrontation and the accusations exchanged.

The controversy has also generated tensions within the tax administration. Public-sector union ABVO recently expressed concern that the continuing conflict and public accusations were affecting employees, including reports of confrontations with members of the public.

Despite these developments, Silvania maintains that he will continue his parliamentary work, including visiting neighborhoods and pursuing questions surrounding alleged corruption.

His latest letter places the responsibility for assessing his security concerns before the country's political and parliamentary leadership.

Whether his allegations justify personal protection remains a matter for the competent security authorities to determine. His warning that government leaders would be responsible if he were harmed represents his stated position and does not establish their legal liability.

No official decision on his renewed request for protection had been confirmed at the time of the latest reports.

‍