Ciro Kroon
{{Short description|Curaçao politician and businessman}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Ciro Kroon
| image = File:Ciro Domenico Kroon.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Kroon (1963)
| office1 = Minister of Economic Affairs, Sports and Culture
| term_start1 = 20 November 1973
| term_end1 = 14 October 1977
| office2 = Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles
| term_start2 = 15 February 1968
| term_end2 = June 1969
| monarch2 = Queen Juliana
| predecessor2 = Efraïn Jonckheer
| successor2 = {{ill|Gerald Sprockel|nl}} a.i.
| office3 = Minister of Social and Economic Affairs
| term_start3 = November 1957
| term_end3 = 14 February 1968
| birth_name = Ciro Domenico Kroon
| birth_date = {{birth date|1916|1|31|df=y}}
| birth_place = Curaçao
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|2001|6|9|1916|1|31}}
| death_place = Curaçao
| nationality =
| other_names =
| occupation = politician and businessman
| party = Democratic Party of Curaçao (1944–1970)
Movimento pa adelanto Social Antiyano (1970–)
| years_active =
| known_for =
| notable_works =
| spouse =
}}
Ciro Domenico Kroon (31 January 1916 – 9 June 2001) was an Curaçao politician and businessman. He served as Minister of Social and Economic Affairs from 1957 until 1968, and Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles from 1968 until 1969. The 1969 Curaçao uprising caused the collapse of his government.
Biography
Kroon was born on 31 January 1916 in Curaçao. After finishing high school, he worked in trade.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=ciro+kroon+1916&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:010461505:mpeg21:a0081&resultsidentifier=ddd:010461505:mpeg21:a0081&rowid=4 |title=Ministers in Cabinet Evertsz |website=Amigoe di Curacao |date=13 December 1973 |access-date=14 February 2022|language=nl}} In 1942, he joined the civil service in the Department of Social and Economic Affairs. In 1944, he was one of the founders of the Democratic Party of Curaçao.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=ciro+kroon+1916&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:010470101:mpeg21:a0107&resultsidentifier=ddd:010470101:mpeg21:a0107&rowid=3 |title=Kroon, Ciro D. |website=Amigoe di Curacao |date=3 March 1971 |language=nl |access-date=14 February 2022}} In 1945, he was a candidate for the Estates of Curaçao and Dependencies,{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Ciro+Kroon&coll=ddd&page=1&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=1%7C20e_eeuw%7C1940-1949%7C&identifier=MMKB23:001615091:mpeg21:p00003&resultsidentifier=MMKB23:001615091:mpeg21:a00020&rowid=5 |title=De candidaten van de Democratische Partij |website=De West |date=6 August 1945 |access-date=14 February 2022 |language=nl |quote=De West notes that at least 5 of the 8 candidates including Kroon are Freemasons}} but did not get elected.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Kroon&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1940-1949%7C1945%7C&facets%5Bspatial%5D%5B%5D=Nederlandse+Antillen&page=2&coll=ddd&identifier=KBDDD02:000210753:mpeg21:a0001&resultsidentifier=KBDDD02:000210753:mpeg21:a0001&rowid=9 |title=Curaçao |website=Amigoe di Curacao |date=6 November 1945 |access-date=14 February 2022|language=nl}}
In 1949, Kroon was elected to the Estates.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Ciro+Kroon&coll=ddd&page=3&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=1%7C20e_eeuw%7C1940-1949%7C&identifier=KBDDD02:000211854:mpeg21:a0001&resultsidentifier=KBDDD02:000211854:mpeg21:a0001&rowid=6 |title=Het nieuwe statencollege |website=Amigoe di Curacao |date=18 March 1949 |language=nl|access-date=14 February 2022}} On 16 June 1951, he became a member of the island council of Curaçao, and served until 1957. In 1956, he first served as acting Lieutenant governor of Curaçao. In November 1957, he was appointed Minister of Social and Economic Affairs.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=ciro+kroon+1916&coll=ddd&identifier=KBDDD02:000211221:mpeg21:a0008&resultsidentifier=KBDDD02:000211221:mpeg21:a0008&rowid=1 |title=Kroon lid van de ministerraad |website=Amigoe di Curacao |date=7 November 1957 |access-date=14 February 2022 |language=nl}}
Prime minister
In January 1968, prime minister Efraïn Jonckheer announced his intention to retire from active politics, and named Kroon as his successor.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Kroon+Premier&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1960-1969%7C1968%7C&page=2&coll=ddd&sortfield=date&identifier=ABCDDD:010835361:mpeg21:a0355&resultsidentifier=ABCDDD:010835361:mpeg21:a0355&rowid=9 |title=Jonchkheer neemt ontslag als premier van de Antillen |website=Het Parool |date=26 January 1968 |access-date=14 February 2022 |language=nl}} On 15 February, Kroon became Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles. The same day, he wanted to drive to the airport to say goodbye to Jonckheer, however he was involved in a traffic accident with a bus, and was hospitalised with a concussion.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Kroon+Premier&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1960-1969%7C1968%7C&page=3&coll=ddd&sortfield=date&identifier=ddd:010643876:mpeg21:a0004&resultsidentifier=ddd:010643876:mpeg21:a0004&rowid=10 |title=Premier gewond bij aanrijding |website=Amigoe di Curacao|date=15 February 1968 |language=nl|access-date=14 February 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Kroon+Premier&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1960-1969%7C1968%7C&page=2&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:010643881:mpeg21:a0010&resultsidentifier=ddd:010643881:mpeg21:a0010&rowid=6 |title=Premier nog zes weken in het ziekenhuis |website=Amigoe di Curacao|date=21 February 1968|access-date=14 February 2022 |language=nl}}
{{main|1969 Curaçao uprising}}
On the outside, Curaçao appeared to be in great shape. It had one of the highest per capita incomes, a 99.5% literacy rate, a tourist friendly capital with luxury hotels and many duty-free shops,{{cite web|url=http://www.icwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/FJM-16.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220314/http://www.icwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/FJM-16.pdf |archive-date=2022-03-14 |url-status=live|title=Insurrection in the Dutch Antilles |author=Frank McDonald |website=Institute of Current World Affairs |date=1 September 1969}}{{cbignore}}{{rp|1–2}} however Royal Dutch Shell, the largest employer, had laid off 2,000 workers. About 20% of the population, mainly of African descent, was unemployed, and many were living in slums on the edge of Willemstad.{{rp|2}} On the other hand, the mainly Caucasian management was living in the segregated and gated villa wards of Julianadorp and Emmastad.{{cite book|url=https://dbnl.nl/tekst/ramd001pape01_01/ramd001pape01_01_0008.php?q=julianadorp#hl1 |title=De papegaai, de stier en de klimmende bougainvillea|author=Anil Ramdas|year=1992|page=120|location=Amsterdam|publisher=De Bezige Bij|isbn=90-234-3282-7}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nationaalarchief.cw/collectie/exposities/oliedorpen |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220314/https://www.nationaalarchief.cw/collectie/exposities/oliedorpen |archive-date=2022-03-14 |url-status=live|title=Oliedorpen |author=Diederik van Engelen |website=National Archive of Curaçao |date=14 February 2022|language=nl}}{{cbignore}}
File:Buildings destroyed, 1969 Curaçao uprising.png
Royal Dutch Shell announced using plumbers of subcontractor Werkspoor Caribbean (WESCAR), where the employees received significant lower wages. A strike was called for the end of May by the unions. On 30 May 1969, the strikers were joined by disgruntled personnel of Texas Instruments, and a march was organised to the centre of Willemstad which escalated in a riot where houses were set on fire, and shops were looted.{{cite web|url=https://canoncuracao.cw/30-dertig-mei-1969/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220314/https://canoncuracao.cw/30-dertig-mei-1969/ |archive-date=2022-03-14 |url-status=live|title=30. Dertig Mei 1969 |website=Canon of Curaçao|date=14 February 2022|language=nl}}{{cbignore}}{{rp|2–3}}
The police were unable to handle the situation, prime minister Kroon could not located, governor Cola Debrot was in New York, therefore, Ronchi Isa, Minister of Justice, called in the Netherlands Marine Corps.{{cite book|author=Gert Oostindie |title=Curaçao, Willemstad. De revolte van 30 mei 1969 |year=2005 |location=Amsterdam |publisher=Bert Bakker |language=nl |isbn=9789053563724}}{{rp|348}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1969/06/02/archives/premier-silent-as-rioters-in-curacao-insist-he-quit-premier-silent.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316083739/https://www.nytimes.com/1969/06/02/archives/premier-silent-as-rioters-in-curacao-insist-he-quit-premier-silent.html |archive-date=2018-03-16 |url-status=live|title=Premier Silent as Rioters In Curacao Insist He Quit; Premier Silent on Curacao Rioters' Ouster Demand |website=New York Times |date=2 June 1969 |access-date=15 February 2022 |url-access=limited}} The riot ended when it was announced that Shell and WESCAR had given into the demands, and the marines left on 6 June.{{rp|349}} The riot had resulted in two deaths, 69 wounded, 53 buildings were destroyed, and 190 looted. Damages were estimated at US$40 million.{{cite news|url=http://curacaochronicle.com/social/remembering-the-uprising-in-curacao-may-30-1969/ |title=Remembering the uprising in Curacao May 30, 1969 |website=Curaçao Chronicle |date=30 May 2014 |access-date=14 February 2022}} The government of the Netherlands Antilles announced its resignation,{{rp|2–3}} and an ad interim government was formed headed by {{ill|Gerald Sprockel|nl}} which would act as a place holder until the 1969 elections.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Sprockel&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1960-1969%7C1969%7C&page=1&coll=ddd&identifier=ABCDDD:010838452:mpeg21:a0219&resultsidentifier=ABCDDD:010838452:mpeg21:a0219&rowid=4 |title=Sprockel aanvaardt formatie-opdracht |website=Het Parool |date=25 June 1969 |language=nl |access-date=14 February 2022}} Ernesto Petronia was later elected as the first Prime Minister of African descent, however the Democratic Party would remain the largest party in the coalition.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Ernesto+Petronia&coll=ddd&page=1&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=1%7C20e_eeuw%7C1960-1969%7C&identifier=ddd:010957094:mpeg21:a0218&resultsidentifier=ddd:010957094:mpeg21:a0218&rowid=2 |title=Het Koninkrijk heeft twee nieuwe Premiers |website=Het vrije volk |date=11 December 1969 |language=nl |access-date=14 February 2022}}{{cite web|url=http://www.historiadiaruba.aw/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=51&Itemid=62 |title=Politieke partijen en verkiezingen |website=Historia di Aruba| access-date=14 February 2022 |language=nl}}
Later life
In July 1970, Kroon founded the party Movimento pa adelanto Social Antiyano (Movement for Antillian Social Advancement).{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Kroon+democratische+partij&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:011187268:mpeg21:a0045&resultsidentifier=ddd:011187268:mpeg21:a0045&rowid=9 |title=Ex-Premier Kroon right eigen partij op |website=Vrije Stem|date=28 July 1970|language=nl|access-date=14 February 2022}} In 1971, he was re-elected to the Estates. On 20 November 1973, he became Minister of Economic Affairs, Sports and Culture in the Evertsz cabinet,{{cite news |title=Ministers gaan en komen |url=https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=ddd:010461510:mpeg21:p003 |work=Amigoe di Curacao |date=20 December 1970 |access-date=14 February 2022|language=nl}} and served until 14 October 1977.{{cite news|title=Antilliaans parlement keurt regering Rozendal goed|url=http://www.digibron.nl/search/detail/012ea2a5b8cb268ccffd0b22/antilliaans-parlement-keurt-regering-rozendal-goed |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220314/http://www.digibron.nl/search/detail/012ea2a5b8cb268ccffd0b22/antilliaans-parlement-keurt-regering-rozendal-goed |archive-date=2022-03-14 |url-status=live| website=Reformatorisch Dagblad|date=14 October 1977| language=nl |access-date=14 February 2022}}{{cbignore}}
After retiring from politics, Kroon became president of the Curaçao branch of Mercantil Banco, and in December 1985, he was appointed formateur of a new government which resulted in the Don Martina government.{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Kroon+Banco+Mercantil&coll=ddd&identifier=KBNRC01:000030133:mpeg21:a0023&resultsidentifier=KBNRC01:000030133:mpeg21:a0023&rowid=8 |title=Oud-premier Kroon benoemd tot informateur op Antillen |website=NRC Handelsblad |date=4 December 1985|language=nl|access-date=14 February 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=don+martina+&coll=ddd&page=1&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1980-1989%7C1985%7C&sortfield=datedesc&identifier=KBNRC01:000030169:mpeg21:a0011&resultsidentifier=KBNRC01:000030169:mpeg21:a0011&rowid=1 |title=Don Martina premier van kabinet Antillen |website=NRC Handelblad |date=31 December 1985 |access-date=14 February 2022 |language=nl}}
Honours
- {{flag|Netherlands}} Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion{{cite web|url=https://www.openarch.nl/ghn:17a0152a-d2d8-11e8-828a-00505693001d |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220314/https://www.openarch.nl/ghn:17a0152a-d2d8-11e8-828a-00505693001d |archive-date=2022-03-14 |url-status=live|title=Decoration (in the year 1815–1993)|website=Open Archives |access-date=14 February 2022}}{{cbignore}}
- {{flag|Netherlands}} Commander of the Order of Orange-Nassau{{cite web|url=https://www.openarch.nl/ghn:17a0157a-d2d8-11e8-828a-00505693001d |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220314/https://www.openarch.nl/ghn:17a0157a-d2d8-11e8-828a-00505693001d |archive-date=2022-03-14 |url-status=live|title=Decoration (in the year 1815–1993)|website=Open Archives |access-date=14 February 2022}}{{cbignore}}
- {{flag|Venezuela}} Order of the Liberator
- {{flag|Colombia}} Order of San Carlos
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{Commons category|position=left}}
{{Prime Ministers of the Netherlands Antilles}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kroon, Ciro}}
Category:Prime ministers of the Netherlands Antilles
Category:Government ministers of the Netherlands Antilles
Category:Curaçao businesspeople
Category:Commanders of the Order of Orange-Nassau