San Nicolas Investment Push: The Government introduced new tax incentives to spur property owners and businesses to redevelop and renovate in San Nicolas, with support available for two years and major projects flagged for areas like the Post Office zone, Carnival Village, and the former refinery site. Parliament Demands Waste-Contract Clarity: PPA MP Eduard Pieters escalated his fight over an Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA)-financed waste management contract, sending a formal letter to the Council of Ministers and insisting the legal basis and tender steps be documented; meanwhile parliamentarians Evelyna Wever-Croes and Rocco Tjon filed a petition under the Open Government ordinance seeking full access to ATA-government correspondence, RFPs, proposals, and legal advice. Underwater Heritage Protection: Aruba is starting a new phase of protecting its underwater cultural heritage through an international research collaboration, with surveys planned along the coastline in late August into September. Earthquake Response for Arubans in Colombia: Aruba’s Crisis Management Office is tracking Aruban citizens after a strong earthquake in Colombia, urging Dutch nationals to register with consular services. Ombudsman Goes Neighborhood-by-Neighborhood: The Ombudsman launched “Ombudsman in the neighborhood” to make complaints easier, with scheduled visits across Aruba’s ministries and AEDA San Nicolas. Business Permits Update: DEZHI reported 242 permits for new businesses in the first half of 2026, showing continued private-sector diversification. Prison Drug Smuggling Allegation: Three people were arrested at KIA after an alleged attempt to smuggle marijuana into the prison via an ice delivery operation. LGBTQ+ Marriage Tourism: A travel guide highlights that same-sex marriage is legal in Aruba and frames the island as a wedding-and-honeymoon destination.