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local Tuesday 25 November 2025
Meet Aruba’s biggest hero, Boy Ecury

bombings of Rotterdam
first-hand, he decided to
join the resistance. At the
same time, he was still
studying and living with
family in Tilburg. It was there
where he met people who
printed and distributed the
rebellion newspaper. This
would be the first of three
rebellion group that he
would join throughout his
4-year service to the resis-
tance.
Boy’s primary task as mem-
ber of the group was to dis-
tract the German soldiers
while others ran into hiding
into alleyways. This he was
able to do because of his
skin color and confronting
demeanor. Boy also partici-
pated in the multiple sabo-
taging operations against
the German military oc- tions regardless. names of his comrades.
cupying The Netherlands. In 1944, after his friend Luis Famously, he told his cell
(Oranjestad)—As part of lands by his father when he These included bombings de Lannoy, a fellow rebel mate: “I will die with a smile
the Kingdom of the Nether- was 15 years old to contin- on German military trucks from Curacao, was ar- on my face.”
lands and due to its strate- ue his studies abroad. This and trains. The group also rested and executed, he On November 6th, 1944,
gic geolocation, Aruba was was in 1937, three years be- helped people go into hid- moved to Delft, where he Ecury was executed. He
unexpectedly involved in fore WWII broke out. ing, as well as opened fire joined his third and last was only 22 years old.
the Second World War. As During the war, he actively against allies of the Nazi re- group in Rotterdam. During Ecury was buried with mili-
is known around the globe, participated in the rebel- gime. In these operations, this time, he wrote a good- tary honor. In 1949, the Aru-
this chapter in world history lion in The Netherlands Boy really stood out for his bye letter for his family, pos- ban Government erected
is one of the most tragic against the Nazi regime, cold bloodedness. sibly knowing the risks of a monumental bust of him
yet, and many soldiers and but his rebellious streak and In 1943, he received a no- him being active again in in front of what is now the
rebels have died on the constant drive to fight for tice to be placed for work the big cities. linear park trail, and in 1984
front line during this time. justice began even before in Germany. This he re- Eventually, he proved him- he received the Resistance
the war broke out. Being a fused, of course, and went self right. On November Memorial Cross postmor-
One of those rebels who person of color with a Hai- into hiding using multiple 5th, 1944, Boy Ecury was tem.
have fought against the tian heritage living in The addresses in multiple cities. arrested by German sol- Boy’s life motto was this: “In
Nazi regime, was an Aru- Netherlands made him vul- Because he was a wanted diers. He was placed in my father’s house, there is
ban named Segundo Jorge nerable to discrimination, man, he of course could the “Oranjehotel” prison in no place for a traitor.”q
Adelberto “Boy” Ecury. and this inspired him to be not continue to be active Scheveningen, The Hague,
Source: “De Kolibrie op de
Born in Aruba on April 23rd, an activist, to stand up and as a rebel. However, stub- where he was questioned. Rots (en meer over the ge-
1922, Boy spent his child- fight against discrimination born and naturally rebel- Despite being sold out by schiedenis van Aruba)” by
hood on the island, before and oppression. lious as he was, he always an acquaintance, he him- Evert Bongers.
being sent to The Nether- After seeing the horrific tried to join in on the opera- self never gave away the

Fun facts about the ‘Lisinbein’

The ‘Lisinbein’ (Scolopendra gigan- It controls populations of smaller newly hatched young. She stays velopmental stages. It’s a fascinat-
tea), also known as the Giant Cen- invertebrates and even small ver- coiled around the clutch, protect- ing adaptation because it shows a
tipede, is one of the largest centi- tebrates, ensuring that no species ing it from predators and fungi, form of care that resembles more
pedes in the world and is found in overpopulates, which could dis- which are serious risks in the moist complex behaviors observed in
Aruba. Its size and hunting prowess rupt local biodiversity. environments these centipedes of- vertebrates.
make it a fascinating, if often mis- Its presence can indicate a ten inhabit. The mother maintains
understood, creature. healthy, functioning ecosystem. Its a clean environment for the eggs No bark, but all bite!
sensitivity to environmental chang- by carefully grooming them, which The lisinbein is known locally for
Despite its fearsome reputation, it es makes it a bioindicator of eco- helps prevent fungal growth that having a really painful sting. While
plays a crucial ecological role that logical balance. could endanger the brood. This venomous, the Lisinbein is gener-
often goes unnoticed. It can reach an impressive length behavior may continue until the ally not aggressive toward humans
of up to 30 centimeters (approx. young centipedes have under- unless provoked. Its role as a guard-
As an apex invertebrate preda- 12 inches) and live for around 5 gone their first molt, making them ian of balance in the ecosystem
tor, Scolopendra gigantea helps to 10 years in the wild. Its size and more capable of independent sur- helps protect the natural beauty of
maintain balance in the ecosys- longevity makes it a significant and vival. Aruba by keeping the ecosystem
tem. Moreover, they themselves long-term part of the ecosystem. in harmony.
are a food source for birds such as This form of parental care is benefi-
the Crested Caracara (Warawara) A mother’s love cial in increasing the survival rates Editor’s note: Information and pic-
and the Aruba burrowing owl (Sho- In Scolopendra species, the ‘moth- of offspring, as the mother’s pro- tures provided by Ms. Natasha
co). er’ typically exhibits maternal care tection provides a safe ‘environ- Silva from the Aruba Conservation
by curling around her eggs and ment’ during their vulnerable de- Foundation.q