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LOCAL Saturday 1 November 2025

U.S., Aruba Sign New Preclearance Agreement

ORANJESTAD – U.S. Customs nership through increased
and Border Protection (CBP) travel and an improved pas-
signed a new Preclearance senger experience.”
agreement with Aruba, en- Preclearance operations
hancing security which will started in Aruba in 1996,
in turn modernize travel be- making it one of 15 loca-
tween the two countries. tions in six countries offering
Preclearance, along with
The signing took place Oct. The Bahamas, Bermuda,
24 during a ceremony near Canada, Ireland, and the
the Queen Beatrix Interna- United Arab Emirates. The
tional Airport in Oranjestad. program enables CBP of-
The new agreement was ficers to perform the same
signed by CBP Office of Field immigration, customs, and
Operations (OFO) Executive agriculture enforcement
Assistant Commissioner Diane typically done upon arrival
J. Sabatino and Prime Min- in the United States before
ister of Aruba Michiel ‘Mike’ international travelers depart
Eman, and replaces the 1994 both nations,” said The Right collaboration that transcend sistant Commissioner for Field from certain foreign airports,
Preclearance agreement, Hon. Mike Eman, Prime Min- borders. It is this shared ideal Operations Diane J. Sabatino identifying threats to the U.S.
which pre-dates the forma- ister of Aruba. “At the heart that makes partnerships like said during the ceremony. before arrival.
tion of the U.S. Department of this cooperation lies the today’s possible.” “Today signifies an impor- This reaffirmation between
of Homeland Security (DHS) shared pursuit of happiness “This agreement advances tant milestone in our close the countries builds upon
and CBP. “The agreement — the pursuit of the common our mutual security coop- partnership as we establish a robust relationship, with
is an achievement for both good — which is the under- eration and commemorates a modernized framework for opportunities for enhanced
countries, further strength- lying force that brings our nearly 30 years of Preclear- Preclearance border security border security cooperation
ening our relations, secu- peoples together to create ance operations in Aruba,” operations, enhancing our of mutual benefit to both
rity, and ease of access for opportunities and forms of CBP’s Acting Executive As- comprehensive security part- nations.q

Why You Should Not Miss Aruba’s Free City Center Street Car Tour

(Oranjestad)—Aruba’s City Center pedestrian mall. The double-deck-
Street Car – or as we call it in Dutch; er offers you a 360 degree view of
“Tram van Oranjestad’ – is a single the down town area with a picture
track tram line in Oranjestad, the perfect scenery of the island’s clear
capital city of Aruba. It was inaugu- blue skies. Who would not enjoy a
rated on 22 December 2012, being ride on this beautiful and naturally
the first and so far the only passenger air-conditioned vehicle? The tour
rail service on Aruba and the rest of consists of a total of 9 stops approxi-
the Dutch Caribbean. There are two mately 200 meters apart from each
trolleys, a single-deck one with 42 other; all stops are clearly marked.
seats and a double-decker with 64 The tram will bring you close to dif-
seats. The line was inspired by the ferent museums, historical plazas,
popular battery-powered streetcar monuments, the Protestant church,
operation at the Grove in Los An- Aruba’s high- end mall, retail shops,
geles, USA. Aruba’s streetcars are and a variety of local and interna-
powered by hydrogen fuel cells, tional cuisine restaurants. The “I love
which are charged by the island’s Aruba” trademark also belongs to intervals of 25minutes. The last trol-
year-round trade winds. that list. The third stop on the route The “Tram van Oranjestad” starts ley departs from the cruise port at
is close to a 5-minute walk to the from a balloon loop near the Port 5:00 pm. Don’t miss this tour of the
Caya Betico Croes, mostly referred famous Renaissance Marina show- of Call and serves the downtown beautiful Aruba’s City Center – it is
to as our “main street” has been casing luxurious yachts and Aruba’s area and ends at Plaza Nicky. The free for all!q
developed into a pollution-free blue waters. first ride starts at 10:00 am sharp with