Aruba
More information about Aruba is available from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.
U.S.-ARUBA RELATIONS
Aruba has semi-autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It conducts foreign affairs, including with the United States, through the Netherlands, whose embassies and consulates issue visas for travel to the island.
Tourism is the mainstay of Aruba's economy. Approximately 1.5 million tourists per year visit Aruba, with nearly 60% of those from the United States. In 2011, the U.S. accounted for more than 8.5% of Aruba's exports and more than 47% of Aruba's imports by value.
The U.S. Consulate General in Curacao is responsible for the day-to-day management of relations with the Dutch Caribbean, which includes Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten. Due to the strategic location of the Dutch Caribbean for the United States, the consulate deals with issues such as securing U.S. borders, countering terrorism, and fighting international crime, especially narcotics trafficking and human trafficking. The consulate provides a variety of services to U.S. citizens; it also can issue non-immigrant visas for certain travelers to the U.S. who wish to visit, work, or study for a temporary period.
The consulate was opened in 1793. It was one of the earliest U.S. consulates, reflecting the importance of Caribbean trade to the new United States. The Consul General resides in the historic Roosevelt House, which was the local government's gift of property to the United States in 1950 as an expression of gratitude for U.S. protection during World War II.
The Consul General in Curacao is Valerie Belon; other principal officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.
The Netherlands' embassy in the U.S. is at 4200 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C .20008; tel: 877-388-2443; fax: 202-362-3430.
More information about Aruba is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Aruba Page
U.S. Consulate General: Curacao
Human Rights Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
Travel and Business Information