Tourism & Spending: Aruba’s cruise market stays strong: the Aruba Tourism Authority reports 81% of cruise passengers say Aruba’s inclusion drove their booking, up from 78% in 2024, and average on-island spend hit about $197 per person in 2025. Stayover Performance: Aruba also logged 143,343 stayover visitors in June 2026 (912,256 visitor nights; 6.4 nights average), with North America the biggest source market (73.6%). Food Supply & Trade: Aruba is exploring importing more fresh fruit and vegetables directly from Peru after talks between PM Mike Eman and Peru’s agricultural producers’ group, with demand flagged for items like blueberries and grapes. Regional Economy Watch: Aruba ranks slightly above Curaçao in a Caribbean economic resilience index, scoring 13.84 vs 13.39, with stronger public finances and better import coverage cited. Governance & Waste: MPs renewed pressure on government waste management, criticizing the lack of a structural plan and raising questions about transparency around an ATA contract tied to a Barcadera waste project. Security & Fraud Alerts: FIU-Aruba warns residents about task-based online job scams that lure victims via messaging apps, then demand deposits to “unlock” earnings. Cross-border Debate: Venezuela’s consul says reopening the air border would benefit the relationship, while Aruba’s side continues evaluating timing and conditions.