Gilberto François "Betico" Croes (; 25 January 1938 – 26 November 1986) was an Aruban political activist who was a proponent for Aruba's separation from the Netherlands Antilles. This eventually occurred in 1986, but following a car accident on 31 December 1985 (the night of status aparte), Croes lapsed into a coma and never became conscious to see his accomplishment. He is best remembered as "Libertador" (liberator) and as father of the Aruban people. Biography and career Croes was born on 25 January 1938 in Santa Cruz. After finishing high school, he studied in the Netherlands at the Teachers' Training College in Hilversum, and received his headmasters certificate in 1959. In 1967, Croes first participated in the island council of Aruba as a member of the Aruban People's Party (AVP), and was elected. He resigned in July 1970 after the AVP had decided not give a seat to the UNA. In February 1971, Croes founded the political party People's Electoral Movement (Movimiento Electoral di Pueblo), and was elected to the island council. In 1973, the MEP won 5 of the 8 seats for Aruba in the Estates of the Netherlands Antilles. In 1976 he was the person responsible for the Seal, Flag and National Anthem of the island of Aruba. It was co-written by renowned Padu Del Caribe (Padu Lampe), and Rufo Wever, who also composed the anthem. Background In 1954, the Netherlands Antilles became a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and was given self government. Aruba is the second most populous island, however Curaçao is the largest and most populous island. Aruba had 8 seats in the Estates of the Netherlands Antilles, Curaçao had 12 seats, Bonaire had one seat, and Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten shared a single seat. The Capital of the Netherlands Antilles was Willemstad, Curaçao. Struggle for independence In 1977, Croes organised a referendum regarding Aruba's independence. The Aruban Patriotic Party (PPA) announced a boycott of the referendum, and the Government of the Netherlands Antilles declared the referendum illegal, and announced, prior to the referendum, that it was not willing to accept the results. In the March 1977 referendum, 95% of the voters were in favour of independence. In June 1977, Boy Rozendal of the Democratic Party of Curaçao won a clear victory in the elections in the Netherlands Antilles. No formateur was assigned to create a new cabinet instead Rozendal,