who was an opponent of Aruban autonomy, installed his coalition without consulting the MEP. Croes announced demonstrations and a boycott of Curaçaoan products. On 11 August 1977, a general strike shut down the island during which the riot police made multiple charges. On 18 August, the union leaders were arrested and the strike ended, however Prime Minister Joop den Uyl of the Netherlands started a dialogue, because the situation had spun out of control. In February 1981, at the Round Table Conference, Croes formally set Aruba's Independence for 1991, however the Round Table Conference of 1983, resulted in a proposed new Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands in which Aruba would have a Status aparte making it a constituent country within the Kingdom in 1986, and possible independence in 1996. On 24 April 1983, Croes was shot in the stomach by police officer Libier. Libier was transferred to Bonaire in June, In November, the Public Prosecution Service decided not to charge him, because there was no proof that he had aimed at Croes. In July 1985 the charter, as agreed in March 1983, in Aruba's Decolonization and Independence Agreement, was unanimously approved by the island council of Aruba, however the PPA boycotted the vote. The Status aparte would take effect on 1 January 1986. In the 1980s Croes recommended that Aruba should target tourism in order to diversify the economy, since it depended mainly on the refinery. He was also responsible for major projects for the people of Aruba, like the housing company FCCA, and the transportation company Arubus, 1985 elections and death In November 1985, the MEP lost the election, and Henny Eman of the Aruban People's Party (AVP) would become the first Prime Minister of Aruba. On 31 December 1985 Croes was in a traffic accident, and lapsed in a coma. Croes died on 26 November 1986 in a reactivation and nursing centre in Utrecht, Netherlands. His remains where flown to Aruba for burial. An estimated 40,000 people attended his funeral (Aruba had an estimated 65,000 inhabitants in 1985). A famous quote from him is "Si mi cai na caminda, gara e bandera y sigui cu e lucha" (If I fall down along the way, grab the flag and continue the battle). Personal life Croes had four children: two sons—Glenbert Croes and Gilberto Junior Croes and two daughters—Glendeline Croes and Guisette Croes. Both of Croes' sons served