Bernadito M. "Ben" Leito (6 February 1923 – September 1996) was a Curaçaoan economist, politician and administrator. He served as Governor of the Netherlands Antilles from 1970 until 1983, and the Dutch Council of State from 1987 until 1993.
Ben Leito | |
|---|---|
 Leito (1970) | |
| Council of State | |
| In office 1 March 1987 – 6 February 1993 | |
| Governor of the Netherlands Antilles | |
| In office 16 June 1970 – 30 April 1983 | |
| Preceded by | Cola Debrot |
| Succeeded by | René Römer |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Bernadito M. Leito 6 February 1923 Curaçao |
| Died | September 1996 (aged 73) |
| Political party | Catholic People's Party |
| Occupation | economist, politician and administrator |
Biography edit
Leito was born on 6 February 1923 in Curaçao.[1] He went to the Netherlands to attend the Hogere Burgerschool (high school) in Leiden. In 1945, he studied economy at Tilburg University, and graduated in 1950.[2][3]
In 1952, Leito became a civil servant in Curaçao, and started to work for the finance department in 1953.[3] He was a candidate in the 1954 Netherlands Antilles general election for the Catholic People's Party, but did not get elected.[4] In 1961, he became head of finance for Curaçao, and was promoted head of finance for the Netherlands Antilles in 1965.[3] In 1968, he served as acting Lieutenant governor of Curaçao.[3]
The 1969 Curaçao uprising resulted in the resignation of the Cola Debrot as Governor of the Netherlands Antilles.[5] On 30 December 1969, Leito was appointed acting governor.[2] The States General of the Netherlands nominated Efraïn Jonckheer as new governor, however the Estates of the Netherlands Antilles rejected the nomination,[6] and Leito was installed as Governor of the Netherlands Antilles effective 16 June 1970.[1] Leito was the first Afro-Curaçaoan governor of the Antilles.[7]
In the early 1970s, the Dutch government under Joop den Uyl tried to persuade the Netherlands Antilles to seek independence. Leito was opposed to independence for the islands, and provided backing for the Isa-Beaujon and Evertsz cabinets in their denouncement.[8] In 1980, Leito applied to become a member of the Council of State, the advisory body for the Dutch government, however his application was rejected.[9] In March 1983, Leito resigned as governor effective 30 April.[10] On 1 March 1987, Leito was appointed to the Council of State, and served until 6 February 1993.[11][12]
Leito died in September 1996, at the age of 73.[13]
Honours edit
Netherlands Commander in the Order of the Netherlands Lion.[13]- Netherlands Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau.[13]
Venezuela Grand Cordon in the Order of the Liberator.[14]
Dominican Republic Grand Cross in the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella.[15]
References edit
- ^ a b "Drs. B.M. Leito volgt gouverneur Debrot op". Trouw (in Dutch). 2 June 1970. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
- ^ a b "Drs Leito gouverneur Antillen". De Telegraaf (in Dutch). 2 June 1970. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Waarnemend gezagvoeder de Haseth neemt ontslag". Amigoe di Curacao (in Dutch). 17 April 1968. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
- ^ "De Candidaten uitslag". Amigoe di Curacao (in Dutch). 16 November 1954. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
- ^ Hans Marijnissen (18 October 2016). "Aruba ligt overhoop met Plasterk over benoeming van gouverneur" (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 February 2022.
- ^ "Nederland acht benoeming Gouverneur conform Statuut". Noticia Cla. 16 October 2016. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
- ^ "THE FIRST BLACK GOVERNOR". Curacao History (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 February 2022.
- ^ Gert Oostindie and Inge Klinkers (2003). Decolonising the Caribbean. Dutch Policies in a Comparative Perspective. Amsterdam University Press. pp. 116–117. ISBN 90 5356 654 6.
- ^ "Drs Ben Leito niet naar Raad van State". Amigoe (in Dutch). 1 November 1980. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
- ^ "Leito neemt afscheid van Staten". Amigoe (in Dutch). 30 March 1983. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
- ^ "Wet op de Raad van State". Laws of the Netherlands (in Dutch). Retrieved 12 February 2022.
Article 3. Members retire aged 70 unless they resign or are dismissed
- ^ "Raad van State". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). 21 February 1987. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
- ^ a b c "Persoonlijk". de Volkskrant (in Dutch). 7 September 1996. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
No exact date or place of death in obituary
- ^ "Onderscheiden door de President". Amigoe (in Dutch). 15 February 1978. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
- ^ "Onderscheiden". Amigoe di Curacao (in Dutch). 28 January 1972. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
