Well, I think it is reflected in the psychological behavior of the Dutch government.
IMHO the govt. officials/big wigs on the island and those still in the Netherlands who have influence on Aruba have been "on the take" with money from the Columbian drug cartels (and probably other accompanying illegal trafficking and criminal activity). Aruba being central to their movement of money, drugs, etc. in the criminal world. However, the govt. have also cleverly made the island "tourist friendly" as a cover-up. They have convinced the general population that the largest/only opportunity for economy is tourism. The general population is dependant on those tourist dollars....while the big wigs get rich and richer on the payoffs received from the cartels. Their foreign bank accounts grow, they live lavishly, and because the island people rely on that tourism, they have worked to give Aruba the seeming appearance of all that is "good." Thus, they have kept the natives "slaves" to tourism, not privy to other opportunities, and, in essence, subservant to the Dutch upperclass control. Keeping people "in their place"....just like the Slave Trade they started hundreds of years ago - same philosophy.
This case could just be the crack that lets the world see into the seething relationship between the rich officials and crime (as it is proving to be true). That is why they are in such a panic. It is not because they might loose tourist dollars, it is because all their covert relationships are at risk of being exposed.
Just my opinion.
You've nailed it.
If your assessment is correct, and I think you made some good arguments, the most intriguing character in this case then, will be Mr. Paulus Van der Sloot.
Is he a teacher? a civil servant? a former prosecutor with no legal training? What is motivating him to want to be a Judge in this small island? Fixed trial outcomes?
If his 17 yr old son arrived home between 1:00 and 2:00 a.m. what was VDS Sr. doing at 3:00 am near McDonalds? Where was the son at 3:00 a.m.? What type of facilities are close to McDonalds? Were father and son together? What car were they driving? Who else was present?
Diabolical.
maybe the African slave trade but not necessarily the slave trade that has gone on since early times,,JMHO....