The disappearance of Natalee Holloway shed light on the clandestine Aruban Justice System, so much illumination, that my eyes hurt.

For starters, the principle of habeas corpus that ensures that when the state detains an individual they file charges and prosecute within a reasonable time frame, is untrue on this tropical paradise. Their legal traditions allow detainment for 116 days before filing charges, based on any grounds a judge considers reasonable.

Secondly, they can arrest parties unrelated to the investigation to exert pressure on a suspect in custody. Let’s say I run a stoplight and an Aruban officer arrests me. I refuse to plead guilty, they arrest the Wife, and hold her until I confess. Well, I’m in charge of the Wife holding business in this household, thanks. This was the situation when they arrested the father of a suspect in Natalee’s disappearance, and then released him twenty-four hours later. What the suspect told authorities, if anything, is not known.

In terms of violent crime, Aruba may be it’s own greatest victim. Because the island is so peaceful and has such low crime rates – just one murder this year and the last – the local constables don’t have much experience with capital offenses. That’s good in the sense that serious crimes are rare, bad in the sense that if one occurs they lack the resources and infrastructure for a vigorous prosecution.

For all the advantages and powers Aruba officials have in investigations, where Natalee Holloway is at this moment remains a question no one has answered.