Article 167 prohibits “encouraging or facilitating the corruption of a person under the age of eighteen (…) by various sexual acts of carnal knowledge, even if the victim agrees to participate.” In Panama, the age of consent is generally 18, although sexual conduct with children between the ages of 14 and 18 is not always illegal. [41] There is another crime in section 262 for consensual sexual relations with adolescents between the ages of 12 and 18 where consent is obtained by deception. The penalty is 3 months to 4 years in prison. However, this offence may be prosecuted only by complaint by the minor or his parents or guardians in accordance with article 263. Another article, 266 bis, provides for an additional penalty of up to half in certain circumstances – (a) if there are several offenders; (b) if the offence is committed by a parent, guardian, stepfather or “companion” (amasio) of the mother; (c) in the event of abuse of authority by a person as a public servant; (d) if the offence is committed by a person who keeps the minor in custody, custody or training, or nevertheless by breach of trust. There are no official nudist beaches. Public nudity, whatever it is, is illegal and can be an insult to the people of Aruba. However, there are many small, very secluded beaches along the north-east coast, some of which require a 4-wheeled vehicle to reach where you can be alone and do whatever you want (at your own risk), subject to interruption at any time by 4×4 or horse riding. There are no facilities of any kind nearby and the surf is extremely rough and dangerous for swimming.
Sunbathing and topless swimming are not illegal on public beaches (there is no law against this), but sometimes not allowed or enjoyed on beaches in front of hotels and resorts. Aruba has a diverse culture, but as in any other constituent state, there is still a lot of influence that the Kingdom of the Netherlands and its people have brought to Aruba. For example, it is no coincidence that the legal drinking age in the Netherlands is also 18. Festival seasons are the biggest time of year for liquor vendors. Aruba enjoys a stable economic situation that is better than most Caribbean islands, and many of its inhabitants can easily afford to buy alcoholic beverages. In the United States, age of consent laws are enacted at the state, territorial and federal county levels. There are several federal laws to protect minors from sexual predators, but none of them set an age limit for sexual acts. On 26 June 2003, heterosexual and homosexual sodomy was prosecuted in all United States states, territories and districts under the United States Supreme Court`s decision Lawrence v. Texas[50] (between consenting, non-commercial adults in a private room).
In State v. Limon (2005), the Kansas Supreme Court used Lawrence as a precedent to repeal the state`s “Romeo and Juliet” law, which prohibits harsher sentences for heterosexuals than for homosexuals convicted of similar ages of consent offenses. [51] Telephones – To make a local call from a pay phone, you must purchase a $5, $9 or $18 calling card at the airport, hotel counter, gas station or supermarket. You can also dial 121 to make a stall call. Most cell phones work in Aruba, but you may need to call your carrier first to make sure you have an international plan. Prices are typically in the range of $2 per minute and 50¢ per text. Be sure to disable the data plan on the island, otherwise your phone will incur charges when you try to connect to the network to check for system updates. AT&T customers can dial 916/843-4685 to reach an operator from a cell phone, or call 800-8000 from phones at cruise docks and the airport. Verizon`s global customer service number is 908/559-4899. Sprint`s customer service in Aruba is tel. 888/211-4727.
T-Mobile can be reached at tel. 888/866-2453. Local mobile phones can be rented at the airport on a daily or weekly basis. The two main airlines are Digicel (tel. 297/522-2222; www.digicelaruba.com) and SETAR (tel. 297/583-4000; www.setar.aw). Prices are $50 per week for a certain number of minutes, with a per-minute fee for overruns. There are additional charges for outgoing and incoming calls and a deposit is usually required.
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