A majority of the House of Representatives is in favor of an emergency debate on the situation in Venezuela and the possible consequences for the Caribbean islands. A proposal by Christian Union MP Don Ceder to interrupt the Christmas recess for this purpose has received support from at least GroenLinks-PvdA, D66, CDA and JA21. The various parties made this known on Saturday. It is unclear when the debate will take place, the recess will last until January 12.
Earlier on Saturday, Dutch parties reacted dividedly about the American attacks: Wilders (PVV) posted a muscle emoji, Klaver (GL-PvdA) warned of “a dangerous precedent”. The forming parties, D66, CDA and VVD, have also responded.
VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz writes on X that “this action by the US” does not comply with international law. “But blindly rejecting or blindly supporting the action is both too short-sighted and not helpful. Here, several truths coexist, as is usually the case in complex situations.” The VVD faction leader does not respond to the Christian Union’s call to interrupt the Christmas recess for an emergency debate.
Outgoing Minister of Foreign Affairs David van Weel (VVD) has announced that the Netherlands was not aware of the American military operation in advance, writes the ANP news agency. “We are out here,” he said. He does not know whether this has to do with a preconceived plan by the US about the future of the country, which is rich in oil. “They didn’t share it with us.” According to him, it is still “far too early” to promise that the government will condemn the attack. Van Weel first wants to have “all the facts” and to consult at European level.
D66 faction chairman Rob Jetten gives on Instagram says that he wants to be “clear first of all”: “his brutal regime does not deserve any sympathy. Maduro oppressed his people for years, stole the elections and blocked a peaceful transfer of power.” At the same time, he states that “this is not the way.” According to him, “unilateral intervention without a UN mandate” is at odds with maintaining the international legal order. “When countries abandon international law, a world threatens where power takes precedence over right.” Resulting in a “risky precedent”.
Jetten then describes the impact of the events in “the largest neighboring country of our Kingdom of the Netherlands” on the Caribbean islands. “Let Europe actively contribute to de-escalation,” he says. He concludes by saying that D66 supports the Christian Union’s call to organize an emergency debate. He shares the message not only in Dutch, but also in Spanish.
Derk Boswijk, foreign spokesperson for the CDA, speaks on X of ‘worrying developments’. “We are closely monitoring the situation, with special attention to the safety of Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire.”