Aruban Prime Minister Mike Eman and Curaçao Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas cancel their planned visit to the Netherlands. The leaders remain in the region due to ongoing unrest due to tensions between Venezuela and the United States. The US military has been building a large force around Venezuela in recent months, claiming to combat drug smuggling.
According to the leaders, there is no specific information about possible escalation, but Prime Minister Eman emphasizes, according to the ANP news agency, that “the tension is palpable.” The islands are located several tens of kilometers away from Venezuela.
Both leaders were scheduled to attend a conference in the Netherlands on December 9. Eman was asked to give a lecture on relations within the Kingdom, with Minister of State Jan Peter Balkenende, among others. Curaçao Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas emphasizes “that the current situation is a priority to protect the stability of our country, remain alert and prepare for possible developments in our region.”
The Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, Luc Mercelina, will travel to the Netherlands and will speak with outgoing Prime Minister Schoof about the tense situation in the Caribbean. Mercelina light opposite it Antillean Dagblad admits that ‘Sint Maarten is geographically less vulnerable’. The Prime Minister of Sint Maarten has been given a mandate to discuss the security issues of the Caribbean islands with the Dutch cabinet.
Tensions between the US and Venezuela
In recent months, the United States has been building up an increasing military force off the coast of Venezuela. The Trump administration says it is doing this to combat drug trafficking. The US military recently disabled at least twenty suspected drug boats originating from Venezuela. Dozens of people were killed.
The White House has so far provided no evidence that any passengers had drugs on board. The deadly attacks have come under fierce criticism from US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Meanwhile, fear of an American attack is increasing in Venezuela. The government of the South American country has mobilized the population. Military exercises in Venezuela can be heard in Aruba.
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No acute threat, but “major concerns”
Despite the fact that Aruba and Curaçao are close to Venezuela, according to outgoing Minister Van Weel (Foreign Affairs, VVD), “there is no acute threat to the Kingdom”. In an answer to Parliamentary questions the minister writes that it is “understandable” that attacks by the American army “raise concerns”.
King Willem-Alexander also says he is “very concerned” about the situation in the Caribbean. The king is closely monitoring the situation and expresses the hope that international law will be maintained. “I realize very well that it is a very difficult situation for the residents of Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. I hope that we can quickly remove the concerns,” the king said during a press interview in Suriname last Wednesday.
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