WILLEMSTAD,THE HAGUE – The acting director of the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary of Curaçao (KGMC) in The Hague, Martha Semil, has been temporarily denied access to the Curaçao House. The measure follows public allegations and uncertainties surrounding personnel and financial matters within the cabinet.
The decision was formalized in a decree issued by the Minister of General Affairs on March 1. The access restriction is in effect until March 31 and may be extended if necessary.
According to Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas, the measure is intended to allow an investigation into possible misconduct to proceed without interference. Officials emphasize that the action is an administrative order measure and not a disciplinary sanction.
Keys and Access Credentials Surrendered
Under the decision, Semil is required to surrender all keys and access passes, as well as passwords for official email accounts, general mailboxes, banking information, and personnel-related documents. She is also prohibited from leaving the Netherlands without written permission from the Prime Minister.
The Secretary-General of the Ministry of General Affairs has immediately assumed temporary leadership of the KGMC in order to restore what authorities describe as “calm and structure” and to oversee the ongoing investigations.
The decree explicitly refers to unclear developments in financial management, including alleged settlement agreements and other expenditures. It also states that Semil reportedly refused to grant full access to personnel documents despite prior requests.
Aftermath of Manuel’s Departure
The measure comes in the wake of the resignation of former Minister Plenipotentiary Carlson Manuel on January 12. Manuel stepped down following allegations related to his conduct. He previously described the accusations against him as “slander and defamation.”
At the same time, Curaçao Parliament adopted a motion requesting the General Audit Chamber to investigate the financial situation of the Curaçao House in The Hague, which Manuel had led since 2021. Authorities are examining possible irregularities in the management of funds and expenditures.
Broader Financial Management Under Scrutiny
The decree concerning Semil signals that the issue has expanded beyond the political leadership to include the administrative management of the Curaçao House. While initial scrutiny focused on the former Minister Plenipotentiary, the daily management of the office is now also under review.
The Minister of General Affairs stated that the temporary measure is necessary “in the interest of the service” and to guarantee that the investigation can proceed without influence.
The Curaçao House in The Hague plays a key diplomatic and administrative role within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The succession of developments — Manuel’s resignation, parliamentary calls for financial oversight, and now the temporary exclusion of the acting director — point to what observers describe as a deepening administrative crisis within the institution.