WILLEMSTAD – The Curaçao government is formally evaluating the possibility of removing visa requirements for Venezuelan visitors in an effort to revive tourism from one of the island’s historically most important markets.
The information was revealed by Minister of Economic Development Dr. Roderick Middelhof during an interview with Noticias24hrs and has since been independently confirmed by Curaçao Chronicle.
According to Middelhof, the government is examining whether visa-free travel for Venezuelan citizens could help restore visitor numbers that have fallen sharply since the introduction of visa requirements.
“Right now we are evaluating removing the visa because, as you know, there was a time when Venezuelans did not need a visa to enter Curaçao,” Middelhof said. “We are now looking at putting that situation back in place in order to attract tourism from Venezuela again.”
The proposal comes as Curaçao faces a dramatic decline in Venezuelan tourism. Official figures from the Curaçao Tourist Board show that between January and May 2025, a total of 10,025 Venezuelan visitors stayed on the island. During the same period in 2026, that number fell to just 3,714 visitors, representing a year-over-year decline of approximately 63 percent.
The drop follows the introduction of visa requirements for Venezuelan nationals traveling to Curaçao and other travel restrictions that have affected mobility between the neighboring countries.
For decades, Venezuela was one of Curaçao’s closest economic and tourism partners. The short distance between the two countries made Curaçao a popular destination for shopping, business, medical services, and leisure travel. Venezuelan visitors also played a significant role in supporting local businesses, restaurants, retailers, and hotels.
Middelhof emphasized that the relationship between Curaçao and Venezuela extends far beyond tourism. Economic ties, cultural exchanges, family connections, and trade have historically linked the two nations.
The minister also acknowledged the importance of Venezuela to Curaçao’s food supply chain. For many years, Venezuelan farmers and exporters have supplied the island with fresh fruits and vegetables, helping to meet local demand and maintain competitive prices.
The evaluation of the visa policy appears to fit within the government's broader strategy of strengthening regional economic cooperation and reopening markets that have traditionally contributed to Curaçao's economy.
The announcement comes shortly after the government began exploring measures to improve regional connectivity and facilitate travel from neighboring Caribbean and Latin American countries. Earlier this month, Minister Middelhof also confirmed that Curaçao is taking steps toward eliminating visa requirements for citizens of the Dominican Republic as part of efforts to boost tourism, trade, and investment.
No final decision has yet been announced regarding Venezuelan visa requirements. However, the minister's comments indicate that the government is actively considering policy changes that could make travel to Curaçao easier for Venezuelan visitors and potentially reverse the significant decline in arrivals seen over the past year.
If approved, the measure could represent one of the most significant changes in Curaçao-Venezuela relations since the introduction of the current visa regime.