WILLEMSTAD – Since December 2024, Curaçao’s Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature (GMN) has removed more than 60 abandoned vehicles from public roads as part of an ongoing campaign to tackle long-standing nuisances in neighborhoods. Nearly two-thirds of the vehicle owners responded voluntarily after receiving red warning stickers, according to the ministry. 

The large-scale effort, which began in December last year, targets so-called karkachas—car wrecks that have been left unattended in public areas and contribute to safety, environmental, and aesthetic issues. Over the past five months, 454 vehicles have been marked with red stickers. Of those, 261 were removed by the owners within the designated time. In 13 cases, owners voluntarily relinquished the vehicles. Another 127 cases are still under administrative review. 

In 63 instances, the government had to step in and forcibly remove the wrecks through administrative enforcement, with all costs charged to the vehicle owners. 

The operation is carried out by the Environmental and Nature Inspection Unit in collaboration with neighborhood police officers. Inspectors assess vehicles for mechanical defects, visible damage, and rust. If deemed a wreck, the vehicle is tagged with a red sticker, giving the owner 14 days to remove it. If no action is taken, the ministry has the vehicle towed and stored, again at the owner's expense. 

According to the ministry, the campaign is delivering visible results. Nearly 58 percent of all stickered vehicles were removed on time without government intervention, and fewer than 20 percent required forced removal. The number of formal objections has been negligible, with only one official complaint submitted. 

The ministry plans to continue the campaign in the coming months.