WILLEMSTAD - The Ministry of Health, Environment, and Nature (GMN) has launched an ambitious campaign this week to remove abandoned and derelict vehicles from public spaces across Curaçao. The initiative aims to protect the environment, improve public areas, and enhance road safety.
The campaign operates under the Public Order Ordinance, which outlines regulations for identifying and removing vehicles deemed unsafe, non-compliant with legal standards, or hazardous to public health and the environment.
Abandoned vehicles identified as wrecks will be marked with a red sticker as an official warning. Owners will have two weeks to remove their vehicles voluntarily. If they fail to do so, the government will take legal action and charge the removal costs to the owner. Vehicles unclaimed within a reasonable timeframe may be stored or destroyed.
The government highlights the environmental risks posed by abandoned vehicles, including leaking fluids and hazardous materials. These vehicles also attract pests that can spread diseases such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. Through this campaign, the Ministry seeks to contribute to a cleaner, safer environment for all residents of Curaçao.