WILLEMSTAD – Dutch captain Pim de Rhoodes and his crew have been missing for over a month after their vessel was intercepted by the Venezuelan navy in the Caribbean. According to several Dutch media outlets, the ship was ordered to sail to Isla Margarita, but since then, no further contact has been made with the captain or his crew.
The incident reportedly occurred on June 19, when De Rhoodes last communicated with contacts outside Venezuela. He informed them that he and his crew had been taken off the ship for questioning by Venezuelan authorities. According to Dutch maritime news outlet Schuttevaer, a Venezuelan admiral has accused the crew of searching for oil-rich areas and attempting to sell the coordinates to the highest bidder—an accusation akin to espionage.
Mysterious Disappearance Raises Alarms
The captain and his crew were said to be involved in a wreck-hunting expedition when they were stopped by Venezuelan forces. Since then, no official statement has been issued by Venezuelan authorities about their whereabouts or legal status. Families of the missing crew are growing increasingly concerned.
A Spanish crew member reportedly contacted his family on the day of the incident, saying they were being transferred for interrogation by the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Venezuela. After that, all communication ceased, and the crew’s status remains unknown.
Dutch Government Yet to Comment
There has been no public response from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and it is unclear whether diplomatic efforts are underway to determine the fate of the crew. The situation is complicated by strained relations between Venezuela and Western nations, and by a general lack of transparency in the Venezuelan legal system.
Maritime experts and human rights organizations are urging both the Dutch and Venezuelan governments to clarify the situation and ensure that the crew receives due legal process and consular assistance.
Curaçao Chronicle will continue to monitor developments as more information becomes available.
