THE HAGUE, WILLEMSTAD – The Dutch Ministry of Defense is significantly reinforcing the Caribbean Coast Guard this year, adding seventy new positions to improve coastal surveillance and enforcement capabilities. The move comes in response to the growing threat of international organized crime, particularly in the areas of drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and human trafficking.
The Coast Guard aims to shift from a reactive to a proactive approach, operating 24/7 with constant sea patrols and enhanced intelligence and support operations. The need is urgent: authorities are detecting increasing volumes of drug shipments moving just beneath the waters of the ABC islands, especially from Colombia and Venezuela. Additionally, the number of illegal firearms circulating on the islands is on the rise.
Venezuela’s instability plays a central role in the situation. Its ongoing political and economic crisis has led to a sharp increase in migration, with tens of thousands fleeing to the Caribbean. On Aruba and Curaçao, it’s estimated that over 10 percent of the population consists of undocumented Venezuelans. Many are smuggled ashore undetected, despite efforts by the Coast Guard. The Curaçao government noted today that while more human trafficking victims are being identified, the perpetrators often remain out of reach.
To address this, the Coast Guard intends to become an intelligence-driven force capable of targeted operations. This includes stepped-up nighttime patrols along the coastline, focusing on small vessels that frequently evade detection.
The expansion is part of a broader strategy to improve coordination between law enforcement agencies across the islands — including the police, Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, and Defense forces. Currently, these bodies often operate independently, which hampers efforts to dismantle increasingly sophisticated criminal networks.
However, the issue remains complex. On Curaçao, illegal migration itself has limited impact on general safety. Undocumented migrants are vital to sectors such as construction, cleaning, and landscaping, and play a key role in supporting the island’s economy.
While the Coast Guard expansion is already underway, many of the new positions have yet to be filled.
