THE HAGUE, WILLEMSTAD - The Dutch government has been given one week to explain whether the Netherlands has played any role—directly or indirectly—in controversial American maritime attacks in the Caribbean Sea. The demand was issued by GroenLinks–PvdA MPs Mikal Tseggai and Kati Piri, following rising tensions between the United States and Venezuela and growing unease within the Dutch Caribbean.
The issue burst into the spotlight after a 13 November investigation by Dutch news program Nieuwsuur, which highlighted escalating concern on Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire about U.S. actions against boats the Americans label as “drug vessels.”
Sharp Questions About Intelligence Sharing
At the core of the political pressure is whether Dutch intelligence or operational data—including information gathered in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom—may have been used by the United States to carry out what international experts now call potentially unlawful attacks.
Both the United Nations and France have expressed concern that the recent U.S. “use of force” incidents in the Caribbean violate international law. As a result, the MPs are asking whether the Netherlands should, like Canada and the United Kingdom, temporarily suspend intelligence sharing with the U.S. until the legality of the operations is clarified.
Curaçao at the Center of the Debate
Curaçao is central to the controversy, as the island hosts:
The U.S. Forward Operating Location (FOL) at HatoDutch
Caribbean Coast Guard units that coordinate with U.S. agencies
Regional intelligence networks involving the Kingdom, the U.S., and partner states
MPs warn that any Dutch intelligence contribution—no matter how indirect—could make the Netherlands complicit in controversial American operations.
They are demanding assurances that:
No Dutch intelligence is being used to support these attacks
Coast guard cooperation is not enabling U.S. strikes
The use of Hato Airport by American forces is not facilitating military operations outside legal frameworks
Pressure on Dutch Cabinet to Address Caribbean Fears
Tseggai and Piri insist the Dutch Cabinet explain how it is working with Curaçao, Aruba, and Bonaire to reduce panic and mistrust among the islands’ populations. The MPs argue that residents of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom deserve clear information—without crossing constitutional boundaries or interfering with the islands’ autonomy.
“Our islands must not be pulled into an international conflict without full transparency,” one of the MPs said.
Growing Regional Anxiety
For weeks, concerns have been mounting across the Caribbean following:
Increased U.S. maritime operations
Reports of aggressive interdictions
Diplomatic tension between Washington and Caracas
Local governments have not publicly accused the U.S. of wrongdoing, but communities on the islands—especially in Curaçao—fear being caught in the middle of a Venezuelan–U.S. escalation.
Next Steps
The Dutch government must respond within one week, meaning clarity is expected imminently. Depending on the Cabinet’s answers, the issue could escalate into:
A parliamentary debate
A temporary suspension of Dutch–U.S. intelligence cooperation
A review of U.S. access to facilities in the Dutch Caribbean
This developing story has major implications not only for foreign policy, but for security, sovereignty and public confidence on Curaçao and the wider Dutch Caribbean.
