THE HAGUE – Concerns are mounting in the Dutch House of Representatives over the growing number of firearms on Curaçao, the slow progress in tackling arms smuggling, and the increasing involvement of youth in gun-related violence. Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel (VVD) acknowledged the seriousness of the situation but stressed that public safety falls primarily under the responsibility of the autonomous countries within the Kingdom.
Members of Parliament Songül Mutluer and Raoul White of the GreenLeft–Labour Party (GroenLinks–PvdA) submitted formal questions to the minister, expressing alarm over the visible increase in firearms on the island, particularly among young people. They called it a structural issue that not only threatens the safety of the Dutch Caribbean but also impacts stability across the Kingdom.
Increasing Firearm Presence Across the Dutch Caribbean
Van Weel confirmed that firearm possession is indeed rising across Curaçao, Bonaire, and Sint Maarten, pointing to vulnerabilities at ports and airports where weapons are believed to be smuggled in. He noted that limited capacity in customs and police forces hampers effective inspections.
Although each country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands manages its own security policy, Van Weel emphasized that the issue of firearms and smuggling is felt Kingdom-wide, requiring coordinated efforts.
Kingdom-Wide Cooperation Through ACOC
Since 2021, the Netherlands and the Caribbean countries have been collaborating through the “Action Center Undermining Curaçao” (ACOC). This joint initiative targets various forms of organized crime, including illegal firearm possession. The ACOC supports legislative development around firearms licensing, monitoring, and public order enforcement. Legal experts are currently working to improve oversight of gun permit issuance.
To support these initiatives, the Netherlands contributes €1 million annually toward the joint effort.
Questions About Youth Outreach and Effectiveness
In addition to enforcement, the Dutch government is backing prevention campaigns on the island, such as “Arma ta Karma”, a youth-focused program aimed at deterring gun violence. Still, Members of Parliament remain skeptical about the overall impact of these programs. They question whether youth are being reached effectively and whether law enforcement has the resources to make meaningful progress.
Minister Van Weel acknowledged these limitations but pointed to several active initiatives, including “Only You Decide Who You Are” and the Leeroverzicht (Learning Overview), which aim to promote education and life skills among Caribbean youth.
Online Arms Trade Poses New Threat
Van Weel also warned about the increasing role of online platforms in illegal arms trade. Dutch authorities are currently investigating smuggling routes via messaging services such as Telegram. He confirmed that the Netherlands is working with international law enforcement agencies to combat digital smuggling networks.
As gun violence and youth involvement continue to rise, the Dutch Parliament is urging for more robust cooperation, oversight, and investment in both preventive and enforcement strategies—before the issue escalates further across the Kingdom.
