THE HAGUE - Growing geopolitical tensions between Venezuela and the United States have prompted serious concerns in The Hague about the potential consequences for Curaçao and Aruba. During a Caribbean part of the Kingdom (CAS) debate in the Dutch House of Representatives on September 30, several Members of Parliament voiced their unease and called for stronger attention to the region’s security situation.
The debate centered on fears that increasing U.S. military operations near Venezuelan territory could create instability in the southern Caribbean, where Curaçao and Aruba—both autonomous countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands—are located just off the Venezuelan coast.
PVV: “The Kingdom cannot ignore the threat on its own doorstep”
Peter van Haasen of the Party for Freedom (PVV) criticized what he described as a double standard in Dutch foreign and defense policy.
“We are pouring billions into the terrible war in Ukraine,” Van Haasen said. “Meanwhile, right on the edge of our own Kingdom, tensions between America and our neighbor Venezuela are escalating. The Netherlands cannot turn a blind eye to the risks this poses to the safety and stability of our own islands.”
He urged the government to prioritize military readiness and protection in the Caribbean as part of its broader defense policy, arguing that Curaçao and Aruba must not be left vulnerable should the regional situation deteriorate.
D66: “People on the islands are deeply worried”
Mpanzu Bamenga of the Democrats 66 (D66) party drew attention to the growing anxiety among residents of the islands, who fear being caught in the middle of an international confrontation.
“Tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela continue to rise, and the islands are right in between,” Bamenga stated. “There is a real fear among the population that they could be drawn into the conflict. The people are deeply concerned—and rightly so. What guarantees can we provide that Curaçao and Aruba will not be unnecessarily pulled into a geopolitical clash?”
Bamenga emphasized that the Kingdom bears a shared responsibility for safeguarding the wellbeing of all its citizens, including those in the Caribbean territories.
NSC: “The Caribbean is on the front line of regional instability”
Faith Bruyning of the New Social Contract (NSC) echoed those concerns, urging the Dutch government to institutionalize geopolitical awareness in its Caribbean policy.
“The Caribbean countries are literally on the front line of instability in the region,” Bruyning said. “Their safety, their sense of security, and their trust in the Kingdom are at stake. How will the State Secretary ensure that his policies take into account the geopolitical reality of Venezuela and its impact on the stability of the entire Kingdom?”
Government: “No immediate threat, but active coordination underway”
In response, State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Eddie van Marum (BBB) sought to reassure Parliament that there is no immediate threat to Aruba, Curaçao, or Bonaire. He clarified that the current U.S. military activity is a national operation by the United States, and that the Kingdom of the Netherlands is not involved.
Van Marum confirmed that there is continuous coordination between the Dutch Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs and the local governments of the islands. Together, he said, they are preparing for various potential scenarios to guarantee the safety of residents and visitors.
“We are closely monitoring developments,” the State Secretary stated. “The security of the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom remains a top priority, and we are working hand in hand with our partners on the islands to ensure preparedness.”
Heightened vigilance amid shifting regional dynamics
While the Dutch government maintains that no direct danger exists at this time, lawmakers from multiple parties are urging a more proactive and transparent approach to the evolving situation in the Caribbean basin.
With the U.S. intensifying its naval presence near Venezuelan waters and Caracas responding with heightened military rhetoric, concerns are growing that Curaçao and Aruba—home to strategic facilities and international cooperation agreements—could find themselves under increased regional pressure.
For now, all eyes are on how The Hague balances diplomatic caution with strategic readiness in a part of the Kingdom that lies just 70 kilometers from Venezuela’s coast—a proximity that is once again placing the southern Caribbean squarely within the scope of global tensions.
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