THE HAGUE – A large majority in the Dutch House of Representatives wants the Dutch government to ensure that Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire can benefit from future economic and diplomatic developments involving Venezuela.
A motion submitted by Members of Parliament Joost Hoogeveen and Joost Eerdmans’s party colleague Annabel Nanninga received broad support in parliament on Tuesday.
The motion refers to what lawmakers described as a three-step plan by the United States aimed at Venezuela’s economic recovery and argues that Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire are strategically positioned to serve as a “natural bridge” toward Venezuela because of their geographic location.
According to the motion, the Dutch government should consult within the Kingdom of the Netherlands on how the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom can be better connected to relevant diplomatic and economic developments surrounding Venezuela.
Only the Partij voor de Dieren voted against the proposal.
The parliamentary support comes amid growing discussion in the Netherlands about the geopolitical and economic importance of the southern Caribbean islands in relation to Venezuela. In recent months, Dutch lawmakers have repeatedly debated regional security, trade and economic opportunities connected to developments in Venezuela and the wider Caribbean region.
The motion could increase pressure on the Dutch government to more actively involve Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire in future regional economic strategies if international sanctions on Venezuela continue to ease and economic activity in the neighboring country expands.
For Curaçao in particular, the issue is economically significant because of the island’s historical commercial ties with Venezuela, including trade, logistics, maritime services, refinery activities and regional transportation.
Supporters of the motion argue that the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom should not be sidelined if broader international economic engagement with Venezuela increases in the coming years.