WILLEMSTAD – Legal expert Mauritsz de Kort, 51, has been appointed as the new Governor of Curaçao. He will officially take office on November 4, succeeding Lucille George-Wout, whose second term will come to an end on that date. 

The Kingdom Council of Ministers approved De Kort’s appointment for a six-year term. He brings with him a wealth of legal experience, having served since 2022 as the President of the Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and the BES islands. Prior to that, he was Vice President of the court's Curaçao and Bonaire branches for five years. 

Legal and Community Career 

De Kort began his career as a lawyer working across several islands and was appointed as a judge in 2011. He studied law at Leiden University in the Netherlands and at the University of London. Beyond his judicial work, he has also been actively involved in various cultural and social organizations in Curaçao and Sint Maarten. 

As Governor, De Kort will become the head of government for Curaçao and serve as the official representative of the Dutch King. He will also act as the key link between the island and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. After completing his first six-year term, he may be reappointed for a second term of up to six years.