WILLEMSTAD – Minister of Traffic, Transport and Urban Planning Charles Cooper has sharply criticized four Curaçao heritage organizations after they informed UNESCO about concerns regarding new construction projects in the historic center of Willemstad.
According to the minister, the criticism comes from a small group of people who are “stuck in the past” and are hindering the development of the island.
The organizations NV Stadsherstel Willemstad, Stichting Pro-Monumento, Stichting DoCoMoMo and the Monument Council of Curaçao sent a letter last month to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre in Paris. In the letter they expressed concern about new building projects in historic Willemstad that they say are too large for the surrounding area and could potentially threaten the city’s World Heritage status.
Cooper responded strongly on social media, stating that the same individuals repeatedly oppose development projects and obstruct progress.
“These are people who are stuck in time and do not want development for the country,” the minister wrote.
He also questioned the economic value of Willemstad’s UNESCO World Heritage designation. According to Cooper, the listing itself does not generate measurable financial benefits for Curaçao.
“Quantify for me how much money Curaçao earns because Willemstad is on the UNESCO list. My answer: none,” the minister said.
Cooper argued that tourists visit the island because of the historic landmarks themselves rather than the UNESCO label. He pointed to locations such as the Handelskade waterfront, the Queen Emma Bridge and other historic buildings in the city center as the main attractions.
The minister also criticized one of the signatories of the letter, noting that the individual had previously been involved as a consultant in a permit process for the Marichi hotel project and is now a member of the Monument Council. Cooper suggested that this situation could raise questions about a potential conflict of interest.
Despite his criticism, Cooper emphasized that historic monuments remain protected under Curaçao’s monument ordinance. At the same time, he argued that the UNESCO designation should not prevent the city from continuing to develop.
He called on critics to give the government room to pursue projects aimed at strengthening Curaçao’s economic growth.