WILLEMSTAD – The Netherlands plans to strengthen security cooperation in the Caribbean as part of its new defense strategy, according to the Defensienota 2026.
The policy paper states that cooperation is essential for the security of the Kingdom, especially because the Caribbean part of the Kingdom lies outside the NATO treaty area. For that reason, the Netherlands says strengthening partnerships in the region is of “extra importance.”
Defense plans to invest in security for the Caribbean part of the Kingdom through the Framework for Western Hemisphere Allied Cooperation. The ministry also wants to broaden cooperation in the fight against organized crime.
The policy paper does not focus only on traditional military threats. It also points to hybrid threats, organized crime, migration pressure, cyber risks and regional instability as challenges that can affect the Caribbean territories.
The Caribbean strategy comes as the Netherlands is increasing defense spending and reshaping its armed forces to respond more quickly to crises. While the European security environment remains the main driver of the new policy, the document makes clear that the protection of the entire Kingdom, including Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire, Sint Maarten, Saba and Sint Eustatius, remains part of the Dutch defense mission.
The new approach is expected to lead to closer cooperation with regional partners, including the United States and other Western Hemisphere allies.