WILLEMSTAD - Employees of the oil refinery on Curaçao blocked the entrance of the government building on the island on Tuesday evening. They are concerned about the future of the refinery. At the end of 2019, the lease contract will expire with the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA. Now there is no company that wants to take over the contract.

The government has been trying to find a new partner for several years. Until recently, it seemed to succeed, but on Tuesday a large US oil company reportedly refrained from further discussions after two months of intensive negotiations.

Employees therefore laid down the work and demanded a meeting with Prime Minister Rhuggenaath. That was to speak to the employees. But that did not take the tension out of the air.

The refinery, founded a hundred years ago by Shell, is still important for the economy of the island. Rhuggenaath has always stated that he will do everything to ensure that the refinery remains open. Shell sold the refinery for 1 guilder in 1986, if it is not liable for any environmental damage. Since then, PDVSA leased the refinery.

The employees want the government to continue negotiation with PDVSA but the current political and financial situation of Venezuela makes is almost impossible for the State Oil Company to continue operating.