WILLEMSTAD – As Curaçao moves forward with its transition from the Antillean guilder to the new Caribbean guilder, many residents are running into serious problems. Large denomination bills are being refused, banks are applying inconsistent rules, and those without bank accounts often find themselves unable to exchange their money. 

Curaçao’s Ombudsman, Keursly Concincion, voiced his growing concern in an interview published today by Caribisch Netwerk. He reports receiving numerous complaints from citizens, many of whom are confused and frustrated by what they see as inconsistent implementation of the policy across institutions. 

One frequently reported issue is the lack of flexibility at ATMs. “I just wanted to withdraw 50 guilders, but the machine only gave the option of 20 or 100. So I was forced to take out 60 guilders,” one resident complained on social media. 

Local business owners are also feeling the impact. A restaurant owner explained that he has stopped accepting 100-guilder notes altogether: “There’s too much counterfeit money in circulation. I can’t take that risk.” 

The Ombudsman is calling for clearer communication and better coordination between banks and government agencies to ensure that the currency transition is fair and accessible for all, especially for those without access to banking services. 

The transition to the Caribbean guilder, which aims to modernize and harmonize the monetary system in Curaçao and Sint Maarten, is expected to be completed in the coming months.