The Netherlands can help Curaçao, but then politicians on the island must also be willing to be helped

It was special that I, as a Dutch politician, received permission to visit the barracks where the migrants from Venezuela are imprisoned. During a working visit to Curaçao last week. This beautiful island is not doing well, the economy is shrinking and almost half of the young people have no work. That is also because so many illegal Venezuelans work on the island, it is estimated that more than 20,000. That's a lot out of a population of 160,000. People who have been attracted to companies in the past - politicians often turn a blind eye. At the expense of work and the future of the own population. Since the crisis in Venezuela, people are added daily. Due to the short distance with Curaçao, the crossing is made quickly.

The visit to the barracks made an impression. The accommodation is humiliating, in a bare and closed space with minimal facilities. Most migrants are deported within a week. This short stay can still be done for them, but we also spoke to people who had been staying there for months and that is simply not possible. It was noticeable that it was only a handful of people. Most residents are sent back to Venezuela and then try to come to Curaçao again. Several people in the barracks try to stay through a procedure. However, that seems hopeless, Curaçao does not even have an asylum procedure. Some women become pregnant by a Curaçao man, hoping that they can stay. But they too will be disappointed.

The problems for Curaçao are serious. Not only through the jobs that are taken, but also through the spread of (sexually transmitted) diseases. Or by the influx of drugs and weapons that migrants take with them and sell on Curaçao (to pay for their crossing this way). I think the Netherlands could do more to help. But then Curaçao must also be willing to receive help. Many social workers we spoke to on the island and who support migrants could tell us exactly what help they need. But the government of Curaçao did not pass these requests for help on to the Netherlands. Some aid workers said that their own government had never spoken to them about help from the Netherlands.

The Venezuela crisis is also affecting the island's refinery, which is so important for the local economy. The contract with the Venezuelan PDVSA has not been extended and the American company Klesch wants to take over the refinery. Klesch has big plans, but in the Netherlands we have bad experiences with this company, which, among other things, left aluminum company Aldel in Delfzijl bankrupt. Klesch often behaves as a "venture investor" or "raider." I hope the company can deliver on all its plans, but I also see the danger that it will put the refinery in debt and then go bankrupt, leaving the financially weak island with large debts behind. It would not be the first time that doubtful entrepreneurs are taking advantage of the island.

I am not a member of parliament from Curaçao, but would like to advise my colleagues on the island to demand access to the contracts with Klesch. It is also important to have independent experts look at those contracts. The parliament of Curaçao cannot simply say "yes", the prospect of the refinery is too important for the future of Curaçao. But even if Klesch's plans are good and feasible, we must still recognize that the old refinery does not have eternal life. Curaçao will simply have to look for alternatives, for other employment opportunities and a healthy economy. And the island will have to switch to sustainable energy. On this island where the sun always shines and the wind always blows, that should be possible.

The shadow of Venezuela is over Curaçao. This also applies to the illegal gold trade, which enriches the top of the Venezuelan army. Gold that is mined illegally in Venezuela and with exploitation of people has long been sold through Curaçao. Last year the government of Curaçao promised to put an end to this, after I had asked questions about it. But we must check whether this illegal gold trade has actually stopped. We should also investigate which illegal trade is taking place even more through Curaçao and which people in Venezuela are still enriching themselves through this island. We cannot solve the crisis in Venezuela, but the Netherlands can help Curaçao. But then politicians on the island must also be willing to be helped.