WILLEMSTAD – The commanding officers of some of the world’s most iconic tall ships paid an official visit to Governor of Curaçao Mauritsz de Kort on Saturday as part of the ongoing festivities surrounding Velas Curaçao 2026.
The meeting brought together naval commanders from Spain, Peru, Uruguay and Colombia, along with the commander of the Dutch Caribbean station ship Zr.Ms. Friesland, in a ceremonial moment underscoring Curaçao’s maritime importance in the region.
Representing Spain was Commander José María de la Puente Mora-Figueroa of the legendary training ship Juan Sebastián de Elcano, accompanied by Lieutenant Gonzalo Gestoso Rodríguez.
Peru was represented by Commander Juan José Roncagliolo Gómez of the BAP Unión, alongside Second Lieutenant Luis Fernando Paredes Fuster.
From Uruguay, Commander Gabriel Calimaris and operations officer Nicolás Marega represented the ROU Capitán Miranda.
Colombia’s delegation included Commander Héctor Nicanor González León and Lieutenant Juan Pablo Herra Agudelo of the ARC Gloria.
Also present at the meeting were key diplomatic and event representatives, including Curaçao Sail Foundation director Lourdes Ezechiëls, Spanish Ambassador to the Netherlands Consuelo Femenía Guardiola, Peruvian Ambassador to the Netherlands Óscar Paredes, Colombian Consul-General in Willemstad Pablo Antonio Rebolledo Schloss, and Commander Kristen Gouw-Savelberg of Zr.Ms. Friesland.
Governor De Kort had already officially welcomed the tall ships earlier from Fort Amsterdam as the vessels entered Curaçao’s harbor for the maritime festival.
The ships have become the main attraction of Velas Curaçao 2026, drawing thousands of visitors to the waterfront to admire the historic vessels and participate in maritime and cultural activities.
Velas Curaçao has grown into one of the island’s largest international maritime events, celebrating naval tradition, friendship between nations and Curaçao’s long-standing connection to the sea.
The visit to the Governor highlights the diplomatic and symbolic significance of the festival, bringing together military, cultural and diplomatic representatives in the heart of Willemstad.
For Curaçao, the presence of these historic vessels not only offers a unique public spectacle but also reinforces the island’s strategic maritime and cultural ties with Latin America and Europe.
