WILLEMSTAD - Venezuela is demanding that the Dutch government open an investigation into the activities of the RCGS Resolute, a vessel presently docked in Curacao’s Saint Anna Bay for “serious aggression committed against the Venezuelan Coast Guard vessel Naiguata,” Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza has announced.

According to Caracas, along with the Netherlands, Venezuela has asked Curacao to help investigate the incident, but received no response. In a press statement, the Ministry noted that “Venezuelan authorities do not exclude the possibility that this ship was transporting mercenaries to attack military bases in Venezuela.”

“This attacking ship (RCGS Resolute) violated national and international regulations and conventions in our waters and docked in the port of Willemstad Curacao, requesting fuel. What are the local authorities waiting for?” he asked. According to the defense minister, despite the complaint made by Venezuelan authorities, “we have received no response from the authorities of the Island of Curacao.”

This afternoon, the Minister of Transport, Zita Jesus-Leito indicated that the ship arrived in the harbor to bunker but no one is allowed to disembark. Only the crew is on board. It is a ship that had an accident near Venezuela but that is not Curaçao’s problem. The ship will be permitted to leave and the problem should be resolved between Venezuela and Portugal, which is where the ship is registered.