THE HAGUE - Defense is prepared to take action if the government decides to evacuate Dutch people from Venezuela. In light of the situation in Venezuela, Defense is also taking into account various scenarios in which an influx of migrants to Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao starts and requests for assistance are made.

Interdepartmental working groups have been set up to make preparations for these scenarios in consultation with the other countries, as can be read in the chapter Kingdom tasks in the Caribbean of the introductory file for the new Ministers of Defense:

The defense of the independence and territorial integrity of the four countries of the Kingdom is a Kingdom matter. The Kingdom government looks after the external defense of Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten. The Governors of Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten can dispose of the armed forces as representatives of the Kingdom government. They exercise their powers over the armed forces only with the approval of the Kingdom Council of Ministers or of the Minister of Defense as a representative of this Council, except in the case of deployment in the event of calamities, such as hurricanes. The basis for military assistance as referred to above is a Royal Decree from 1987.

On Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (the BES islands), military personnel can be deployed under the authority of the Attorney General (criminal enforcement of the rule of law) or the lieutenant governor (maintenance of public order) on the basis of the BES Security Act.

The Commander of the Navy in the Caribbean (CZMCARIB) is charged with carrying out the three main tasks of Defense in the Caribbean. To this end, the Commander has a headquarters with a staff, three barracks, and a number of operational units, including a station ship (usually an ocean-going patrol vessel (OPV)) with a helicopter (the NH-90), two infantry companies (Aruba and Curaçao), a transport ship, the Aruban militia and the Curaçao militia. Also on Sint Maarten there has been a permanent military presence for several years now, in the form of a detachment of navy officers.

In the context of promoting the international legal order, CZMCARIB contributes to security and stability in the region, for example through international cooperation in the fight against drugs. In support of the civil authorities, CZMCARIB provides military assistance and support to Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten as well as to the BES islands (Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba) in the event of a hurricane passage ("soft" assistance) or in the context of public order and security or law enforcement ('hard' assistance). During the COVID-19 crisis, Defense has supported civil authorities with medical capabilities and assisted in maintaining public order. As part of the 'Broad offensive against organized subversive crime', the Defense organization is investing in Coast Guard systems and CZMCARIB capabilities.

The tasks of the armed forces have not changed as a result of the reorganization in 2010 of the political relations within the Kingdom, with the exception of that of the KMar (Royal Police). Since 2010, the KMar has performed independent tasks on the BES islands on the basis of the BES legislation, which are almost identical to the tasks in the Netherlands.

Considering the situation in Venezuela, the Ministry of Defense is taking into account various scenarios in which an influx of migrants to Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao starts and requests for assistance are made. The Defense also takes into account that support must be provided if the government decides to evacuate Dutch people from Venezuela. Interdepartmental working groups have been set up to prepare for these scenarios in consultation with the other countries.

At the end of 2020, the Advisory Council on International Affairs (AIV) advised in its advisory report 'Security and the rule of law in the Caribbean' to strengthen the defense presence in this part of the Kingdom.

In 2020, because of the required liquidity support, 'Country Packages' have been agreed between the Netherlands and the Countries. Defense, KMar and Coastguard Carib participate in several measures to strengthen the rule of law in the countries. In this context, the KMar's efforts on the Countries will be strengthened (particularly for border control), the militias will be professionalized, the Social Education process in Aruba and Curaçao will be further developed, and the Coastguard Carib will eventually grow into a 24/7 task-resistant organization. The investment budget of the Coastguard Carib has also been determined, with which the equipment will be replaced in the coming years.

The KMar has been deployed in the Caribbean for various tasks. The KMar brigade is charged with police tasks in the Caribbean and provides assistance to the local police forces. This brigade also fulfills the Criminal Intelligence Service (CID) function for the Coast Guard in the Caribbean. The KMar is also responsible for border security and police duties at the airports of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba. The tasks on the BES islands are performed by Dutch and local personnel.

A flexible pool is charged with carrying out tasks to support the local authorities of Curaçao and St. Maarten in the field of border and immigration control, drug controls and the fight against drug, violent and migration crime.