WILLEMSTAD - The Netherlands will assist Curaçao in its plans for better financial management, a more effective government apparatus and economic growth. A covenant on this has been signed in Willemstad this week by the Prime Ministers of both autonomous countries within the Kingdom, Mark Rutte and Eugene Rhuggenaath.

Officially, there is a 'cooperation covenant', but it is clear that the Netherlands is taking the lead, even if it is at the request of Curaçao. The Hague provides an 'experienced transition counselor'. This will help to find projects that contribute to economic growth and stronger governance.

The Dutch willingness to give Curaçao 'full support', also in dealing with the still growing problems with migrants from neighboring Venezuela, will lead to much political criticism on the Caribbean island itself. The Rhuggenaath government has a decent majority in the Curaçao parliament. But for the opposition, who had previously been in power, an outstretched hand from the Netherlands soon became an attempt to colonize the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom again.