WILLEMSTAD - Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is from Sunday to Tuesday in Bonaire, Curaçao and Aruba to promote trade. The visit comes at the moment that Curaçao wants more help because of the ongoing flood of refugees from neighboring Venezuela, which is in crisis.

The government of the Caribbean island expects, among other things Dutch support in tracking down refugees at sea. Curacao also wants help in tackling illegal Venezuelans. There must also be more places to secure illegals. Dutch assistance is also necessary to reduce health risks.

Curaçao is facing more and more negative consequences due to the crisis in Venezuela. Trafficking in human beings, smuggling of human beings, drugs smuggling, and the arms trade are major problems, according to the government, it is asking for help for the second time. Aruba and Bonaire also have to deal with Venezuelan refugees.

Rutte is in Curaçao on Monday for the Bon Bini for Business conference, in which companies from all over the Kingdom take part. The first Bon Bini for business was in The Hague in June. Rutte opens the office of Qredits, a Dutch microfinance institution, in Bonaire. On Aruba there is talk about expansion of the airport.