THE HAGUE - Today marks the 14th anniversary of the constitutional reforms that reshaped the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Across the Kingdom, the day is being observed quietly, with little reason for celebration. Fourteen years after Curaçao and Sint Maarten gained the status of "autonomous countries within the Kingdom," the situation has worsened for both nations in many respects.
Deterioration Since 2010
Since becoming independent countries within the Kingdom on October 10, 2010, both Curaçao and Sint Maarten have faced increasing challenges. Poverty levels have risen, and both nations are grappling with enormous debts. While the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the financial strain, the bulk of these debts were already accumulating long before the crisis hit. Aruba, which has held its autonomous status since 1986, is similarly burdened by high public debt, not solely due to the pandemic but also because of an oversized government bureaucracy.
The reform agreements between the Caribbean nations and the Netherlands have seen slow progress, largely due to a lack of enthusiasm in implementing them. All three Caribbean countries—Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and Aruba—have struggled to advance the necessary changes agreed upon with The Hague, and the economic conditions continue to worsen.
Disappointment in Autonomy
Curaçao and Sint Maarten expected that the 2010 reforms would grant them more autonomy, but the reality has been far different. Since gaining this status, both countries have been under strict financial supervision from the Kingdom Council of Ministers, based in the Netherlands. The Dutch government leveraged the COVID-19 relief loans, which amounted to over €1 billion, to impose significant reforms on the Caribbean nations through "mutual agreements." While these agreements were supposedly voluntary, the nations had little choice—without agreeing to the terms, they would have been required to repay the pandemic loans immediately.
This financial supervision has led to frustrations on both sides, with many in the Caribbean nations feeling that their autonomy has been significantly compromised. The original intent of 10-10-10, the date marking the constitutional reform, was to create a more balanced partnership within the Kingdom. Yet, the years since have shown that financial and political ties to the Netherlands remain stronger than expected, leaving little room for the Caribbean countries to exercise real independence.
Discontent in the Caribbean Netherlands
Beyond Curaçao and Sint Maarten, dissatisfaction with the outcomes of the 2010 reforms is also evident in the Caribbean Netherlands—Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. While some improvements have been made, particularly in the education sector, residents of these islands still feel neglected when compared to their counterparts in European Netherlands. Social and welfare provisions, such as healthcare and unemployment benefits, remain inadequate, and under Dutch administration, poverty levels have continued to rise.
Although the Dutch government only recently established a social minimum for the islands, it is seen as too little, too late. Critical welfare mechanisms, such as unemployment insurance, remain largely absent, exacerbating the economic struggles of residents.
