WILLEMSTAD - During a press conference yesterday the Prime Minister of Curaçao, Eugene Rhuggenaath called on the Venezuelan President, Nicolas Maduro to open the borders for the humanitarian aid that is readily available to be transported to the neighboring country.

“It is my sincere desire that this will take place as soon as possible,” said the Prime Minister. “The Venezuelan people, their families living here and elsewhere are sharing with us their experiences of how things are in our neighboring country, it is really devastating.” The Prime Minister also spoke about diseases that have resurfaced in Venezuela and that could be a risk for Curaçao.

The Prime Minister and the Consul General of the U.S. were at the airport yesterday to receive the first humanitarian aid for Venezuela. This was done based on the treaty between the Dutch Kingdom and the U.S. signed on March 15.

The Prime Minister stressed that this has nothing to do with politics. It is to help the people in their time of need. Just as Curaçao counts on Venezuela when there is the need so Curaçao wants to help now and that is why Rhuggenaath is asking Maduro again and again to open the borders.

Rhuggenaath indicated that he has no information whether Maduro will open the borders to allow the humanitarian aid into the country. “We are talking with them. There are signs of willingness on the side of Maduro’s government to open the borders, but we have not received any official confirmation yet,” said the Prime Minister.