THE HAGUE, WILLEMSTAD – The Dutch government holds extensive internal analyses on growing tensions between the United States and Venezuela and the potential repercussions for Curaçao and Aruba, but the majority of these documents remain undisclosed to the public. This emerged from the government’s response to a Freedom of Information (Woo) request concerning the Netherlands’ position on the conflict and the security situation in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.
According to the decision on the request, authorities located ten documents deemed relevant, ranging from internal analyses to diplomatic communications. Multiple documents were entirely withheld, and others heavily redacted. The Dutch government justified its decision by arguing that releasing the material could harm international relations and undermine ongoing diplomatic processes.
In parts of the material that were released, Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire are explicitly mentioned in the context of increasing U.S. pressure in the Caribbean Sea and the concerns this raises within the Kingdom. Internally, preparations include analyses for debates in the Dutch parliament and responses to questions about potential military escalation and The Hague’s role, should tensions between Washington and Caracas intensify.
One partially disclosed factsheet outlines the legal framework around potential American operations, noting that, under international law, a claim of self-defence must involve an armed attack or an imminent threat. The document also notes that the United States characterizes its own operations in international waters as national security measures.
The internal files further highlight the ongoing role of the so-called Forward Operating Locations (FOL) agreement, which allows American counter-narcotics operations from Caribbean bases within the Kingdom. The FOL treaty, which permits the operation of U.S. Forward Operating Locations in the region for airborne anti-drug missions, is valid until November 2026. The Cooperative Security Location at Curaçao’s Hato International Airport currently stands as the only operational site under this arrangement. As with other Kingdom-level defense and foreign policy matters, the Netherlands holds primary responsibility for the treaty.
The disclosure sheds light on how The Hague is preparing for geopolitical uncertainties involving the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, even as official public statements, such as repeated reassurances from Dutch ministers that there is “no immediate threat” to the ABC islands, aim to calm residents and lawmakers alike.
Critics have called for greater transparency and clearer communication with island governments and the populations of Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire, emphasizing that public understanding of security and diplomatic policy is vital amid rising regional tensions.