THE HAGUE - During a recent Senate Defense Committee meeting, Senator Boris Dittrich (D66), spokesperson for Kingdom Relations, suggested that Aruba and Curaçao could potentially play a role in the Dutch defense industry. Dittrich proposed that parts of weapon and ammunition production could be carried out on the islands, which would enable them to qualify for Defense contracts or offer locations for military use.
Minister Brekelmans responded to the proposal by acknowledging the strategic importance of the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom, particularly in light of the "threat and turbulence" from neighboring Venezuela. He emphasized the Dutch Defense Ministry’s responsibility to the region and expressed interest in exploring the possibilities further, calling Dittrich's idea an intriguing one.
If pursued, this initiative could mark a significant step toward strengthening the role of Aruba and Curaçao in Dutch defense policy, potentially bringing economic opportunities to the islands. Further discussions and feasibility studies are expected to follow.