WILLEMSTAD – Justice Minister Shalten Hato has strongly condemned a violent incident that occurred Wednesday evening at the Curaçao Juvenile Justice Institution (JJIC), where an intruder allegedly entered the facility, assaulted two youths, and caused significant property damage.
According to information released by the Ministry of Justice, the suspect is a member of a family that has reportedly been involved in previous incidents and whose members have had prior encounters with law enforcement.
The ministry stated that the individual entered the grounds of the juvenile institution and carried out acts of violence and destruction. During the incident, two youths residing at the facility were allegedly attacked. The suspect also caused considerable damage to vehicles and other property belonging to the institution.
Minister Hato described the actions as completely unacceptable and stressed that security, order, and stability are essential for the care, guidance, and rehabilitation of young people housed at JJIC.
“Security, order, and a stable environment are essential conditions for the development, guidance, and rehabilitation of the youths entrusted to the institution’s care,” the minister said.
The Curaçao Police Force (KPC) responded quickly to the incident and succeeded in apprehending the suspect at the scene shortly after the acts of violence and destruction took place.
Hato expressed concern that the same family has repeatedly been linked to negative incidents and emphasized that such behavior will not be tolerated.
The ministry did not release additional details about the condition of the two youths involved or the extent of the damage caused. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident.
The event comes as the government seeks to strengthen conditions at the juvenile detention and rehabilitation facility, which plays a key role in the care and reintegration of young offenders on the island.