The strategic alliance between Venezuela and Russia, signed this week in Moscow, marks a turning point not just in bilateral diplomacy, but also in the geopolitical fabric of the Caribbean. For Curaçao, located just 65 kilometers off Venezuela’s coast and hosting U.S.-aligned assets such as the Dutch Navy base and intelligence capabilities, the time has come to reassess its foreign policy and security posture.
A New Strategic Reality Next Door
With Venezuela pledging military-technical cooperation with Russia—including potential satellite infrastructure, joint defense projects, and expanded air traffic—Russian influence is now poised to gain a foothold in the Southern Caribbean. This changes the regional risk calculus.
While there is no direct indication that Russian military installations will be established in Venezuela anytime soon, the GLONASS satellite ground station and strengthened coordination between the two countries’ armed forces cannot be ignored. For Curaçao, this raises questions:
How will this affect airspace security and surveillance operations based out of Hato and the Dutch naval base?
What are the risks of proxy tensions playing out in our immediate waters?
Can our current defense agreements with the Kingdom of the Netherlands adequately address a more complex regional security environment?
Balancing Diplomacy with Pragmatism
Curaçao has traditionally maintained cautious but cordial diplomatic engagement with Venezuela—essential for issues such as migration, border control, and humanitarian coordination. But with Venezuela becoming increasingly aligned with powers that are in open confrontation with NATO, diplomatic balancing will become more difficult.
The island must resist being pulled into ideological conflicts, while still upholding democratic values, economic resilience, and regional stability.
What Curaçao Should Do
Strengthen Regional Dialogue
Curaçao should intensify engagement with CARICOM, OECS, and Latin American allies to maintain open lines of communication and avoid being sidelined by larger powers.
Invest in Strategic Analysis and Early Warning
The government, in collaboration with the Kingdom and academia, should establish a regional security foresight unit to track military, economic, and political developments in Venezuela and its external partners.
Diversify Economic Ties
If the Western sanctions regime on Venezuela hardens further, Curaçao must continue efforts to diversify its economy, reducing reliance on any one regional actor—including the eventual reopening of the Isla refinery or border trade with Venezuela.
Enhance Maritime Security
Given the possibility of increased naval or strategic movements in the region, the Curaçao Coast Guard and Dutch Navy presence must be reevaluated and, if necessary, strengthened to preserve maritime control and monitor transnational threats.
A Moment of Strategic Maturity
This is not a time for panic, but for prudence, preparation, and diplomacy. Curaçao’s position as a stable, rules-based democracy and regional logistics hub is an asset—one that must now be reinforced by smart policy choices.
Russia’s presence in the Western Hemisphere may grow, but Curaçao’s voice and role in regional stability can grow too, if we step into this new chapter with clarity and purpose.
