Curaçao stands at a critical moment in its modern history. Our island, rich in culture, resilience, and creativity, continues to face challenges that go far beyond our shores. While we debate pensions, public services, and local reforms, the way Curaçao is perceived internationally weighs heavily on our future prosperity.
For too long, Curaçao has been tied to an image of financial secrecy and weak oversight. Our online gambling sector, once hailed as an engine of growth, has instead become a source of international scrutiny. Reports linking Curaçao’s licenses to fraudulent practices, poor consumer protections, and a lack of transparency have damaged our reputation abroad. In today’s interconnected world, reputational harm translates into real economic consequences: stricter banking measures, heightened regulatory attention, and reduced investor confidence.
The same applies to governance. Whether it is the slow pace of implementing human rights conventions, concerns about rule of law, or the perception that political interests outweigh the public good, Curaçao is often portrayed as reluctant to meet international standards. These impressions undermine our credibility and make it harder to attract the partnerships and investments we so urgently need.
Yet, Curaçao is not without solutions. We have the tools, the institutions, and above all, the people capable of change. Transparency must no longer be treated as a burden but as a foundation for growth. Reforming our gambling framework, modernizing our financial oversight, and addressing governance gaps are not boxes to be checked for outside observers; they are essential steps for restoring the confidence of our citizens and the respect of our international partners.
Equally important is how we present ourselves. Curaçao must stop being defined by the problems we fail to solve and start being recognized for the integrity of the solutions we embrace. We have the chance to build a new image — not of a jurisdiction clinging to outdated models, but of an island nation determined to protect its people, respect international commitments, and lead in areas such as sustainable tourism, renewable energy, and cultural innovation.
The road ahead will not be easy, but inaction is no longer an option. Curaçao is at a crossroads: we either take responsibility, reform boldly, and regain trust, or we risk being left behind, viewed internationally as a place unwilling or unable to rise above its challenges.
For the sake of our future, and the generations that follow, Curaçao must choose change.
