WILLEMSTAD – The annual military exercise Barracuda Warrior has officially begun in Curaçao, bringing together multiple defense units from across the Caribbean region for joint training operations, according to Defense sources.
The exercise includes participation from the Marine Squadron Caribbean based in Aruba, the Marine Detachment Sint Maarten from Sint Maarten, the Boat Platoon of Curaçao, units of the Koninklijke Landmacht, and local Curaçao military personnel.
Training activities are taking place at various locations across the island, including the Wacao military training grounds, Koraal Tabak, the former hospital building in Otrobanda, and the area surrounding Playa Kanoa.
During the exercise, troops are practicing a range of scenarios both at sea and on land. The focus includes operations in urban environments, live-fire drills, and responses to both planned and unexpected threats. According to Defense officials, the objective is to simulate realistic conditions that reflect potential deployments within the Caribbean region.
Barracuda Warrior is a recurring exercise designed to strengthen operational readiness and enhance cooperation among different branches of the armed forces and local units. The exercise is conducted under the responsibility of the Koninklijke Marine and forms part of the broader defense mission in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.