WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten are not among the five most important transit points for cocaine destined for the Netherlands, according to research on international drug flows presented during the recent Four-Country Judicial Consultation (JVO) in Curaçao.
The findings provide a more balanced picture of the role of the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom in international cocaine trafficking, according to the justice ministers who participated in the meeting.
Despite the findings, authorities stressed that the fight against drug trafficking remains a priority. The Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard will continue its operations against narcotics smuggling as well as illegal migration in the Caribbean region.
The research was discussed during consultations between the justice ministers of Curaçao, Aruba, Sint Maarten and the Netherlands, who met in Curaçao to strengthen cooperation across the Kingdom's justice systems.
The four countries also reached several new agreements. One involves jointly organizing an academic conference focusing on strategies to combat and prevent juvenile crime.
The countries further agreed to extend the existing protocol governing the administrative approach to organized and undermining crime. This approach seeks to prevent criminal organizations from exploiting legitimate businesses, government structures and administrative processes.
Another priority is better coordination of capacity throughout the justice chain. The countries want available personnel and resources to be more effectively aligned across the different parts of the justice system.
Cooperation between the CAS islands — Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten — and the BES islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba will also continue in the areas of fire services, disaster response and crisis management. The existing cooperation arrangement has been extended for another three years.
The agreements form part of broader efforts to strengthen practical judicial and security cooperation between the four countries while addressing challenges that frequently cross national and territorial boundaries.
The next Four-Country Judicial Consultation is scheduled to take place in Bonaire in June 2027.