WILLEMSTAD – Rising tensions between Venezuela and the United States had a direct impact on security operations in the Caribbean region during 2025, according to the annual report of the Coast Guard for the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Caribbean.
The report states that the unstable situation in Venezuela and increased military activity by the United States created a more complex security environment around the ABC islands.
According to the Coast Guard, the United States significantly increased its military presence in the region through “Operation Southern Spear,” aimed at monitoring developments involving Venezuela.
Because of Curaçao’s geographic location close to Venezuela, the Coast Guard said the situation had potential direct and indirect consequences for the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The report notes that Dutch ministries, including Defense and Foreign Affairs, closely monitored developments throughout the year together with the governments of Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten.
The Coast Guard stated it remained alert for possible border violations, refugee flows and other regional security risks while attempting to maintain normal maritime law enforcement operations.
Despite the tensions, the Coast Guard reported that it did not observe a major increase in undocumented migrants arriving by sea from Venezuela during 2025.
The organization also emphasized that it was not involved “in any form” in the U.S. military operation Southern Spear.