WILLEMSTAD – Two Venezuelan fruit boats docked at the floating fruit market have been ordered to leave Curaçao after authorities found violations during an inspection on Tuesday, the inspection team informed Curaçao Chronicle.
The inspection took place at the Sha Caprileskade and was carried out by a joint enforcement team consisting of Customs, the Curaçao Police Force, the Economic Inspection Department, Immigration, and the Coast Guard.
According to authorities, violations were identified involving the fruit boats Isabella 1 and Mano Yiyo. Following the inspection, the Ministry of Economic Development decided that both vessels must be removed from Curaçao. The exact nature of the violations has not yet been disclosed.
Two other fruit boats, Francisca 1 and Fiksmar, were also sanctioned. They received a two-day suspension and were not allowed to carry out activities on Monday and Tuesday.
The joint inspection team said strict measures were taken because several warnings had already been issued in the past. Authorities emphasized that violations of the applicable rules will no longer be tolerated.
The action marks a tougher enforcement approach toward fruit boat operations at the floating market, where Venezuelan traders have traditionally supplied Curaçao with fresh produce.