WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao is set to receive approximately US$30 million from the United States following a restitution agreement connected to the Bientu criminal case. However, the funds will not be available for general government spending. Instead, the agreement requires the money to be deposited into a dedicated Crime Fund and used for specific projects aimed at strengthening law enforcement, crime prevention, juvenile rehabilitation, and public safety.
The agreement was signed in Washington, D.C., on September 17, 2026, by Curaçao Minister of Justice Shalten Hato and U.S. Deputy Assistant Attorney General Jennifer A.H. Hodge.
In a letter dated September 23, 2026, Hato informed the President and members of the Curaçao Parliament about the agreement. The correspondence was received by Parliament on October 20.
The restitution concerns assets forfeited in the United States in connection with the Bientu investigation. The agreement identifies approximately US$29,737,963.37 in recovered funds associated with assets linked to Ponsford Overseas Limited, Caribbean Investment Group Ltd., and Tula Finance Ltd.
The American government agreed to transfer part of these recovered assets to Curaçao in recognition of the island's assistance in the investigation.
The agreement specifies a transfer of US$29,737,963.37, less any applicable fees.
Money to Be Transferred in Three Installments
Rather than receiving the entire amount immediately, Curaçao will obtain the money through three separate transfers.
The first installment, approximately US$5 million, is expected to be transferred within 30 days after the agreement becomes effective.
A second installment of approximately US$20 million is expected after the first tranche has been spent in accordance with the agreement and the required financial reports and audits have been completed.
The third installment, approximately US$4.74 million, will follow once Curaçao has satisfied the reporting and accountability requirements for the second tranche.
The agreement therefore establishes a direct relationship between the release of funds and the government's ability to demonstrate that previous installments have been properly managed.
Strict Financial Oversight
One of the most significant aspects of the agreement is the oversight mechanism imposed on the use of the recovered money.
Curaçao must establish a separate account within the Crime Fund to receive and administer the restitution.
The Stichting Overheidsaccountantsbureau (SOAB) will be responsible for internal auditing and financial oversight.
Under the agreement, SOAB must continuously monitor financial activities involving the recovered funds, ensure compliance with international standards, and verify that expenditures are consistent with the authorized purposes.
The agency must also have access to financial records, contracts, bank accounts, and other documentation related to the use of the funds.
SOAB will prepare quarterly financial reports covering expenditures, activities, and progress.
These reports must be provided to Curaçao and the United States through designated contact persons.
In addition, an external auditor must conduct an annual independent audit.
The audit will examine whether expenses and revenues have been properly recorded, whether internal financial controls are adequate, and whether the funds have been spent in accordance with applicable laws and the agreement.
Curaçao will bear the costs of these auditing arrangements from the recovered funds.
Public Disclosure Required
The agreement also contains transparency provisions intended to allow the public to monitor how the restitution money is used.
Curaçao must publish the agreement and its financial reporting documents on the websites of the Crime Fund and the Ministry of Justice.
Quarterly reports must be made publicly available within 30 days after submission to the relevant authorities.
The same requirement applies to annual audit reports.
These provisions mean that the public should eventually be able to examine how the money is allocated, which projects receive funding, and whether expenditures comply with the agreement.
Funds Cannot Be Used for Political Campaigns
The agreement expressly prohibits the use of the recovered money for the benefit of political parties, political candidates, government officials, or their families.
The funds must also be used for legitimate law enforcement and crime prevention purposes.
The United States expects Curaçao to take reasonable steps to prevent the money from benefiting individuals or organizations involved in the underlying forfeiture proceedings.
The agreement identifies the Crime Fund as the mechanism through which approved projects will be financed.
The authorized purposes include police modernization, juvenile rehabilitation, combating human trafficking, community crime prevention, and other strategic justice initiatives.
For Curaçao, the restitution represents a substantial financial opportunity to strengthen public safety institutions without relying entirely on the ordinary government budget.
However, the agreement makes clear that receiving the full amount will depend on compliance with strict financial management, auditing, and reporting requirements.
The arrangement will remain in effect until the recovered funds have been disbursed and the required accountability procedures have been completed.