THE HAGUE – The Dutch government has warned that Curaçao and the other Caribbean parts of the Kingdom remain highly vulnerable to geopolitical tensions, international trade disruptions and fragile maritime supply chains.
The warning appears in a cabinet response sent by State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Eric van der Burg to the Dutch Parliament following the February 2026 Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO) held in Aruba.
According to the Dutch government, the Caribbean islands are heavily dependent on imported goods and food products, with approximately half or more of imports originating from the United States. The cabinet stated that recent changes in U.S. trade policy and unrest surrounding the Strait of Hormuz earlier this year exposed the vulnerability of the islands’ maritime logistics systems.
The report also points to recent tensions between the United States and Venezuela, stating that geopolitical developments have shown how quickly regional instability can directly affect the accessibility, supply chains and economic stability of the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.
In response, the Dutch government confirmed that Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, St. Eustatius, Saba and ministries in the Netherlands are now jointly monitoring the situation through a dedicated working group.
The cabinet also announced that studies are underway into trade diversification, stronger regional connections and improving the economic and logistical resilience of the islands to reduce dependence on vulnerable international supply routes.