WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao should examine whether a modern version of the former position of lieutenant governor can be reintroduced to strengthen the fight against crime, improve public order, and enhance social safety. That proposal has been put forward by Omar Gill, a former candidate for the Curaçao Parliament, in a letter addressed to the Curaçao Parliament.
According to Gill, Curaçao is facing increasing pressure from various forms of criminal activity, including international drug trafficking, money laundering, home burglaries, armed robberies, and vehicle theft. He also pointed to street shootings and other violent incidents that, in his view, have contributed to a growing sense of insecurity among the population.
Against that backdrop, Gill is urging Parliament to consider whether a lieutenant governor-like position could once again play a role within the island’s governance structure.
The position of lieutenant governor existed in Curaçao prior to the constitutional reforms of October 10, 2010, when the island became an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Before that transition, the lieutenant governor served as the head of the Island Territory and held responsibilities related to public order, safety, and coordination with police and judicial authorities.
In his letter, Gill referenced former lieutenant governors such as Ornelio Martina, Elmer Wilsoe, Stanley Betrian, and Lizanne Richards-Dindial as examples of officials who fulfilled the role in the past.
Gill stressed that he is not advocating for a direct return to the pre-2010 governance model. Instead, he questioned whether the current governmental structure provides sufficient capacity and focus to coordinate security-related matters and maintain public order.
He argued that the responsibilities currently assigned to ministries are extensive and that an additional administrative authority dedicated to safety and coordination could help improve governance in these areas.
The former parliamentary candidate described his letter as an invitation to explore whether elements of the former system could be adapted to modern circumstances. He is therefore requesting that Parliament conduct an objective assessment of the possibility of creating a contemporary version of the lieutenant governor’s office, with responsibilities focused on coordination, public visibility, security, public order, and social development.
Whether lawmakers will take up the proposal remains unclear, but the suggestion is likely to spark discussion about the effectiveness of Curaçao’s current governance structure and the best ways to address growing public concerns over crime and safety.