WILLEMSTAD – Minister of Justice Shalten Hato has met with representatives of the Chinese business community in Curaçao following a series of robberies targeting Asian-owned businesses, as concerns continue to grow over violent crime and the safety of local entrepreneurs.
The meeting brought together the minister, representatives of the Chinese Business Association Curaçao and the Curaçao Chinese Community Club, along with the management team of the Curaçao Police Force (KPC).
Minister of Justice Hato receiving the representatives of the Chinese community
According to Hato, the discussions focused on crime prevention, security measures, and closer cooperation between law enforcement authorities and the Chinese community.
The minister confirmed that concrete agreements were reached to improve security, although he did not disclose the specific measures or provide a timetable for their implementation.
The meeting follows several robberies involving minimarkets and other retail establishments across Curaçao. Local newspaper Extra reported on October 20 that robberies targeting minimarkets were continuing, highlighting the security challenges facing business owners.
Minister Promises More Arrests
Hato emphasized that the Curaçao Police Force is actively investigating the recent robberies and expressed confidence that additional suspects will be apprehended.
Vice Consul Tony Wang during meeting with Minister of Justice
According to the minister, police investigators are continuing their efforts to identify those responsible for the attacks on businesses.
He assured the community that further arrests are expected as the investigations progress.
The minister's statement comes amid broader public concern about robberies, firearm-related incidents, and other violent crimes affecting residents and businesses.
Earlier this month, police reported arrests connected to robbery investigations, including the October 8 arrest of a 33-year-old suspect in connection with a robbery committed in the Kaya Lando area in July. Two other men were also arrested after officers reportedly discovered suspected stolen property during a vehicle inspection.
Those arrests were not identified as being connected to the recent robberies targeting Asian-owned establishments.
Chinese Entrepreneurs Play Major Role in Local Economy
The concerns raised by the Chinese business community are particularly significant given the number of retail businesses operated by Chinese entrepreneurs in Curaçao.
According to an October 18 report by Curaçao.nu, an estimated 300 to 400 supermarkets on the island are operated by entrepreneurs of Chinese descent.
The same report cited estimates from the Chinese business community placing the Chinese population in Curaçao between 6,000 and 7,000 people.
Many of these businesses are family-operated establishments that form an important part of neighborhood commerce and provide residents with convenient access to groceries and other essential products.
Repeated robberies can create security concerns not only for business owners and employees but also for customers who frequent these establishments.
Growing Pressure for Stronger Security Measures
The meeting takes place as the government's response to crime has become a subject of increasing public and political attention.
Opposition party MAN has requested an urgent parliamentary meeting with Minister Hato to discuss the security situation, police resources, and the government's strategy for addressing violent crime.
Questions have also been raised about police visibility, the availability of patrol vehicles, and the effectiveness of preventive measures.
The Curaçao Chronicle recently addressed these concerns in an editorial calling for more regular public communication from the government about its crime prevention strategy and the results of police operations.
The meeting with Chinese community representatives represents an effort by the Ministry of Justice to establish more direct communication with business owners who have expressed concerns about their safety.
However, the minister has not yet publicly explained whether the agreements include additional police patrols, improved surveillance, faster emergency response procedures, or other security initiatives.
Cooperation Between Police and Business Owners
Hato stressed that cooperation between law enforcement authorities and the business community is essential to combating crime.
By maintaining direct contact with organizations representing Chinese entrepreneurs, authorities hope to strengthen prevention efforts and improve coordination when security incidents occur.
The minister reiterated his commitment to working toward a safer Curaçao and assured business owners that police investigations into the recent robberies are continuing.
For the affected entrepreneurs, the next important question will be how quickly the agreements reached during the meeting translate into visible security improvements.
No figures were provided on the number of Asian-owned businesses robbed in recent weeks, the financial losses involved, or the number of suspects arrested specifically in connection with those incidents.