WILLEMSTAD – More than 25 percent of positions within Curaçao Customs remain vacant, creating serious obstacles to the modernization of border controls and the implementation of new security procedures.
The staffing shortage is highlighted in an independent evaluation by Dutch research firm DSP-groep, which examined a Netherlands-funded border security improvement program implemented in Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten between February 2021 and December 2025.
The report, commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, indicates that personnel shortages remain one of the most significant barriers to strengthening Curaçao's border security institutions.
According to the researchers, the high number of vacancies makes it difficult for Customs to introduce new working methods, implement improved control systems, and retain knowledge acquired through training and cooperation with Dutch specialists.
The Netherlands has invested in personnel, equipment, training, and other facilities since the program began in 2021.
On Curaçao, these investments have contributed to the introduction of drones, surveillance cameras, and an electronic passport control system.
Operational procedures have also improved, while cooperation between border security agencies at Curaçao International Airport has intensified.
The evaluation identifies these developments as important achievements that have strengthened the operational capabilities of the agencies involved.
However, the researchers emphasize that modern equipment and improved procedures cannot compensate for a persistent shortage of qualified personnel.
The situation also affects the ability of local organizations to take full advantage of available Dutch assistance.
Training programs and joint operational assignments are intended to transfer expertise to Curaçao's border security personnel. Yet the limited availability of local employees means that these opportunities cannot always be used effectively.
The evaluation further reveals that some financial resources allocated to the program remain unused.
Funds intended for equipment, training, and other operational improvements have not always been spent because the participating organizations lack sufficient personnel to prepare projects, conduct procurement procedures, and oversee implementation.
This creates a situation in which financial support is available but the administrative and operational capacity required to use it effectively is insufficient.
The report also identifies difficulties in decision-making between the Netherlands and the Caribbean countries.
Changes in political leadership, limited authority within coordinating bodies, and personnel shortages have contributed to delays in implementing certain activities.
These problems affect all three Caribbean countries participating in the program, although their severity differs from island to island.
For Curaçao, the findings highlight a fundamental challenge: strengthening border security requires more than purchasing equipment or receiving temporary assistance from Dutch agencies.
The researchers stress that recruiting and retaining qualified local personnel is essential if Customs and other border organizations are to maintain and further develop the improvements already achieved.
Without addressing these structural shortages, Curaçao risks remaining dependent on Dutch assistance despite years of investment in modernizing its border security operations.