WILLEMSTAD - The presence of asbestos in Sentro Pro Arte has been formally known to the Stichting Schouwburg Curaçao since March 2016, according to an asbestos inventory report conducted that year. The report identified several applications of chrysotile asbestos inside the building — yet this information was never made public, nor did it lead to structural safety measures, public warnings, or restricted access to the site.
The revelation raises urgent questions about transparency, oversight, and Curaçao’s ability to protect public health as the building burned multiple times and remained openly accessible for years.
Asbestos Risk Known Before First Major Fire
The March 2016 asbestos inventory was completed months before the first major fire in September 2016. Immediately after that fire, air-quality tests were carried out to detect possible asbestos release — indicating that the foundation was fully aware of the material’s presence.
At the time, local reporting heavily speculated about asbestos contamination, but the foundation did not disclose that it already possessed formal documentation confirming the risk.
Years of Open Access, Repeated Fires, and No Public Warning
Following fires in 2016, 2018, and 2021, the damaged structure remained unsecured. Social media videos show young people and other trespassers entering the ruins freely.
To date, it is unclear:
whether security measures were taken
whether the site was monitored
whether remediation or containment plans were ever drafted
how many people may have been exposed to asbestos released during fires or through physical deterioration
Authorities have not provided answers.
Demolition Announced in 2024, But Still No Mention of Earlier Asbestos Report
In December 2024, the government announced that Sentro Pro Arte would be demolished. Even then, the earlier asbestos findings from 2016 were not mentioned, despite their clear relevance to worker and public safety.
A new asbestos investigation was only requested in early 2025, possibly triggered by instructions from the Labour Inspectorate during demolition preparations. Public statements at the time suggested that asbestos was discovered only recently, contradicting the existence of the 2016 report.
It remains unclear whether the earlier documentation played any role in the demolition tender process.
Legal Framework Lacks Safeguards
Curaçao currently has only an asbestos import ban (Landsbesluit Invoerverbod Asbest, 2008). There is:
no legal requirement to conduct an asbestos inventory before renovation or demolition
no standardized procedures for safe asbestos removal
inconsistent practices that may expose workers, nearby residents, and visitors to health risks
This legal gap makes the Sentro Pro Arte case even more concerning.
Broader Questions About Transparency and Safety
The handling of Sentro Pro Arte reflects deeper systemic issues:
How often do agencies fail to share crucial safety information?
Are asbestos inventories conducted and acted upon in other aging buildings?
What responsibilities do foundations, government bodies, and regulators bear when known risks remain unaddressed?
With several major renovation and demolition projects expected in the coming years, these questions are growing increasingly urgent.
An Unresolved Public Health Issue
Demolition of Sentro Pro Arte began last week, and residents were notified. But what remains missing is a full accounting of the building’s asbestos history and an explanation of why known risks were not disclosed to the public for nearly a decade.
The 2016 documents, combined with recent findings, point to unresolved concerns regarding:
the foundation’s responsibility
government oversight
the safety of workers and residents from 2016 to 2025
Answering these questions is crucial to determining whether authorities acted in compliance with legal obligations, public-health standards, and basic principles of transparency.
For now, the asbestos story behind Sentro Pro Arte is far from closed — and the public deserves clarity.