WILLEMSTAD – Dutch Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans has refused to comment on reports surrounding the escape of Venezuelan opposition figure and Nobel Prize laureate María Machado and any possible involvement of Curaçao. Speaking to the press at Marinebasis Parera, Brekelmans repeatedly stressed that the operation in question was a classified action carried out by the United States.
According to the minister, any further disclosure rests solely with U.S. authorities. He stated that it was not his role to provide details about what he described as a secret American operation, particularly given the serious personal risks faced by Machado. Despite persistent questions from journalists referring to media reports suggesting that Machado may have fled by boat to Curaçao and later departed via Hato International Airport, Brekelmans maintained his refusal to confirm or deny those claims.
When asked whether the Netherlands still lacks clarity weeks later on whether Machado had been on Curaçaoan territory, the minister reiterated that secrecy applies equally in this case. He remarked that the Netherlands would likewise expect other countries not to comment if it were conducting a covert operation of its own. When it was pointed out that Curaçao is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Brekelmans responded light-heartedly that he was being pressed to make statements he could not make.
Earlier in the day, Brekelmans emphasized that his visit to the Caribbean part of the Kingdom had been scheduled well in advance and that its timing alongside recent regional developments was coincidental. He said, however, that the visit provided a useful opportunity to review the past days with local authorities. The minister underlined that there had been no direct threat from Venezuela toward Curaçao or the other islands, and that this assessment remains unchanged.
Brekelmans also clarified that while the Netherlands continues to cooperate with the United States in regular counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean, it is not involved in the U.S. national operation known as Southern Spear.
Responding to questions about possible additional defence investments in light of developments related to Venezuela, the minister said that planned investments are already underway, including in air radar capabilities and air defence systems. He stressed that these projects were approved prior to the current situation and will continue as planned. According to Brekelmans, no decisions have been taken at this stage on further, additional defence spending.