THE HAGUE — The recent arrival of a Venezuelan oil tanker in Curaçao has sparked political scrutiny in the Netherlands, with concerns raised that the decision to accept and store crude may prioritize economic benefits over adherence to international principles.
In a set of written parliamentary questions, Dutch MP Christine Teunissen challenges the Dutch government to explain its position on the situation, which includes plans to temporarily store Venezuelan crude oil at facilities on the Caribbean island under U.S.-led export arrangements. The ship MV Regina — and possibly additional tankers — has arrived at the island’s Bullenbaai oil terminal, where storage infrastructure has been identified as a logistical hub in the reorientation of Venezuelan exports.
Teunissen, representing the Party for the Animals, expressed clear concern that Curaçao’s involvement in handling Venezuelan oil could be interpreted as condoning a situation tied to recent geopolitical developments in the region — including U.S. military and sanctions actions targeting Venezuelan oil exports. These developments have included a shift in U.S. sanctions policy and directives for oil trading companies to market Venezuelan crude, backed by licensing for firms such as Vitol and Trafigura to move millions of barrels of oil into Caribbean storage hubs.
Among her key questions are whether the Dutch government was informed beforehand, how it views Curaçao’s positioning as a potential fossil fuel transit hub, and whether this aligns with broader Dutch and EU climate objectives aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Teunissen also questioned whether Dutch companies might economically benefit from the arrangement and what steps the government will take to promote alternative economic paths that do not hinge on fossil fuel storage. These concerns underscore growing debate in The Hague over how small territories within the Kingdom are navigating complex global energy and geopolitical pressures.
While Curaçao officials — including Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas — have publicly described the development as a positive economic opportunity, critics in the Dutch parliament see it as part of a broader strategic puzzle that raises questions about legality, environmental alignment and the future direction of Caribbean energy logistics.