WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao has begun a major gun amnesty campaign allowing residents to turn in illegal firearms anonymously in exchange for a reward of up to 750 guilders. The initiative aims to reduce escalating gun violence and disrupt the growing circulation of illegal weapons within criminal networks.
Authorities stress that participants are fully protected: no questions are asked, no personal information is collected, and all surrendered weapons will be destroyed.
The amnesty program is part of a broader regional security strategy that includes expanded investigative efforts, targeted operations in high-risk neighborhoods, preventive stop-and-search actions, and a public awareness campaign aimed at discouraging gun possession and violence.
In addition to the buy-back program, the government is strengthening its anonymous tip system. Through hotline 108, citizens can confidentially report information about illegal firearms or gun-related activity. If a tip leads to a seizure or arrest, the caller is eligible for a monetary reward.
Authorities say the combination of community cooperation, prevention, and enforcement is essential to curbing the island’s rising levels of armed violence.