THE HAGUE – A long-standing gap in the Kingdom’s security structure came under scrutiny during a parliamentary debate on rising tensions in the Caribbean. Several MPs questioned why elected representatives from Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten are excluded from intelligence briefings dealing with threats that directly affect their populations.
ChristenUnie MP Don Ceder noted that the chairs of the five largest Dutch parties sit on the Parliamentary Intelligence Committee, granting them regular classified updates. However, Caribbean parliamentarians receive no such access, even when threats involve their own airspace or territorial waters.
Ceder submitted a motion asking the government to explore structural ways to share relevant classified information with Caribbean lawmakers. He argued that security threats do not distinguish between European and Caribbean parts of the Kingdom and that democratic oversight must reflect that reality. The minister declined to support the motion for now, suggesting the discussion should take place in an upcoming intelligence committee debate.
The issue has gained urgency as U.S. military operations near Venezuelan waters intensify and unidentified aircraft have been repeatedly observed near the ABC-islands. Local governments have complained that they often learn of foreign military movements only afterward.
MPs across parties said that without proper information-sharing, Caribbean leaders cannot prepare for crises or reassure their populations.
The debate ended without a final resolution, but with growing political pressure for a structural change in how the Kingdom treats security information relevant to its Caribbean citizens.