WILLEMSTAD — The Ministry of Defence of the Netherlands has denied claims that the defence budget for the Caribbean has been reduced, following questions raised in the Dutch Parliament over an underspending of €10.2 million. The underspending reportedly occurred in part at the Royal Military Police and the Coast Guard Caribbean Area.
Members of Parliament expressed concern about the potential impact on security in the Caribbean region, particularly in light of the situation in Venezuela and an increase in migration flows, border incidents, and drug trafficking.
Caretaker Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans (VVD) told Parliament that the lower level of spending in 2025 was not the result of budget cuts. Instead, he attributed the underspending to favorable exchange rates for the U.S. dollar and lower fuel costs than anticipated.
Brekelmans sought to reassure lawmakers that there is no reduction in personnel at the Coast Guard. On the contrary, he said, the organization is currently in a growth phase, expanding from 240 to 320 full-time positions, although not all of these roles have yet been filled.
The Ministry of Defence further stated that it is currently able to carry out all assigned tasks in the Caribbean region and that additional capacity can be deployed if the situation requires it.
The clarification comes amid heightened attention to regional security dynamics, as developments in Venezuela and ongoing cross-border challenges continue to place pressure on defence and law enforcement services in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.