WILLEMSTAD – Dutch military units are prepared to provide assistance to the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands within two or three days if required, outgoing Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans said Wednesday during a press moment on Curaçao.
Brekelmans explained that the forces stationed in the region can support tasks such as supply and logistical assistance should the need arise. Currently, approximately 1,000 military personnel and two ships are deployed around the six islands that make up the Kingdom’s Caribbean territories. The presence of these ships means the Dutch military can offer short-term support in resupplying the islands if necessary.
In addition to naval assets, Brekelmans said there are also aircraft on standby that could be deployed within a few days to provide assistance, including transporting supplies.
“We are also prepared for a possible more military scenario,” the minister said, while expressing his expectation that no action will come from Venezuela. He added that there is good communication with the governments of Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire on these matters. “We must ensure that we communicate in the same way,” Brekelmans said, emphasizing coordinated messaging with local leaders.
Brekelmans’ remarks come amid ongoing regional security discussions, including questions about Dutch cooperation with U.S. counter-narcotics efforts and the broader security landscape in the Caribbean. The Dutch armed forces’ current deployment includes marine units and support vessels that operate mainly for security, surveillance, and supply roles under the defence framework for the Kingdom’s Caribbean territories.
The minister’s comments underscore the Netherlands’ commitment to the safety and logistical resilience of the Dutch Caribbean, while stressing that the current assessment does not identify an immediate threat to the islands’ security.
No specific trigger conditions were discussed publicly for when the standby assistance would be activated, but the minister’s statement reassures that readiness and coordination with local authorities remain a priority.