THE HAGUE — Dutch Member of Parliament Christine Teunissen of the Partij voor de Dieren has raised formal questions to the Dutch government about Curaçao’s acceptance of Venezuelan crude oil, suggesting the move sends a signal that economic gain is being prioritized over international law.
In written questions submitted to David van Weel, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Teunissen expressed concern after a tanker carrying Venezuelan oil recently docked at Bullenbaai awaiting temporary storage in Curaçao. The arrival of the tanker forms part of an operation to move Venezuelan oil to Caribbean terminals under international arrangements, as part of a larger plan potentially involving millions of barrels of crude being handled by traders such as Trafigura and Vitol.
Teunissen’s questions reflect mounting criticism in Europe about the geopolitical implications of storing Venezuelan crude. They include:
- Confirmation and details of the tanker’s arrival, including volumes and who ordered the shipment.
- How the Dutch government views Curaçao Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas calling the development a “big opportunity” for the island’s economy.
- Whether the Dutch government was informed beforehand.
- Whether storing Venezuelan oil risks signaling tolerance for breaches of international law tied to recent U.S. actions in Venezuela.
- Steps to prevent Dutch companies from benefiting economically from the situation.
- Whether Curaçao risks being positioned permanently as a fossil fuel transit hub — and how this aligns with climate commitments such as the Paris Agreement and EU climate goals.
- Willingness to discuss alternatives that do not rely on fossil fuel storage.
- Whether it is desirable for Curaçao to profile itself as an oil transit hub while the Netherlands promotes reductions in fossil fuel dependence.
- How facilitating Venezuelan oil storage aligns with Dutch policy on reducing reliance on fossil fuels and oil-exporting states.
The questions appear to position the Dutch government at a crossroads between geopolitical strategy, economic opportunity, and environmental commitments — particularly as Curaçao’s long-idle refinery infrastructure contrasts with renewed interest in using existing storage and logistical assets to handle Venezuelan crude.