DEN HAAG – The Dutch House of Representatives says the caretaker government is providing insufficient transparency about the escalating tensions in the Caribbean region and the potential consequences for Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. That conclusion emerged Tuesday evening during a parliamentary debate with Minister of Foreign Affairs David van Weel and Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans.
The debate was prompted by recent U.S. attacks on alleged drug boats linked to Venezuela, operations that have reportedly resulted in more than eighty deaths. Lawmakers voiced concern about the legal basis of these actions and the risks they pose to the Dutch Caribbean.
Several parties, including GroenLinks–PvdA, D66 and DENK, warned that the U.S. operations may constitute violations of international law. They argued that the Netherlands should suspend the sharing of intelligence with the United States in the context of counter-narcotics operations. The Christian Union described the attacks as “dubious,” noting the close proximity of the ABC islands to Venezuela and the potential fallout for the Kingdom.
Frustration was widespread in parliament over what lawmakers called inadequate information sharing with both the islands and the House itself. JA21 MP Michiel Hoogeveen said there is growing dissatisfaction on the islands over the lack of clarity from The Hague, while multiple parties demanded to know what additional measures are being taken to safeguard the security of Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire.
The Farmer–Citizen Movement (BBB) also warned against underestimating the situation. MP Vermeer said the conflict is not a distant issue, but one that directly affects the Kingdom at its “front door.”
Tensions between the United States and Venezuela have been rising for months. According to U.S. authorities, more than twenty suspected drug vessels have been targeted in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. However, lawmakers pointed out that no concrete evidence has been publicly presented to support the drug trafficking claims.
Minister Van Weel told parliament that there is currently no acute threat to Aruba, Curaçao or Bonaire, but stressed that developments are being closely monitored in coordination with local authorities and international partners. As a precautionary measure, the Dutch naval support ship Zr.Ms. Den Helder has been deployed from the United States to the Caribbean to provide logistical support if needed.
Van Weel emphasized that there is no reason for panic and said he remains in constant contact with the islands. At the same time, MPs pressed the minister on what information the Netherlands is receiving from the United States regarding the attacks. Van Weel acknowledged that such information is lacking.
As a result, he said, the Dutch government is currently unable to determine whether international law has indeed been violated. GroenLinks–PvdA MP Kati Piri called the absence of a clear condemnation of the violence troubling. Van Weel responded that the government wants to await further investigation and reiterated that the Netherlands does not wish to become involved in U.S. military operations.