WILLEMSTAD – The government of Curaçao has issued a formal warning to the Committee for Financial Supervision (Cft), stating that its recent public comments about the Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA) may cause financial and reputational damage to the country. In the same December 1 letter, Finance Minister Charles Cooper stresses that the CGA operates in an international sector where trust and legal certainty are essential and that irresponsible statements could jeopardize key revenue streams.
Cooper explains that implying the CGA is under criminal investigation—without verification—risks unsettling the operators and investors who contribute significantly to Curaçao’s budget. He calls the timing “ironic and highly undesirable,” given that the Cft itself monitors Curaçao’s financial stability and income projections.
The minister also questions how the Cft obtained the information, noting that if it came from the Public Prosecutor or the RST, the Cft should have immediately sought clarification before going public. If the information came from media reports or other unofficial sources, Cooper says, the Cft should have dismissed it rather than “promote rumors as fact.”
Cooper further emphasizes that matters involving alleged criminal investigations fall exclusively under the competent judicial authorities, not under the Cft. Public officials of the country, he notes, are not authorized to discuss such matters administratively or officially with the Cft or any other external institution.
The government concludes that the incident represents “a serious breach of boundaries” between financial supervision and criminal jurisdiction. Cooper urges the Cft to avoid publicly discussing integrity issues or criminal allegations unless they fall within its mandate—and only after proper consultation with the government.
The letter copies the Governor of Curaçao, the President of Parliament, the Council of Ministers, and the State Secretary for BZK, underlining the seriousness of the government’s response.