WILLEMSTAD — Curaçao’s new Governor, Mauritsz de Kort, has warned of increasing polarization within Curaçaoan society and stressed the importance of dialogue, mutual understanding, and respect for differing viewpoints in his Christmas address.
According to De Kort, societies around the world are under growing pressure from hardened divisions of opinion and conflicting interests. He pointed to international conflicts such as the war in Ukraine and the violence in Gaza, as well as developments closer to home related to Venezuela. He cautioned that such tensions do not remain distant, but can also be felt locally, undermining social cohesion within Curaçao.
The Governor noted that conflicts often escalate when individuals cling rigidly to their own sense of being right, without sufficient consideration for the circumstances and perspectives of others. Bridging divisions, he said, requires courage, empathy, and a genuine willingness to engage in dialogue—especially at times when people may feel inclined to retreat behind fixed positions.
De Kort also referred to tensions within families, in the workplace, and in public administration as reflections of broader societal divisions. He urged the people of Curaçao to use the Christmas period as a moment for reflection and to actively work toward greater understanding and cooperation in the year ahead.
He concluded his address with a call for humanity and respect to serve as the foundation for a more connected and peaceful society on Curaçao, emphasizing that these values are essential to maintaining unity in times of growing division.