The United States has once again drawn our islands into its strategic orbit — and the Netherlands could not say no.
The recent visit of Dutch Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans was not a routine courtesy call. It was a mission with a clear purpose: to assess the readiness of military units on our islands and to determine how quickly and professionally they could be deployed if required.
During his visit, Brekelmans reviewed the operational status of Curaçao’s military units (CurMil), Aruba’s AruMil, and the Dutch military presence on Bonaire. The objective was unmistakable: to ensure that these forces can be rapidly activated from their barracks to protect borders and respond to potential escalation scenarios.
This inspection did not come out of thin air. It was carried out at the request of the United States, following a formal request from United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), headquartered in Florida.
Front line, not the sidelines
Based on documents now in circulation, it has become clear that for some time the U.S. National Security Strategy has identified our geographic position as critical. Within SOUTHCOM’s operational planning, the ABC islands are explicitly considered part of the first line in any potential operation in the Caribbean — particularly those related to Venezuela.
The document in question dates from November 2025, less than two months ago, and bears the signature of U.S. President Donald Trump. It places heavy emphasis on the Western Hemisphere, especially the Caribbean, and outlines expectations that partners within SOUTHCOM — including the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and France — assume greater responsibility than before, acting more actively and in closer alignment with Washington’s objectives.
This development has placed the Netherlands in a strategic bind and, by extension, pushed the ABC islands into a role that increasingly resembles that of a launch platform and front line. This is not theoretical; it is something we have already begun to experience in recent months.
The shift over the past year has drawn us ever closer into U.S. involvement vis-à-vis Venezuela.
Time for honesty
The uncomfortable truth is this: if independent observers and journalists can access and analyze these documents, then our political leaders certainly can — and must — have done so as well.
That is why it is no longer acceptable to maintain the illusion of neutrality.
We urge our leaders to tell the people the truth. Curaçao is not neutral. Aruba is not neutral. Bonaire is not neutral. Pretending otherwise does not protect us; it only leaves the population uninformed and unprepared.
As the saying goes in Papiamentu, “pik pia ta bisa i ta konfabulá” — empty talk and wishful thinking do not change reality.
And the reality is clear:
Our islands are already on the front line.