WILLEMSTAD – Growing geopolitical tensions between the United States and Venezuela dominated a heated two-minute debate in the Dutch Parliament this week, as MPs pressed the government for urgent measures to safeguard the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom. The discussion reflected mounting concern in Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire about military escalations occurring close to their borders.
During the session, multiple motions were introduced emphasizing the need for transparency, crisis preparedness and firm guarantees from The Hague. The debate followed weeks of rising anxiety across the islands amid U.S. military operations against alleged Venezuelan drug-running vessels and concerns that Curaçao could become entangled in wider conflict.
GroenLinks-PvdA MP Kati Piri submitted a forceful motion calling on the Dutch government to condemn recent U.S. maritime strikes as violations of international law. The attacks, which have reportedly resulted in dozens of deaths, have been widely criticized by human rights organizations and the UN. The minister advised the House to reject the motion, saying the U.S. justice system must first complete its own review.
In a second motion, Piri urged the government not to support any U.S. military action against Venezuela without a clear mandate under international law. This request received the government’s preliminary approval.
Many MPs focused on Curaçao’s vulnerability due to its proximity to Venezuela. With U.S., Dutch and allied aircraft heavily active in regional airspace, local residents increasingly demand clear communication and emergency planning. Minister of Foreign Affairs David van Weel acknowledged these concerns and pledged to improve information channels with the islands.
ChristenUnie MP Don Ceder stressed the need for confidential intelligence-sharing with parliamentarians of Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten, arguing that elected officials in the Caribbean should not remain uninformed during potential crises. He also pushed for accelerated efforts to strengthen food security and diversify import routes, noting the risk that supply chains could be disrupted.
D66 MP Dilip Bamenga called for the rapid distribution of an emergency-preparedness booklet tailored to the Caribbean context, similar to the civil defense guide distributed in the Netherlands. He also demanded that The Hague explicitly reaffirm its obligation to defend the islands under Article 36 of the Kingdom Charter. That motion received broad political support.
JA21 MP Hoogeveen raised concerns about the islands’ limited strategic reserves of food, medicine and fuel, insisting that the government must provide a full assessment of supply vulnerabilities in case of military escalation.
The debate revealed a rare cross-party consensus: the Caribbean population feels increasingly exposed, and the Netherlands must do more to ensure their safety. Votes on the motions will take place during the next parliamentary session.