WILLEMSTAD – Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas says the U.S. operation against Venezuela did not come as a surprise to him, describing it as “a matter of time” before Washington would intervene against the government of President Nicolás Maduro. Pisas made the remarks in an interview on Saturday afternoon, hours after the U.S. operation in which Maduro was detained and taken out of the country.
According to Pisas, the situation is comparable to the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, when events unfolding elsewhere eventually had direct consequences for Curaçao. He said the U.S. president could not afford to lose credibility after earlier tough statements and a visible military buildup in the Caribbean region. “After that, you can’t suddenly say: I’m not going to do it after all,” Pisas said.
Concern about escalation
Pisas explained that his main concern beforehand was not whether intervention would happen, but how it would take place. A large-scale invasion of Venezuela, he said, would have had serious consequences for Curaçao and the wider region. For now, that scenario does not appear to be unfolding, but the prime minister warned that the situation could still escalate if diplomatic talks fail.
He expressed hope that the new authorities in Venezuela would be willing to engage in dialogue to prevent further steps by the United States. Without communication, Pisas warned, tensions could rise quickly.
Pressure and coordination within the Kingdom
As leader of a small island within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Pisas said he has felt considerable pressure over recent months. At the same time, he stressed the importance of close coordination within the Kingdom. Curaçao, he said, remained in constant contact with the Dutch government, including the prime minister and the ministers of Defense and Justice.
That coordination was aimed at preventing unnecessary panic. “And that worked,” Pisas stated. Daily life on the island continued, and tourism remained stable, despite concerns expressed in parts of the Dutch media about security risks in the region.
Crisis team convened
Following the U.S. operation, Pisas convened a crisis team, although he emphasized that there was formally no crisis. The meeting focused on reviewing possible scenarios and addressing practical issues, including the situation of Venezuelan nationals currently on the island.
According to Pisas, around 150 Venezuelan visitors arrived in Curaçao during the Christmas period and are now unable to return home due to the lack of air traffic. “It’s not a crisis, but it is a problem we need to solve,” he said, adding that the government wants to prevent people from becoming stranded at the airport without any clear perspective.
Crucial days ahead
The coming days are crucial, Pisas said, as Curaçao awaits the response from Venezuela. He referred to a time frame of roughly 48 hours. On Monday, consultations are scheduled with the Dutch government, including talks with Prime Minister Dick Schoof and Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel. The planned visit of Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans to Curaçao will also be discussed.
Pisas did not rule out Curaçao once again playing a role in possible evacuations, such as assisting Dutch nationals leaving Venezuela. That has happened in the past, he noted. “We are part of the Kingdom, and we have to work together.” Curaçao is one of the few locations in the region where airspace toward Venezuela remains accessible.
Neutral stance for now
For the moment, Pisas is refraining from giving a substantive judgment on the U.S. intervention itself. He said he is deliberately maintaining a neutral position and is awaiting further clarification from Washington and the U.S. Congress. “As prime minister of a neighboring country, I am for now taking shelter behind the Kingdom,” he said.
A definitive assessment will come later, once more is known about the legal and political basis of the operation. Until then, Pisas said Curaçao’s focus remains on maintaining calm, preparing for different scenarios, and strengthening cooperation within the Kingdom, while closely monitoring developments in Caracas and Washington.