WASHINGTON, WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao’s strategic relevance in the Caribbean is set to increase under the United States’ newly published National Security Strategy, which places renewed emphasis on securing the Western Hemisphere against foreign influence, instability, and transnational threats.
While the document does not mention Curaçao by name, its geographic location near Venezuela, its role as a maritime and aviation hub, and its proximity to major energy and shipping routes place the island squarely within the strategy’s focus area. The United States explicitly states its intention to prevent non-hemispheric powers from gaining control over strategic assets such as ports, energy infrastructure, and transportation hubs in the region.
The strategy further calls for expanded U.S. Coast Guard and naval presence to secure sea lanes, combat drug trafficking, and respond rapidly to regional crises. Historically, these operations have had direct operational overlap with the southern Caribbean, including waters surrounding Curaçao.
The document also signals a reassessment of U.S. military positioning in the hemisphere, prioritizing access to “strategically important locations.” Analysts note that this language aligns closely with Curaçao’s longstanding role in regional security architecture and Kingdom defense planning.
Taken together, the strategy suggests that Curaçao will increasingly be viewed not only as a tourism destination, but as a strategic node in regional security, logistics, and geopolitical stability.