THE HAGUE - The connection of Curacao with the so-called Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the United States offers the country purely economic benefits.
This is apparent from the answer from Foreign Minister Stef Blok to critical questions from the parliamentary factions of the Dutch parties D66 and the SP about the Kingdom Act that should make it possible that the agreement that Aruba and Sint Maarten already entered into with the US in 2012 will also apply for Curacao. SOFA contains rules for the presence of US defense personnel on the territory of countries in the Kingdom.
Blok points out that the training facilities on Curacao offer more options than those on Aruba and Sint Maarten. If the US can use Curacao more often as a training location, this will lead to more income for the country and spending at local suppliers, shops and restaurants. The same applies to fleet visits.
The minister bends over the fact that the Americans are not allowed free access: permission from the Curacao authorities is required for each visit. The fact that SOFA does not apply to Curacao made it difficult in September 2017 to deploy American soldiers from Curacao, for the benefit of American civilians who were present on Sint Maarten and had to be evacuated.
Blok strongly contradicts that Curacao's desire to join the agreement would have something to do with the current situation in Venezuela or the alleged intention of the US to intervene militarily.