WILLEMSTAD — Transnational organized crime remains a major concern for maritime authorities, with drug and weapons trafficking continuing at high levels in the Caribbean, the Coast Guard reports in its 2026 annual plan.
Curaçao and neighboring islands remain strategically positioned along trafficking routes connecting South America with markets in North America and Europe. The Coast Guard warns that criminal networks are adapting rapidly, requiring stronger intelligence-led operations and closer international cooperation.
Illegal firearms, often smuggled by sea from Venezuela and Colombia, are of particular concern due to their direct link to violent crime and drug-related activities on the islands. The Coast Guard says suppressing these flows is critical to protecting public safety and the rule of law.