THE HAGUE – The outgoing Dutch government has decided not to introduce sanctions against Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten if they fail to repay their Dutch loans on time. The decision follows an evaluation of the Kingdom’s financial supervision conducted by SEO Economic Research covering the period 2016–2022.
State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Eddie van Marum stated that imposing fines or other punitive measures could further weaken the financial position of the Caribbean countries. Instead, he emphasized the importance of maintaining constructive cooperation within the Kingdom.
The SEO report concludes that the current financial supervision system has contributed to stable public finances in the Caribbean countries. However, it also highlights that future agreements must better account for unforeseen external shocks—such as natural disasters and pandemics—which can derail even the most carefully planned budgets.
The Dutch government’s shift in position suggests a move toward more flexibility within the Kingdom’s financial framework, with an emphasis on long-term economic resilience rather than strict punitive enforcement.