THE HAGUE - Dutch caretaker minister of Interior and Kingdom Relations Frank Rijkaart says the Netherlands is preparing for “all possible scenarios” as U.S. military operations intensify around Venezuela. Speaking on the Dutch program WNL Op Zondag, the BBB minister warned that Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao cannot assume they will remain untouched by escalating geopolitical tensions.
“We cannot think everything is calm for the islands,” Rijkaart said. “We are watching everything happening there with great concern. It is not the intention that the islands get pulled into Trump’s plans. The islands are so close that they can see every movement of military power in the area.”
Impact on Aviation Still Uncertain
Rijkaart noted that U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration that Venezuelan airspace should be considered “closed” may affect air traffic to the ABC islands. The region lies only a short distance from Venezuela’s coastline, putting it directly in the vicinity of U.S. naval deployments and increased military activity.
For now, however, KLM, TUI, and Corendon — the Dutch carriers serving the Caribbean part of the Kingdom — say they see no reason to adjust their flight schedules. All three airlines have already stopped flying through Venezuelan airspace as a precaution.
Kingdom Monitoring Situation Closely
Rijkaart stressed that the Dutch government is maintaining constant communication with the islands’ authorities and monitoring developments “with sharp eyes.” The minister emphasized that safeguarding the safety and stability of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao remains a top priority.
As U.S.–Venezuela tensions continue to increase, the Kingdom of the Netherlands is bracing for potential ripple effects in the southern Caribbean region.