WILLEMSTAD - The first reactions came from the opposition party PAR and the extra-parliamentary party PIN to the Russian attack in Ukraine, now MAN, PNP and TpK are also stirring. Most explicitly reject the invasion. But there are also concerns about geopolitical developments.
Rennox Calmes of Trabou pa Kòrsou (TpK) believes that Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas (of the largest governing party MFK) should let the world know on behalf of the Country of Curaçao that Curaçao is an island of peace. According to TpK, the Netherlands is causing problems for Curaçao when it comes to relations with neighboring Venezuela.
“The world must know that the Netherlands is not Curaçao”, or as it is put in Papiamento by TpK: “Nos no ta nan” (We are not them). “The Netherlands does not know how Russia will react to the military assistance of Ukraine by the Netherlands.
In a broadcast by the British broadcaster BBC, Russia clearly states that whoever interferes will suffer the consequences "as never experienced before". So, we must let it be known worldwide that we are an island of peace and not interfere in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.”
What Calmes is concerned about is that the relationship between the Netherlands and the Caribbean islands is not well understood internationally – it is thought that all islands fall under the Netherlands or are Dutch – and that The Hague's actions could have serious consequences for Curaçao. Venezuela (read: President Nicolás Maduro) has a good relationship with Putin of Russia, he notes.
Former Prime Minister Eugene Rhuggenaath recognized Juan Guaidó as Venezuela's president at the time. To this day, Maduro is the president. With the recognition of Guaidó, Curaçao has taken a position as an ally of the United States. With that, we dropped Venezuela, which has worsened the relationship. The US has also let us down when it comes to the oil industry," according to the geopolitical outline of one-man faction TpK.
PAR and PIN in particular pointed to the socio-economic impacts, especially related to oil and gas, and tourism. PAR wants answers from the prime minister in parliament; whether there has already been contact with Foreign Affairs, with the Netherlands, and whether instructions have been received and what the role of the Minister Plenipotentiary in The Hague is in this regard.
It bothers Calmes, he writes, that Ukraine is being helped by the Netherlands (militarily) without making any demands in return, but that the Netherlands is doing so with the (financial) support to Curaçao in connection with the Caribbean Organization for Reform and Development (COHO).
The coalition faction PNP, through Parliamentarian Gwendell Mercelina, also refers to Russia's threats to 'those who interfere with the country' and the role of the Netherlands in this. He wants to get answers from Premier Pisas in parliament on the following questions:
“Is the military threat from Russia in Ukraine a risk to the citizens of Curaçao? What consequences does this war have for the Caribbean countries within the Kingdom? Will a geopolitical analysis be made of this? Are there Caribbean Dutch people present in one of the countries that are at war with each other? Is there any insight into the socio-economic impact of the conflict? How are the risks for Curaçao estimated, given our geographical location? Are we sufficiently prepared for the (negative socio-economic) effects? Are we prepared for cyber attacks? Is there a possibility that we can also be represented in the Foreign Affairs Council or other committees in the Netherlands that monitor developments? And how solidarity should we be with the Netherlands and contribute to the aid that is offered to Ukraine?”
The MAN party describes that international treaties are being violated by Russia in Ukraine. “The party's social-democratic ideology rejects Russia's attack and we stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. We call on the people of Russia to demand that they live in peace with neighboring Ukraine and on the government of Russia to cease all military activities,” MAN said.
Maduro reaffirms 'strong support' for Putin
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro expressed his "firm support" for the "special military operation" in Ukraine in a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin said. The German broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported on this.
Maduro expressed strong support for Russia's key actions, condemned the destabilizing activities of the United States and NATO and emphasized the importance of fighting the campaign of lies and disinformation launched by Western countries, a statement Kremlin said. The contact between the two presidents was on "initiative of the Venezuelan side".
According to the statement from Moscow, both leaders also discussed issues of bilateral strategic association and the implementation of joint projects and agreed to continue contacts at different levels, the communiqué concluded.
Maduro expressed "all his support" to his Russian counterpart Putin last week. He did so during a national speech that was broadcast on TV. And even before the invasion of Ukraine, Maduro declared to ratify “the path of strong military cooperation” with Russia.
"We are going to expand all preparation, training and cooperation plans with a military force in the world like Russia," the Venezuelan leader said from the Miraflores presidential palace.