THE HAGUE – Growing concerns over escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela have now prompted a fourth Dutch political party to demand answers from the government. After earlier parliamentary questions from GroenLinks-PvdA, D66 and ChristenUnie, Forum voor Democratie (FvD) MP Ralf Dekker has submitted written questions about “the situation in and around Venezuela and the role of the overseas parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.”
Dekker wants Ministers Van Weel (Foreign Affairs) and Rijkaart (Interior and Kingdom Relations) to clarify what risks the cabinet sees for Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten in light of the rapidly worsening geopolitical climate. He asks whether the government is fully aware of the escalating conflict between the U.S. and Venezuela and how it currently assesses the situation, specifically regarding the safety of the Dutch Caribbean islands.
The MP also requests information about ongoing communication between The Hague and the governments of Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. He wants the cabinet to explain how it evaluates the present security risks for the three autonomous countries, and, where relevant, for the special municipalities Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius.
Dekker further questions whether the cabinet has indications that rising tensions could result in migration flows toward the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom. If so, he asks what preparations are being made to deal with such developments. He also presses the ministers to detail what strategic or economic interests are at stake for the Netherlands and its overseas territories in this geopolitical conflict.
A central concern in Dekker’s inquiry is how the Netherlands can ensure it does not become an unintended party to a conflict between the U.S. and Venezuela while still guaranteeing the security of the entire Kingdom. To that end, he calls on the cabinet to send Parliament an updated risk assessment covering potential implications for security, migration, the economy and diplomatic relations.
Dekker emphasizes the urgency of the matter, urging the ministers to provide complete answers as quickly as possible given the fast-moving situation in the region.
His questions reflect growing anxiety in Dutch politics about the possible spillover effects of U.S. military actions near Venezuela, especially for the Kingdom’s islands located just off the Venezuelan coast.