WILLEMSTAD, ORANJESTAD – The Netherlands played no role in the recent United States military operation against Venezuela, and the Forward Operating Locations (FOL) on Aruba and Curaçao were not used for any military actions directed at the South American country. That clarification was given on Monday by Dutch Minister of Defense Ruben Brekelmans during a press briefing in Aruba.
According to Brekelmans, the actions carried out by the United States in and around Venezuela, including operations against suspected vessels at sea, are strictly national U.S. operations. “The Netherlands, and the Kingdom as a whole, are not involved in these actions,” the minister stressed.
Responding to questions about the possible use of FOL facilities on Aruba and Curaçao, Brekelmans emphasized that existing agreements with the United States are limited to cooperation in counter-narcotics operations. Any request related to the U.S. operation Southern Spear or other military actions against Venezuela would be rejected. “For such operations, our facilities are not available,” he said.
The minister added that cooperation with the United States remains possible in other areas, such as routine logistics or resupply, but only after careful Dutch review. “In those cases, we assess the purpose and whether it fits within the existing agreements,” Brekelmans explained.
Regional impact felt immediately
Aruba is the first stop on Brekelmans’ working visit to Aruba, Sint Maarten, Curaçao and Bonaire, during which he is meeting with defense units and assessing their readiness in the region. The visit comes shortly after the U.S. operation in which Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were taken from their residence and detained.
The developments last Saturday had an immediate and tangible impact on the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. Following reports of the U.S. action, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued a Notice to Airmen advising against flying in ABC airspace for 24 hours. The advisory remained in effect until early Sunday morning and resulted in widespread flight cancellations, including routes not only to and from the United States, but also connections with Colombia and Sint Maarten.
Air traffic resumed on Sunday. Aruba’s Queen Beatrix International Airport processed approximately 17,000 passengers and handled 69 flights that day. Additional flights were scheduled on Monday to help clear remaining backlogs.
Economic consequences
The temporary disruption to air traffic directly affected sectors heavily dependent on international connectivity, particularly tourism. According to calculations by research firm Cornerstone Economics, the one-day disruption resulted in an estimated loss of about 18 million US dollars across the ABC islands, with Aruba accounting for roughly 11 million dollars of that total.
January is traditionally one of the busiest tourism months, and around 80 percent of tourism to the ABC islands relies on air travel. Economists warn that the economic impact of such disruptions may extend beyond the initial day, potentially affecting bookings and revenue in the weeks that follow.
Preparedness and reserves
Speaking earlier with local media, Aruban Prime Minister Mike Eman said the island is prepared for potential disruptions. Aruba maintains water reserves sufficient for three to four months, including bottled water. Energy supplies include several weeks’ worth of heavy fuel oil for the Water and Energy Company Aruba, while pharmaceutical stocks cover several weeks and food reserves are estimated at around 40 days. At present, there are no indications that maritime supply routes have been affected.
Defense posture unchanged
Brekelmans also addressed questions about whether Dutch defense forces could be reinforced in the event of escalating tensions. He reiterated that there is currently no military threat from Venezuela toward Aruba, Curaçao or Bonaire, and no additional defensive measures beyond existing plans are being implemented.
However, he pointed to an already planned expansion of the Caribbean Coast Guard, which is set to grow from 240 to 320 personnel in the coming years, including an additional 20 positions on Aruba. This expansion will be accompanied by modernization efforts, such as improved radar systems, enhanced detection capabilities and increased use of drones.
The minister noted that the Netherlands is prepared for various contingency scenarios. In the event of disruptions to airspace or supply chains, support can be deployed within one to two days using air, maritime and logistical assets already present in the region. “More severe military scenarios require different considerations, but we do not see those as realistic at this moment,” Brekelmans said.
Mixed emotions in the region
While concerns about economic and geopolitical uncertainty remain, there were also scenes of celebration. Venezuelans gathered over the weekend at Plaza Simón Bolívar in Oranjestad to mark what they described as “Venezuela libre.” On Monday, they returned to the square to show solidarity with fellow Venezuelans during what many described as a confusing and emotionally charged transition period.
“There are many emotions and a lot of uncertainty,” one participant said. “This is a transition. Now is the time to stay calm, come together as Venezuelans, and keep our focus on freedom and democracy.”