WILLEMSTAD – U.S. military aircraft have entered Curaçao’s airspace without authorization on two occasions within the span of two days, prompting sharp criticism in Parliament. MAN-PIN parliamentarian Suzy Camelia-Römer is calling on Prime Minister Gilmar “Pik” Pisas to lodge a formal diplomatic protest with the United States, in coordination with Aruba and the Netherlands.
Camelia-Römer described the incidents during the budget debate as “serious violations” of Curaçao’s sovereignty. She stressed that, within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Curaçao has a say in matters related to defense and foreign affairs and should therefore be fully respected in such procedures.
According to Camelia-Römer, there is a clear protocol for military flights. Foreign military aircraft must request permission to transit Curaçao’s airspace. That request is handled through the Kingdom’s defense and foreign affairs channels and forwarded to Curaçao’s Department of Aviation Policy (DBB), which seeks advice from the Civil Aviation Authority (VDC). Based on that process, Curaçao decides whether permission is granted.
She emphasized that civil aviation must also be informed whenever a military aircraft passes through Curaçao’s airspace, in order to ensure flight safety. Camelia-Römer also questioned whether aircraft operating from the U.S. Forward Operating Location (FOL) are exempt from these rules, insisting that the prime minister clarify whether such flights are also required to seek authorization.
The MAN-PIN lawmaker urged Prime Minister Pisas to consult with his Aruban counterpart as well as the Dutch ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense to jointly submit a diplomatic note to Washington, making clear that unauthorized flights are unacceptable. She warned that, in the event of an accident, Curaçao could be held responsible. “If something happens, Curaçao will get the blame. U.S. airlines like JetBlue would come to Curaçao with claims, saying it was our fault for not issuing warnings,” she said.
MAN-PIN is seeking to work with other parliamentary factions on a motion expressing support for the government in taking firm action to safeguard national safety. Camelia-Römer cautioned that a serious incident could harm tourism and potentially push Curaçao back into greater dependence on Dutch financial support.
Other opposition parties also condemned the airspace violations, as well as the recent visit of Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. Coalition parties, meanwhile, praised Prime Minister Pisas for maintaining a neutral stance amid rising regional tensions.