WILLEMSTAD – The Government of Curaçao is extremely pleased with the attention that the Dutch Parliament is giving to the situation with Venezuela. This is the first reaction of Prime Minister Eugene Rhuggenaath on the basis of a motion by the Second Chamber in which Minister of Defense Ank Bijleveld was entrusted with the task of preparing allies to provide protection to the islands of Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire against Venezuela.

In an interview with EXTRA Mr. Rhuggenaath stated that the government has continuous consultation with the Dutch Ministries, among others the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and others. He has also been in contacts with the Minister of the Defense Ank Bijleveld.

Previously the Government of Curaçao formally requested assistance from the Dutch Government in the case of a possible scenario of mass migration from Venezuela to Curaçao.

Regarding the military, the Prime Minister stated that currently we have no reason to ask for strong assistance and protection, however, we must be alert at all times. “In the conversations we had with the Minister of Defense Ank Bijleveld, we made sure to request surveillance for our coasts.”

Another positive note that the Government of Curaçao observed was that after a long time, the Dutch Government expanded the budget for Defense. This gives the Government of Curaçao hope to have more resources and more modern equipment in regard to the coastguard in the Caribbean.

Mr. Rhuggenaath considers the petition for a more robust defense a positive attention and is absolutely welcome. Minister Rhuggenaath has no doubt that Minister Bijleveld will give much more attention to this.

Another point that the motion indicates is the cooperation among allies with regard to the defense of the Caribbean in general. This is something that the government of the Kingdom must study.

In the past, collaboration with allies has been important. The main task of the Armed Forces is precisely Military Defense and Protection but it also executes other tasks.

Together with the Coast Guard they control the crime at the border crossing and also give assistance in this case to Sint Maarten and other islands after Hurricane Irma and Maria. There was collaboration from France and Great Britain but Curaçao had a logistic role in these cases. In any case, cooperation with the allies is something that the defense minister must evaluate. Mr. Rhuggenaath stresses that the concern continues for the situation that is emerging in Venezuela and will continue to closely monitor it. The Government of Curaçao meanwhile continues to invest in diplomatic relations with Venezuela.

LAGA UN KOMENTARIO

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