Dutch Navy monitoring Caribbean waters as tensions rise between U.S., Venezuela

CARIBBEAN REGION--The Dutch Navy has shifted its posture in the Caribbean as geopolitical tensions between the United States and Venezuela continue to rise, prompting unease across Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. Dutch military personnel stationed on the three islands have begun reducing routine counter-narcotics activities to focus more directly on surveillance and situational awareness in the region.

According to Wouter Veenendaal, endowed professor of Kingdom Relations, who recently returned from a visit to the islands, the heightened military presence is highly visible. The U.S. aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford can be seen from Curaçao, he noted, and its presence has become a central topic of conversation among residents. “There is a great deal of uncertainty,” Veenendaal observed, explaining that the islands have no authority over their own defense posture, which is managed exclusively by the Kingdom government in The Hague. Local officials, he added, feel they are not receiving enough clarity from the Dutch Ministry of Defense about ongoing developments.

The concerns stem from a series of U.S. strikes on suspected drug traffickers—designated as “terrorists” by the Trump administration—which have resulted in dozens of deaths. With Washington adopting a more aggressive stance toward Venezuela, many residents fear that Caracas could attempt to assert itself in the region before any potential U.S. action. “There is a sense on the islands of being caught between two unpredictable major powers,” Veenendaal said.

Roughly 600 Dutch troops are deployed across the ABC islands, traditionally focused on counterdrug missions. While those operations continue, naval resources—particularly the patrol vessel Zr.Ms. Groningen—have redirected significant attention toward monitoring regional military movements. A Navy spokesperson acknowledged the shift, noting, “We are keeping a very close eye on developments. Since the Netherlands is not directly briefed by either side, it is essential that we collect our own intelligence.”

During his recent state visit to Suriname, King Willem-Alexander also addressed the growing tension. He expressed deep concern about events unfolding in the Caribbean and emphasized the importance of upholding international law and ensuring that the islands receive adequate protection from any potential spillover of conflict.

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