Dutch warship docks in Curaçao amid U.S. deployment near Venezuela
The Royal Netherlands Navy’s frigate HNLMS Van Amstel (F831) has arrived in Curaçao as part of a military rotation coinciding with a U.S. deployment off the Venezuelan coast, officially described as a counter-narcotics operation.
The vessel, anchored at the port of Sint Annabaai, will remain for four months with a crew of 156 sailors and 16 officers.
Equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems, cannons, anti-ship missiles, a missile launch system, and a helicopter, the Van Amstel is considered one of the Dutch Navy’s most versatile warships. It is capable of surface and anti-submarine combat, artillery support, and air defence.
While Dutch authorities emphasise the mission’s role in strengthening security and stability in the Caribbean territories of the kingdom—Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten—local voices have raised concerns. Activist and former soldier Marlon Regales criticised the deployment, arguing that the official justification of combating drug cartels is unconvincing. “No one believes that fairy tale. They’re here to apply pressure”, he said, suggesting the move is part of wider geopolitical tensions involving Venezuela.
Regales also highlighted Curaçao’s colonial dependency on the Netherlands, warning that residents reject being used as a staging ground for potential military action in the region.
Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans stated in late August that the Netherlands could send additional forces from Europe if necessary, but stressed that The Hague is not formally part of the U.S.-led deployment near Venezuela.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
