Netherlands expands police cooperation with Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire

ORANJESTAD – The Dutch government plans to deepen police cooperation with Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire as part of a renewed strategy to combat increasingly sophisticated international crime. The policy is outlined in a new vision on international police cooperation submitted to the Dutch Parliament.

According to the report, organized crime has become increasingly global, involving money laundering, international drug trafficking, cybercrime, human trafficking and corruption. Because these crimes extend beyond national borders, closer international cooperation is considered essential.

For the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, the report emphasizes that Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten remain responsible for their own law enforcement, while continuing to work closely with the Netherlands and the Caribbean Netherlands Police Force.

Justice ministers from the four Kingdom countries will continue meeting twice a year through the Judicial Four-Party Consultation (JVO), while the College of Police Chiefs will receive permanent funding from 2026 to further strengthen regional coordination and develop a long-term joint strategy.

The report also highlights the important role of the Detective Cooperation Team (RST), which supports Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and the Caribbean Netherlands in investigating serious cross-border crime. The RST will undergo an evaluation in 2027 to ensure it continues to meet the region's evolving security needs.

The Dutch government also sees opportunities to expand cooperation with Suriname through knowledge sharing, police training and operational support, while the Dutch liaison officer in Curaçao will continue playing a key role in intelligence sharing throughout the Kingdom.

The report concludes that stronger cooperation, faster information exchange and greater mutual trust are essential to protecting Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire from increasingly complex international criminal networks.