Dowers and new KMar commander focus on border security, organized crime and regional cooperation

ORANJESTAD — Justice Minister Arthur Dowers has met with Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Taribuka, the new commander of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee’s Caribbean Brigade, for talks focused on security cooperation, border control and the fight against cross-border crime.

Taribuka has served as commander since September 2026 and leads KMar units across the six Caribbean islands within the Kingdom. The Marechaussee maintains a permanent presence in the Caribbean and works with local authorities, the Coast Guard and police forces to combat organized crime, document and identity fraud and other border-related criminal activity.

The meeting with Dowers focused on maintaining strong cooperation among security partners while taking Aruba’s specific responsibilities and local circumstances into account.

KMar’s role goes beyond border control. The organization also provides personnel, expertise and equipment and contributes to immigration processes, intelligence work and investigations involving cross-border crime. A recent example in Aruba is the investigation into the fatal September 13 traffic accident, which was transferred to the Marechaussee because of military involvement.

The meeting comes at a time when judicial and security cooperation within the Kingdom is receiving renewed attention. During the latest Four-Country Justice Consultation, Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten and the Netherlands agreed to strengthen cooperation against several forms of crime and improve coordination on shared security challenges.

Dowers wished Taribuka success in his new position and expressed confidence that cooperation between Aruba and the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee will continue to deepen.