Opinion: More responsibility for the Kingdom, more say for the Caribbean

ORANJESTAD — The Netherlands intervenes in the Caribbean countries’ finances and governance but does too little for education, healthcare and living standards. That is the criticism voiced by Wouter Veenendaal, professor by special appointment of Kingdom Relations at Leiden University, and Oberon Nauta, senior researcher and partner at DSP-Groep, in an opinion article published in de Volkskrant on October 10, 2026.

Sixteen years after Curaçao and Sint Maarten became autonomous countries, the authors argue that the Caribbean countries’ small size limits their ability to fulfil all the responsibilities of a country. They say this contributes to growing inequality between Dutch citizens in the Caribbean and Europe.

They criticise both the Netherlands and local governments for using autonomy to avoid responsibility, while Dutch intervention generally takes place under conditions set in The Hague.

Veenendaal and Nauta propose that the Kingdom permanently assume tasks the countries cannot manage alone. This must come with greater Caribbean influence in the Kingdom government and parliamentary representation. Their message: greater responsibility for the Kingdom must also mean a stronger voice for the islands.