During the latest Judicial Four-Party Meeting (Justitieel Vierlandenoverleg – JVO), the countries of the Kingdom reached several key agreements to strengthen justice cooperation and address common security challenges. Minister of Justice Mr. Dr. Arthur Dowers, along with fellow ministers of justice Nathalie Tackling of Sint Maarten, David van Weel of the Netherlands, and Shalten Hato of Curaçao, attended the various JVO sessions in Willemstad.
A major outcome of the meeting was the 2026-2029 Action Plan on Youth Crime. Spearheaded by Curaçao and supported by Aruba, the initiative addresses growing concerns surrounding youth delinquency through a concrete, coordinated strategy. The plan establishes a framework for more synchronized and effective joint action to prevent and combat youth crime.
The participating countries also agreed to enhance information exchange regarding flagged individuals and to organize joint return operations for persons without legal residency on the islands.
Border protection is a necessity, not an option. Robust border control is crucial not only in managing migration, but also in preventing transborder crime and safeguarding national security.
Intensifying the fight against organized crime
Another core outcome of the JVO was the shared commitment to step up efforts against organized crime. The primary objective is to prevent criminal organizations from gaining influence or control over neighborhoods, local businesses, government agencies, or critical infrastructure such as seaports and airports.
Additionally, structural cooperation was established with Kingdom partners to counter weapons and drug trafficking, as well as criminal networks that undermine institutional authority and integrity.
The scale of the challenge is significant. In 2025 alone, the Coast Guard intercepted over 11,000 kilograms of narcotics in territorial waters. This highlights the immense pressure that transborder crime places on the region and underscores the need for continued investment in joint operations.
In this context, another vital agreement is to further reinforce collaborative ties between the Coast Guard, RST (Recherche Samenwerkingsteam), Customs, Koninklijke Marechaussee, and international partners.
Minister Dowers emphasized that inter-country cooperation does not absolve individual nations of their distinct responsibilities regarding their justice systems:
“Justice is not a Kingdom responsibility per se. We have voluntarily chosen to work together because we know that by working together, we achieve greater success,” Minister Dowers stated.
According to the Minister, collaboration is essential to achieving major results in the justice sector. Precisely during the JVO, it remains vital to recognize that the countries rely on one another. What cannot be accomplished alone can be achieved alongside partners. The determination of those who believe in security and recognize the necessity of collaboration is essential to overcoming upcoming challenges.
ICT infrastructure within the justice chain requires improvement
A key topic of discussion during deliberations was the ICT infrastructure connecting law enforcement agencies across the Kingdom. Current capabilities leave substantial room for improvement, and JVO partners expressed dissatisfaction with present operations.
To resolve this, a dedicated committee will analyze the situation and implement necessary upgrades. A reliable and modern ICT infrastructure is indispensable for seamless information sharing and optimal functioning across all justice departments.
Organized crime demands increased capacity and funding
Finally, rising operational costs within the judicial chain were addressed. Modern criminal organizations command considerable financial resources, whereas smaller nations like those in the Dutch Caribbean must deploy their limited funds as efficiently as possible to counter these networks.
For Minister Dowers, this requires not only efficient resource allocation, but also a readiness to invest additional funds where necessary. When extra funding is required, leaders must demonstrate and convince government partners of the necessity to make those investments to secure better results.
The agreements signed during the JVO reaffirm the importance of intra-Kingdom cooperation. Organized crime, drug trafficking, border control, and other contemporary challenges do not respect national borders. To combat them effectively, information exchange, adequate operational capacity, and sustainable partnerships among Kingdom and international stakeholders are indispensable.
