On Saturday, November 29th, 160 invited guests boarded the navy ship HNLMS Groningen for the annual Naval Relations Day of the Navy Ship in Curaçao. The Ministry of Defence in the Caribbean and the Caribbean Coast Guard provided a glimpse into the operational world of the station ship at sea, and provided an opportunity for dialogue between the government, businesses, the Ministry of Defence, and the Coast Guard.
During the day, guests were treated to various demonstrations by airborne and maritime units of the Ministry of Defence and the Caribbean Coast Guard. In addition to the demonstrations, there were onboard tours and the traditional “blue snack.” The Naval Operations Day of the Navy Ship took place in Aruba earlier this month.
Current Situation
During the opening speech, the commander of the Dutch forces in the Caribbean, reflected on the current situation: ”Current developments in the Caribbean may be cause for concern. Protecting the Caribbean part of the Kingdom is the highest priority of the Ministry of Defence in the Caribbean. There is currently no immediate threat to the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. The station ship is currently conducting patrols to monitor the security situation around the ABC Islands. The Ministry of Defence is not involved in the American operation in the region. The Ministry of Defence is closely monitoring developments and keeping the Kingdom well-informed. CZMCARIB protects the Caribbean and contributes to stability and security in the region.”
