Recently, Member of Parliament Carlos Bermudez of the AVP faction took note of public statements from various ministers regarding a possible reopening of the border with Venezuela. At the same time, Bermudez indicated that several citizens have approached him seeking more information and clarity regarding this topic. This is precisely the reason why Bermudez has submitted a series of written questions to Prime Minister, Mr. Mike Eman.
The border with Venezuela has been closed since 2019. A possible reopening is a complex matter where the geopolitical, security, and economic situation must be taken into account. Furthermore, a decision of this magnitude does not depend solely on Aruba and Venezuela, but must also take into account the position and considerations of the Netherlands.
To create more clarity on this topic, Member of Parliament Bermudez presented six (6) questions to Prime Minister Mr. Mike Eman:
Has the Government of Aruba held meeting(s) with ministers, agencies, or relevant authorities from Venezuela and the Netherlands regarding a possible reopening of the border? If the answer is affirmative, which agencies participated and what are the main results of the meeting(s)?
Are there currently concrete plans regarding the reopening of the border with Venezuela?
If there are concrete plans, can the minister indicate what date is being contemplated for the reopening, or what is the date on which a definitive decision on the matter will be made?
What conditions or requirements are tied to a possible reopening of the border?
Will the reopening apply to both air traffic and maritime traffic?
What were, or still are, the main obstacles to the reopening of the border, considering that Curaçao already reopened its border with Venezuela a few years ago?
Finally, Bermudez emphasizes that any reopening of the border must take place in a responsible, well-prepared manner, and with the necessary guarantees for the security and well-being of Aruba.