ORANJESTAD (AAN): As part of the Justitieel Vierlanden Overleg (Judicial Four-Country Consultation) held in St. Maarten, the Ministers of Justice of the Kingdom convened for a strategic session on Thursday afternoon together with the Kingdom’s police chiefs.
The meeting was attended by Aruba’s Minister of Justice Arthur Dowers, St. Maarten’s Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling, and Dutch Minister of Justice Foort van Oosten. During the session, several urgent and current issues related to law enforcement and public order were discussed, including organizational imbalances, the role of the College of Police Chiefs, youth crime, and the fight against organized and undermining criminal activity.
Special attention was given to undermining crime (ondermijning) — a form of organized crime that directly affects democratic institutions and the rule of law. While in previous years investigations focused largely on political figures, the ministers emphasized that the current focus is on the broader societal impact of organized crime and its threat to public safety. Undermining crime is not a regional issue, but a global one.
In the Netherlands, authorities apply a wide range of tools alongside traditional investigation and prosecution methods by the Public Prosecutor’s Office. These include strong preventive measures aimed at stopping individuals from abusing commercial systems to enter markets illegally, as well as actions against those misusing businesses or properties for drug trafficking and other illicit activities.
The presentation on undermining crime was extensive and included findings from an investigation conducted by an investigative journalist who studied developments in the Caribbean region. While limited changes were observed overall, particular concern was raised about the situations in Merca and Venezuela. In Merca, authorities are expelling large numbers of individuals seeking refuge elsewhere, potentially increasing risks for neighboring countries. Meanwhile, the ongoing situation in Venezuela has intensified drug trafficking routes destined for Europe, with Caribbean territories increasingly used as transit points.
Minister Arthur Dowers highlighted that rising cocaine consumption in Europe has created a significant “pull factor,” increasing pressure on Caribbean routes. To counter this, Aruba and its partners must reduce the risk of their territories being used as a trafficking “highway” to Europe. Aruba has been actively combating this phenomenon in cooperation with international partners, including Colombia and Merca.
The ministers stressed the importance of intensified cooperation within the Kingdom and agreed to continue working together on the discussed issues through concrete policy measures and coordinated enforcement actions.
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