Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans meets with the Aruban Government.
ORANJESTAD – On January 8, 2025, Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes, together with Minister of Justice and Social Affairs Rocco Tjon, met with Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans, who is on a working visit to Aruba.
Additionally, Minister Brekelmans met with the Governor and the Commander of the Marine Barracks in Savaneta to discuss the role of the Dutch Marines stationed in Aruba.
The Prime Minister indicated that it is no secret that the situation in Venezuela is concerning, not only for Aruba but also for the Netherlands. For this reason, much of the meeting focused on this issue and how Aruba is preparing for any eventualities. The Prime Minister assured that, although the situation in Venezuela is far from ideal, the Aruban community can remain calm as there are currently no indications of any risks or threats to the island.
The plan for 2025 is for Aruba and the Netherlands to continue working together on developing more strategies so that Aruba is well-prepared in the event of any incidents or a possible infiltration of foreign forces via Venezuela, ensuring there is no cause for concern.
The meeting also elaborated on the position of the "Arumil" personnel. The Prime Minister stated that the government is in the final phase of professionalizing the Arumil, ensuring their legal and military status is firmly established. This project is nearing completion thanks to the strong cooperation between Aruba and the Netherlands.
Furthermore, the discussion covered governance, the relationship between Aruba and the Netherlands, and how to further strengthen it to support Aruba.