The Heat Is On May 19, 2026 It is hot. The Meteorological Service warns that it will only get hotter in the coming days. And in just over three weeks, the 2026 World Cup will begin. Preparations for the celebration are starting. Curaçao has, in many ways, already won by qualifying. From this point on, it is mostly about enjoying and celebrating the fact that we are part of it. Anything beyond that is a bonus. As long as the tournament lasts — and that will probably be

Those Without Youth Have No Future May 18, 2026 I read that, according to Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek, the number of births continues to decline. At the same time, many young people leave for abroad to pursue their studies. This demographic decline among the young further accelerates the aging of our society. We also see that the education system often does not equip young people adequately for the future. More and more children are ending up in special education

There is a system of oppression and poverty 16 May 2026 It is becoming increasingly clear that while the economy is growing, poverty is growing right alongside it. The events of the past few days are revealing once again the elements of a system that not only produces poverty but also actively maintains it. We are seeing the protests unfold before our eyes. Large groups of citizens are expressing their frustration because they have waited for years, sometimes twenty, th

We Can’t Let It Go 15 May 2026 It is not simply because the new prime minister of the Netherlands happened to be visiting here, but over the past few days, I have noticed more and more how slavery, the colonial past, and the relationship between Willemstad and The Hague keep returning as topics of conversation and writing. It feels as though these themes are starting to dominate everything. Whether the subject is football or poverty reduction, the same frame keeps comin

Appointments 14 May 2026 I am waiting at the inspection office for my new inspection card. According to the thermometer in my car, it is 37 degrees outside. I can believe it, but that is not what I want to talk about now. In my view, there is quite a lot happening at the moment around appointments to important positions. The clearest example is the appointment of a new national team coach. It illustrates something I think matters: results do not depend only on a person’s qual

Monday, May 11, 2026 May 11, 2026 I was up early. Not because I had to attend the CINEX coffee morning, but simply because I had a short night. I had actually already decided to skip that first meeting because the agenda seemed packed. After helping all my clients online, I got ready and still headed to the gathering. The vibe was quite good. A former student gave a TED-style talk about what the Curaçao mission to Silicon Valley had achieved. If we really want to do somet

Between Pride and Unease May 10, 2026 May 10 was Mother’s Day. Tomorrow, May 11, marks exactly one month until the opening of the FIFA World Cup. Curaçao made history by qualifying, yet the island seems far from ready for what lies ahead. In recent days, the discussion has mainly focused on the possible return of Dick Advocaat as national team coach. Apparently, that is the wish of sponsors, some players, and parts of the Dutch media. It is emotionally exhausting. I

Hantavirus May 9, 2026 From May 6 onward, the first cases were reported. After that, it moved faster than I expected. I was in shock and said nothing. My trainer at the gym asked me when I would finally write about it. Of course, our collective trauma from COVID-19 immediately resurfaces. We never truly recovered from it. Hardly had the pandemic ended before the war in Ukraine began. Meanwhile, islands like ours have become increasingly dependent on tourism. Let us hope

Overweight and Prevention May 8, 2026 Yesterday I did not write. I was traveling, but that was not the reason. I notice that many people are finally speaking out about the uncontrolled construction boom linked to investments, especially in tourism, and the consequences for young people and low-income families. Education and youth issues are also receiving more attention. That matters. I only hope this attention does not disappear once the public debate moves on. In a mo

Concrete Is Not Development May 6, 2026 This statement takes on a particular meaning in light of the island's construction boom. Today, I was prompted by reports about the opening of the new building of the National Laboratory ADC. Former minister Whiteman also used this statement regularly in the context of the new hospital. He consistently emphasized that the concrete of a new hospital does not equate to an improvement in the quality of care; that is primarily determined

May 5th Is Liberation Day. Also in Curaçao. 5 May 2026 May 5th is Liberation Day. In Curaçao, too, we mark the end of the Second World War. The island was not a bystander; it played a role, and YdK soldiers lost their lives. That awareness is growing. Rightly so. At the same time, we increasingly celebrate peace in the spirit of UNESCO. Much of that is due to the Committee for Peace, which organizes annual gatherings at the Peace Square. That matters. But it also raises

Too late, the calf has already drowned May 4, 2026 It is becoming increasingly clear. Last week, residents of Julianadorp were in the news. They requested information about the building permits for 25 luxury homes in their neighborhood. Today I read that residents of Jan Thiel and Brakkeput are doing the same regarding the 244 pod homes. I also see that objections have been raised against The Wharf West Curaçao. The objections are now following each other in rapid success

The Era of Madness May 3, 2026 I have written before about how our thinking has eroded—how those now in power often act on the basis of shallow reasoning. On this Sunday morning, I find myself returning to that thought. And yet, the day feels positive. Hopeful, even. The tall ships in the harbor do something to a person. It is hard to explain, but they always bring a certain sense of joy. That feeling stands in sharp contrast to the government’s letter to the Presiden

The Erosion of Labour Day May 2, 2026 Last night, I took stock. The day has further eroded. What will stay with me is that Caracasbaai was overcrowded. That, in itself, was not even the main problem. As many as six to eight jet skis were operating beyond the buoys that separate the swimming area from boat traffic. It says a lot about the erosion of our behavior. But I will return to that another time. The erosion of May 1 is not new. It began with the passing of Mgr. Am

King Charles’s Speech: A Lesson in Power and Language May 1, 2026 The recent speech by Charles III, Britain's King, to a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress is widely regarded as a masterclass in political communication. What made it exceptional was not only its content, but its delivery: sharp criticism wrapped in diplomatic elegance. He offered a pointed critique of the president, his policies, and America itself, while still receiving no fewer than eleven standing ovati

Then It Seems to Go Quiet Again About Poverty 30 April 2026 Then it seems to go quiet again about poverty. While the data and signals keep accumulating, the issue repeatedly fades into the background—until the next study, the next report, or the next political statement. Recently, I came across an article on poverty in the Caribbean Netherlands. It shows that roughly one-third of the population lives below the poverty line and that the overall level of education is rela

The Age of Madness April 29, 2026 Titles like The Age of Uncertainty and The Age of Unreason are not new. Authors such as Galbraith have used them before. Whether “The Age of Madness” is original, I do not know. But it does feel appropriate. I am not referring to the madness of the day. Nor to simple nonsense. I am referring to decisions of such scale and consequence that they demand deep thinking — and where that thinking increasingly seems absent. We see, for exampl

Agriculture in Curaçao: from an underestimated sector to a strategic choice 28 April 2026 The recent World Bank report shows how vulnerable Curaçao is due to its heavy reliance on food imports. Price fluctuations, logistical disruptions, and external shocks quickly ripple through society (World Bank, 2023). At the same time, agriculture today remains marginal, contributing around 0.3% to GDP. The quick conclusion is often that agriculture has no serious economic future. T

Saying we want brain gain and actually doing something about it are two different things April 27, 2026 On Friday, April 24, I spoke at the office with a young colleague who has actually returned to the islands. We didn’t go into much depth — something for a follow-up conversation. But the Career Orientation Days in the Netherlands did come up. They were taking place as we spoke. I had the opportunity to attend the first three to five editions as a manager at a Big Six

Long Live the King – But Who Is Actually in Charge? 25 April 2026 I read the Governor’s first address on the occasion of Koningsdag 2026 with interest. As far as I can recall previous speeches, this one was – to be fair – an improvement. More coherent, more attuned to the spirit of the times. And yet… I wouldn’t be myself if I didn’t add a few critical notes. Let me start with the core. The speech clearly revolves around cooperation, challenges, geopolitics, governanc