Blue Wave and the Tsunami Yet to Come

Blue Wave and the Tsunami Yet to Come

June 5, 2026

Perhaps you noticed, perhaps you did not, but I have not written for a few days. It is Friday, the day before the Blue Wave's farewell match against Aruba on its way to the World Cup.

A few weeks ago, I wrote I Am Leaving. In that piece, I explained that while I may physically be here, my work is currently elsewhere. That is what has occupied much of my attention over the past few days. But now, a brief reflection.

I received a message from a former Prime Minister, with whom I once shared a classroom, about how our population has grown over the past two years. The information came from Curaçao.nu (Curaçao.nu, 2026).

And you do not need to be a genius to know that it is not the YdK who caused this population increase, but foreigners. Curaçao is not only experiencing economic growth. You do not need to be a genius to know who these newcomers are. Let me call them investors and the people needed to keep the tourism industry running; service workers, for example.

Add to that the report that most loans to foreigners are being used for real estate investments (Curaçao Chronicle, 2026).

Then realize that the so-called Blue Wave effect has only just begun.

You do not need to be a genius to predict that the Blue Wave effect could become a disastrous tsunami for the YdK, one for which hardly anyone—and least of all the government—is prepared. The YdK simply do not have the financial means to compete in the economy.

Everything is already under strain, from the roads to the hospital, which reportedly has no beds left despite its exorbitant daily rates.

Yet no one seems to be losing sleep over it or asking how they can help find solutions.

I wish our boys every success tomorrow.

Go Blue Wave.

Miguel Goede

References

Curaçao.nu. (2026). Migratiesaldo Curaçao op hoogste niveau sinds 2011. Retrieved June 5, 2026, from https://www.curacao.nu/nieuws/economie/90759/migratiesaldo-curacao-op-hoogste-niveau-sinds-2011

Curaçao Chronicle. (2026). CBCS warns Curaçao’s credit boom could become financial risk. Retrieved June 5, 2026, from https://www.curacaochronicle.com/post/unknown/cbcs-warns-curacaos-credit-boom-could-become-financial-risk