Culture of Fear

Culture of Fear

June 24, 2026

Once again, a report has been produced by SOAB at the request of the Ministry of Governance, Planning and Service Delivery (BPD). If I understand correctly, it forms part of the integrity program, including the long-awaited activation of the Integrity Bureau.

The culture of fear is nothing new. It was already introduced in 2003. The Culture of Fear: Paradoxical Chains of Fear and Silence in Curaçao is an influential sociological book published in 2003 by Curaçaoan sociologist Valdemar Marcha and Dutch professor Paul Verweel.

That is why I find it difficult to understand the considerable attention this report has been receiving over the past few days. Especially against the backdrop of two court rulings showing that the government wrongfully dismissed the leadership of the Veterinary Service and personally devastated those involved.

Many may have forgotten that the head of the service even had his car set on fire at his home by citizens who believed he had engaged in wrongdoing.

Just three weeks ago, the political party MAN spoke out on the issue. MAN accused the Curaçao government, and specifically the Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature (GMN), of structural abuse of power and the unlawful removal of civil servants from their positions.

Yet the fascination with a report full of abstract figures appears to be greater than the concern for human suffering. The human consequences leave many people indifferent.

For that reason, nobody should expect this report to have much impact. It will soon find its place on a shelf, and even implementation of its recommendations will not eliminate the culture of fear.

It is not that simple.

Miguel Goede