Military Personnel to Support Curaçao Police Amid Expected Rise in Crime

Military Personnel to Support Curaçao Police Amid Expected Rise in Crime

November 6, 2026

That is the headline of an article on curacao.nu.

It was a tough week. I landed back on the island at 11:45 a.m., returning from another island that is also struggling with rising crime. Meanwhile, it is scorching hot.

But when I read an article like this, I cannot help thinking of Bukele, who, according to reports, has sent more than 2,000 soldiers to Haiti to rescue four of his military personnel from gangs that have the country in their grip. According to reports, Bukele is preparing further action.

Instinctively, I have reservations about his authoritarian style, but I cannot deny that his approach appears to be working, at least in the short term.

I do not know whether soldiers on our island will make a difference. I am not happy about it, but I am willing to give it the benefit of the doubt.

The question is not only whether military personnel can reduce crime, but also why things have been allowed to reach this point.

Miguel Goede