Sometimes it seems quiet

Sometimes it seems quiet

28 January 2026

But appearances are deceiving. I think people define it that way to take a break. Right now, people are taking a break in Curaçao: we celebrate Carnival and everything revolves around the Festival di Tumba. But in the meantime, the world keeps moving.

In reality, the world order is changing faster than we think. The EU and India signed a free trade agreement (European Commission, 2026). India thereby consolidates its position as the world’s fourth-largest economy.

Clingendael Institute speaks of great powers and middle powers, arguing that middle powers now play an important role by seeking new alliances (NPO Radio 1, 2026).

But Curaçao seems to be engaging in a bit of window dressing. On 22 January, the newspaper reported that preparations were underway for a crisis plan for geopolitical threats.

But back to my point: a lot is happening, yet we simply don’t have time for it right now. Today, there was a very serious incident. Someone died in the parking lot of a nightlife venue (Curaçao.nu, 2026).

This is unprecedented and should not simply pass us by. It suggests that there may be a pandemic of mental health issues, and that no one really knows how to deal with it. In this context, protecting young people from social media and cellphones is a good step.

Miguel Goede

References (APA)

Curaçao.nu. (2026). Man doodgeschoten op parkeerterrein bij Mambo. Curaçao.nu. https://www.curacao.nu/nieuws/politie-justitie/85200/man-doodgeschoten-op-parkeerterrein-bij-mambo?pubble_source=fb

European Commission. (2026). EU and India sign free trade agreement (IP_26_184) [Press release]. European Commission. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_184

NPO Radio 1. (2026, January 27). Middenmachten bepalen de wereldorde van morgen [Audio fragment]. Bureau Buitenland. https://www.nporadio1.nl/fragmenten/bureau-buitenland/019bff0b-3b16-70cd-b7fb-219fcd2d6bde/2026-01-27-middenmachten-bepalen-de-wereldorde-van-morgen