WILLEMSTAD - Weak government policy on humanitarian aid to Venezuela. Human Rights Caribbean accuses the government of Prime Minister Eugene Rhuggenaath. It shows how little thought has been given to policy towards neighboring Venezuela, says Ieteke Witteveen of the human rights organization.

The Curaçao government announced last week that it could act as a humanitarian hub by means of a press conference. Now it backs down in response to news coverage by several news media here, in Venezuela and in the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, the media reported that the government of Curaçao is prepared to cooperate in an international aid campaign for Venezuela.

Curaçao itself also benefits from a stable Venezuela. This is because Venezuelan refugees arrive every day. In the meantime, more than 15,000 people live on the island, often in miserable conditions. "Therefore, Curaçao appeals to all parties to stop the unnecessary violence, to return to peace and quiet, to proclaim new democratic elections and to allow humanitarian aid", says a government statement. “Curaçao itself is prepared to serve as a humanitarian hub.”

In a press release this is now being denied and it is said that the government is not part of an action that was planned for last Monday.