WILLEMSTAD - As tensions between Venezuela and the United States rise again with the arrival of a U.S. aircraft carrier in the Caribbean, daily life along the Willemstad waterfront remains strikingly calm. The familiar Venezuelan fruit boats, small vessels loaded with fresh produce from the state of Falcón, continue to dock each morning, bringing mangoes, papayas, and plantains to Curaçao’s markets.
According to a report by Dutch broadcaster NOS Nieuwsuur, “a large number of warships have gathered off the Venezuelan coast,” including the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier. The program described the region as “buzzing with military activity,” suggesting that Venezuela could once again become the stage for geopolitical confrontation between Washington and Caracas.
Calm Among the Fruit Sellers
Despite these developments, there is little sign of fear among the Venezuelan traders who have long been part of Curaçao’s maritime culture.
“We don’t feel any danger,” said one fruit vendor. “We haven’t seen any American ships or planes. Here in Curaçao — and also on Bonaire — we’re all like one big family. It takes us about seven hours to sail from Falcón to Curaçao.”
Another vendor, speaking in Spanish at the Punda market, said that sea inspections are normal and rarely cause problems.
“They sometimes check the boats, but that’s part of the routine,” he explained. “If someone doesn’t stop, they might fire into the water to warn them. But we’ve never had any issues.”
The vendors’ comments contrast sharply with recent reports of U.S. airstrikes on Venezuelan vessels, which appear to occur without prior warning or inspection. Footage shared online has shown boats being hit at full speed, raising concerns among human rights groups about extrajudicial military actions.
Economic Pressures Outweigh Geopolitical Fear
Both traders, who declined to give their names, said their main worries are not the U.S. Navy or military escalation, but rather the high costs of fuel and permits that make their small businesses increasingly difficult to sustain.
“There’s a lot of tension, yes — but no war,” one of them said.
For now, the colorful row of wooden boats moored in Willemstad’s harbor remains a symbol of endurance and hope. While world powers flex their muscles on the open sea, the Venezuelan fruit sellers continue their daily crossings — carrying with them not just tropical produce, but also quiet resilience and faith in better days ahead.
