WILLEMSTAD – The political party MAN-PIN has a clear vision on tackling rising prices of food, essential goods, and services. Managing inflation is a responsibility of the entire government. To achieve this, MAN-PIN proposes, among other measures, replacing the OB tax with ABB, stimulating local food production through subsidies, and eliminating the OZB tax.
However, global developments indicate that the immediate situation of high prices in Curaçao may worsen. As highlighted in the 2024 FTAC report, Curaçao is highly dependent on food imports, with 90% of its food coming mainly from the United States, Europe, and South America. This makes the island extremely vulnerable to global events. One of the challenges outlined in the FTAC report is the restrictions on meat imports from various Latin American countries, often imposed due to contamination incidents but then left in place indefinitely.
The risk to food security and the well-being of the local community is becoming an increasingly pressing reality, especially as the U.S. imposes import tariffs on various countries and threatens to continue on this path. The economic war initiated by the U.S. could lead to inflationary consequences as it imposes import tariffs on products from its trade partners like China and Europe. Globally, prices have already begun to rise. In Curaçao, we will see the effects in the coming weeks, given that food products have short expiration dates and are imported frequently. This price increase will further reduce the purchasing power of the entire community, which is already struggling with the high cost of essential goods.
Considering that, apart from handing out a few fishing boat licenses and making campaign visits to some local agricultural producers, the government has done nothing to develop agriculture, livestock farming, or fisheries, local consumers have few alternatives. This is in stark contrast to the efforts of the previous government, which included MAN-PIN, between 2017-2021, and which had beneficial results for consumers. During the pandemic, Curaçao's livestock farmers and agricultural producers made a significant contribution because the government facilitated their ability to continue working.
The impact of the economic war driven by the U.S. government could have even more far-reaching consequences. Curaçao’s port serves as a transit hub for international trade. If the U.S. imposes higher tariffs, this will negatively impact shipping routes. For example, if countries export less to the U.S. due to high prices, this will reduce port activity in Curaçao, leading to lower revenues for logistics businesses. Consequently, this could result in job losses and negatively affect economic development.
Additionally, the threat of increased import tariffs on petroleum-based products and their derivatives will have a negative impact on Curaçao. Fuel, gasoline, gas, and other industrial lubricants, for which we import raw materials, will become more expensive. As a result, the costs of water, electricity, gasoline, and other essential products will continue to rise.
These global developments require immediate attention. There is no time to waste. What is striking is the government’s complete silence on this global crisis while it spends its time making noise in the neighborhoods at night, organizing parties with bands, and wasting public funds—while citizens struggle daily, watching their health deteriorate under skyrocketing prices.
MAN-PIN urges the government, particularly Minister Gilmar Pisas (responsible for foreign relations, agriculture, livestock, and fisheries) and Minister Cooper (economy), to take the necessary measures to address this situation, inform the public, and prevent a crisis that will impact the well-being of our people.
