WILLEMSTAD — The government of Curaçao emphasizes the importance of ensuring that public institutions, regulatory bodies, and the private sector are well-informed and adequately prepared to fulfill their roles in enforcing international sanctions. In this context, the European University Institute (EUI) conducted a two-day training titled “EU Sanctions in Practice: Effectiveness, Judicial Review, and Compliance” on June 2 and 3, 2025. The training took place in the training facilities of the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten. 

This initiative aligns with the recent publication of the Omnibus Sanctions Decree Curaçao (P.B. 2025, no. 52), as well as with the formal designation of institutions responsible for the implementation, enforcement, and oversight of international sanctions. As a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Curaçao is obliged to comply with international sanctions, particularly those imposed by the European Union (EU). These sanctions are implemented in Curaçao against individuals, legal entities, organizations, non-state actors, and states. 

Across the Kingdom, there is a strong focus on raising awareness among citizens, companies, and institutions about their obligations under international sanctions regimes. These may include trade restrictions, travel bans, or the freezing of assets. 

The primary aim of international sanctions is to exert pressure on states, organizations, or individuals involved in actions that violate international law, human rights, or fundamental values upheld by the international community. Sanctions serve as a foreign policy tool, designed to induce behavioral change without the use of military force.