WILLEMSTAD – As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen international collaboration and intensify the strategic fight against crime, Curaçao’s Minister of Justice, Mr. Shalten Hato, has completed an official working visit to the Netherlands. The trip focused on reinforcing ties with key Dutch authorities and institutions responsible for public safety, with a particular emphasis on drug trafficking and organized crime.
Strengthening Regional Alliances: Meetings with Colombian and Salvadoran Consuls
A key part of the visit included diplomatic meetings with the consuls of Colombia and El Salvador. Discussions focused on improving cooperation with both countries, given the transnational roots of many of Curaçao’s criminal challenges.
Colombia and El Salvador are also facing major threats from organized crime and have developed innovative strategies to combat them. Both consuls expressed their willingness to collaborate closely with Curaçao, aiming for a safer and more resilient Caribbean region.
Rotterdam Port Visit Highlights Drug Trafficking Concerns
Minister Hato also visited the Port of Rotterdam, one of the largest and busiest seaports in Europe, which plays a critical role in international cargo logistics. Unfortunately, the port is also a known hotspot for illicit drug trafficking.
During his visit, the Minister was briefed on the port’s advanced detection and monitoring systems used by Dutch customs and police to prevent the illegal import of controlled substances. Rotterdam's approach serves as a valuable model for Curaçao, which is also vulnerable to drug trafficking due to its geographic location.
Tripartite Meeting with Rotterdam Law Enforcement
Another important event during the visit was a "driehoeksoverleg" — a tripartite meeting between the police, the public prosecution service, and local authorities. Minister Hato and members of the Curaçao Police Force’s management team discussed shared challenges and strategies for crime prevention, identifying key lessons that could benefit both jurisdictions.
Apeldoorn Visit: Forensic Innovation and Modern Policing
In Apeldoorn, the Minister received detailed briefings on police recruitment, forensic investigations, and modern surveillance techniques. He visited the city’s “camera room”, where the use of security cameras was shown to play a vital role in crime prevention and public safety.
He also observed the use of Virtual Reality (VR) technology used in Dutch police training—an innovation Curaçao aims to explore as it continues modernizing its own police force.
Looking Ahead: Strategic Criminal Justice Reforms
Minister Hato's working visit reaffirmed the critical importance of international cooperation, knowledge exchange, and technological innovation in the fight against crime. Insights gained from meetings in the Netherlands will be incorporated into a strategic action plan aimed at strengthening Curaçao’s criminal justice system.
Upon his return, the Minister will present an evaluation report with concrete recommendations for implementing practices and technologies observed during the visit. He emphasized that the ongoing development of local law enforcement capacity remains a top priority for Curaçao’s justice policy, in order to ensure a safe, lawful, and just society.
