WILLEMSTAD - The U.S. Consulate General in Curaçao hosted a special celebration to mark the 249th birthday of the United States of America and the 75th anniversary of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt House. Distinguished guests, including Governor Lucille George-Wout, Prime Minister Pisas, members of Parliament, members of the diplomatic corps, and attendees from neighboring islands joined the annual celebration, which closed with an impressive fireworks display.  

In his remarks, U.S. Consul General Ramon “Chico” Negron highlighted the historical significance of the Roosevelt House, which was gifted to the U.S. Government in 1950 by the people and government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The residence was dedicated as a memorial to U.S. armed forces who served in the Netherlands West Indies during World War II and remains a symbol of the enduring relationship between the United States and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.  

“As we honor the legacy of our shared history, we also look ahead,” he said. “The United States is stepping forward with a renewed vision — one grounded in strength, security, and shared prosperity for our region. We will continue to partner with the people of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St. Eustatius, Sint Maarten, and the Netherlands, as we have done since that ‘First Salute’ off the coast of Statia in 1776.”  

The evening also included two key announcements:  

The U.S. Consulate General now has an official X account (formerly known as Twitter).  We encourage the public to follow updates at @USConGenCuracao.  

The Consul General officially announced his new role as U.S. Consul General and Chief of Mission to the Dutch Caribbean, succeeding John McNamara, who has been appointed Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Colombia.  

The event concluded with the Consul General expressing his gratitude to all attendees and reaffirming his commitment to maintain the strong relationship between the United States and the Dutch Caribbean.