The Dutch Ministry of Defense uses a protected nature reserve on Curaçao as a military training and shooting area, while no permits have been applied for. This has emerged from research by Follow the Money.
It is a former plantation on Curaçao, Wacawa. A military training village of sea containers was built in 2019 on a bare plain there. Defense shared there earlier these images from Facebook. It is the most important exercise area in the Caribbean.
“Live shots are being used in that area”, says FTM journalist Pepijn Keppel on NPO Radio 1. “Mortar shells are also fired, anti-tank missiles are fired and fired at open sea.” An Antillean fishing boat has already been hit by machine gun bullets.
Protected nature area
According to the Curaçao Island Development Plan, Wacawa is a conservation area. Rare and endangered species live there, such as sea turtles, birds, bats and the Curaçao white-tailed deer, the island’s largest land mammal. The areas are intended for the “preservation and restoration of natural scientific, historical, cultural and landscape values”.
From documents requested by Follow the Money, invoking the Government Information Act (WOB), it appears that the Ministry of Defense has not applied for a permit for the activities and military exercises on Wacawa. The defense top on the island knew about this, but decided to continue construction anyway.
Curaçao needs Defense
The application form for the permit states that there will be two months in prison and a fine of more than 2,200 euros if construction is carried out without a permit.
According to FTM journalist Keppel, it may have the consequence for the Ministry of Defense that the training ground must be demolished, but the Curaçao authorities do not intervene. “Especially because the Defense has an important role in Curaçao. Dutch soldiers defend the coast and ensure that not too many refugees arrive on the island. So Curaçao also needs Defense.”
The Ministry of Defense says it “regrets the state of affairs and will do everything it can to resolve the situation as soon as possible”. Defense assumes that it can continue to use the site.
–
