Dutch authorities advise caution in Venezuela as flights to Caribbean islands resume

Flights from the Netherlands to the Caribbean islands are set to resume Monday after widespread cancellations caused by the U.S. military strike on Venezuela, the Dutch government said. Officials emphasized that Curaçao, Aruba, and Bonaire are not in immediate danger.

Curaçao’s Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, Roderick Middelhof, told reporters Saturday that the island is well-prepared. “There is a three-month supply of medicine, enough food for three months, and fuel for six weeks,” he said. In the coming days, Middelhof anticipates the arrival of several tankers.

Hotels currently have sufficient capacity, despite thousands of tourists being unable to leave the islands due to canceled flights. The hotels will also cover the costs for the first 48 hours, he said. Cruise operations have largely continued, with one ship arriving on Saturday and two scheduled for Sunday. “One cruise scheduled for Monday has been canceled, but the consequences are limited,” Middelhof said.

The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised nationals in Venezuela to avoid unnecessary travel within the country. The number of Dutch citizens in Venezuela is unknown, but officials said they have received inquiries about canceled flights without any formal requests for consular assistance. The embassy in Caracas remains closed to the public but continues operations through the Netherlands Worldwide network.

Charles Cooper, Minister for Aviation at the Public Entity Bonaire, said he expects U.S. and Dutch flights to resume Sunday morning. “America has achieved its goal, namely removing Maduro from Caracas,” Cooper said. “There is no longer a reason to impose a flight ban.” Aruba’s former Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes confirmed that the island has sufficient supplies, and authorities on Bonaire said the temporary panic buying had not created lasting shortages.

The Dutch government has not formally condemned the U.S. military operation or the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Caretaker Foreign Minister David van Weel said it is too early to judge and that he wants to assess the U.S. press conference and domestic discussions first.

“We urge the United States to comply with international law, however wrong Maduro was,” Van Weel said. He added that the Netherlands was not informed in advance of the operation but noted that Dutch forces on the islands—roughly 800 personnel—are prepared for possible refugee flows. Van Weel said he expects flights to resume quickly, though the decision ultimately rests with the airlines.

The political response in the Netherlands has been critical. D66 leader Rob Jetten called the U.S. strike “against international law” despite acknowledging Maduro’s harmful governance. “Many Venezuelans will be relieved he is gone, but the current situation is not the way,” Jetten said. “Acting unilaterally without a UN mandate sets a precedent with major risks worldwide.” He urged the Netherlands and the European Union to pursue de-escalation and peaceful solutions.

Venezuelans in the Netherlands expressed continued concern. A spokesperson for the Viva Venezuela Foundation, which connects Venezuelans in the Netherlands, said fear and uncertainty persist despite Trump’s announcement that the U.S. will temporarily govern Venezuela until a safe handover is possible. “There is tremendous pain in society,” the spokesperson said. The group hopes Maduro’s government will eventually be tried at the International Criminal Court in The Hague to ensure justice for victims.

Social media calls have emerged for protests in Amsterdam. Volkeren voor Vrede and the Antifascistische oud-Verzetsstrijders Nederland plan a demonstration on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at the U.S. consulate on Museumplein, calling the U.S. action a “major terrorist attack."