Dutch government proposes extending US surveillance agreement in Curaçao and Aruba

The Dutch government is seeking a five-year extension of an agreement allowing US military aircraft to use designated airport facilities in Curaçao and Aruba for surveillance, according to a Foreign Affairs Council report dated Monday 12 October. If the required procedures are completed, the arrangement would run until 2 November 2031.

The agreement has been in place since 2000 and permits unarmed aerial surveillance aimed at identifying suspected drug trafficking and gathering intelligence on international narcotics networks, the Dutch government said. It does not authorise armed military missions from the airports.

The proposed renewal would be the fourth extension of the agreement. Under the Kingdom Act on treaty approval and publication, the Dutch government must formally notify the Parliaments of Curaçao and Aruba. Designated parliamentary representatives may then request a formal approval procedure before the extension takes effect.

The Dutch government said the outcome of that process will determine whether the agreement is renewed under the proposed arrangements.