As reported by the NOS publication
The Royal Netherlands Navy is temporarily suspending joint actions with the United States in the fight against drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea. The decision was announced by the Dutch Ministry of Defence, citing different approaches to stopping suspected vessels in international waters off Venezuela.
According to the ministry, the U.S. policy of attacking vessels departing from Venezuelan ports leads to the deaths of people without due process. Because of these actions, the Netherlands has decided to suspend previously agreed cooperative operations. Previously, the Dutch Navy closely coordinated actions with the U.S. Coast Guard in the fight against drug smuggling in the region, where the main routes pass through the islands of Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
As part of the joint operation, Dutch sailors often boarded suspicious vessels in international waters, relying on U.S. intelligence data. According to the Ministry of Defence, over the past five years tens of thousands of kilograms of cocaine have been intercepted in the Caribbean, and those detained were usually handed over to the American side for prosecution in courts.
Regarding the escalation between the United States and Venezuela: at the beginning of autumn, the U.S. military attacked a vessel off the coast of Venezuela, and reports from Washington spoke of the deaths of several militants. There was also another attack, along with other attacks on Venezuelan vessels in international waters, after which Venezuela began military exercises in the region amid rising tensions. The government of Venezuela asked the United Nations Security Council to convene an urgent meeting on the actions of the United States in waters near the country’s southern coast. At the same time, the United States imposed a series of sanctions, including against Venezuelan oil tankers and related companies. Following further statements from Washington, the region continued to monitor developments, and tensions between the countries remained high.
Impact on the region and prospects for cooperation
With the Netherlands’ announcement of a temporary halt to joint operations, the security situation in the Caribbean takes on a new context. The region continues to monitor developments between the United States and Venezuela and assesses the potential consequences of a change in cooperation among allies.
In summary, the Dutch Ministry of Defence noted that the temporary suspension does not mean abandoning the overall fight against drug trafficking, but requires a review of tactics and ways to coordinate with partners.
fusionsofwonder on January 6th, 2026 at 16:40 UTC »
Probably should have done that when the US killed the shipwreck survivors. I believe the UK suspended intelligence sharing in the region with the US right after that.
thesquidsquidly22 on January 6th, 2026 at 15:42 UTC »
Europe needs to cut off the US and become self reliant. Immediately. Threatening Greenland and Canada and Mexico is unacceptable. Especially after the follow through of capturing Maduro after threatening to do so. Take the threats very serious.
lykia1991 on January 6th, 2026 at 15:34 UTC »
The Royal Netherlands Navy is temporarily suspending joint actions with the United States in the fight against drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea. The decision was announced by the Dutch Ministry of Defence, citing different approaches to stopping suspected vessels in international waters off Venezuela.
According to the ministry, the U.S. policy of attacking vessels departing from Venezuelan ports leads to the deaths of people without due process. Because of these actions, the Netherlands has decided to suspend previously agreed cooperative operations. Previously, the Dutch Navy closely coordinated actions with the U.S. Coast Guard in the fight against drug smuggling in the region, where the main routes pass through the islands of Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
As part of the joint operation, Dutch sailors often boarded suspicious vessels in international waters, relying on U.S. intelligence data. According to the Ministry of Defence, over the past five years tens of thousands of kilograms of cocaine have been intercepted in the Caribbean, and those detained were usually handed over to the American side for prosecution in courts.
Regarding the escalation between the United States and Venezuela: at the beginning of autumn, the U.S. military attacked a vessel off the coast of Venezuela, and reports from Washington spoke of the deaths of several militants. There was also another attack, along with other attacks on Venezuelan vessels in international waters, after which Venezuela began military exercises in the region amid rising tensions. The government of Venezuela asked the United Nations Security Council to convene an urgent meeting on the actions of the United States in waters near the country’s southern coast. At the same time, the United States imposed a series of sanctions, including against Venezuelan oil tankers and related companies. Following further statements from Washington, the region continued to monitor developments, and tensions between the countries remained high.
Impact on the region and prospects for cooperation With the Netherlands’ announcement of a temporary halt to joint operations, the security situation in the Caribbean takes on a new context. The region continues to monitor developments between the United States and Venezuela and assesses the potential consequences of a change in cooperation among allies.
In summary, the Dutch Ministry of Defence noted that the temporary suspension does not mean abandoning the overall fight against drug trafficking, but requires a review of tactics and ways to coordinate with partners.