April 1, 2025
Dear Secretary General Antonio Guterres,
We write on behalf of the people of Bonaire, in collaboration with the Bonaire Human
Rights Organization, Ministerio Evangeliko Di Akshon (Evangelical Ministry In Action) and SC Labor Union STrAF Division Bonaire, Statia and Saba, to bring to your urgent attention to the growing concerns regarding the Dutch government’s actions, which threaten peace and stability in our region. The people of Bonaire do not see Venezuela as a military threat, nor do we support any efforts to provoke tensions between our island and our neighboring countries. Bonaire has by history always maintained peaceful relations with Venezuela, many Bonerians have historical ties and are descendance from Venezuela and there is a substantial Venezuelan community on Bonaire, where we all have always lived peacefully together and any attempt to portray otherwise is misleading and unjustified.
We are particularly concerned in light of a recent letter from the Governor of Bonaire (see attached) to the Dutch government, which instills fear and creates panic among the local population. Governor Soliano not elected and not representing the people of Bonaire but appointed by and representing the King and Dutch Government has initiated a possible provocation with Bonaire neighbor country Venezuela. Governor Soliana calls on the Dutch Government, Minister Brekelmans of Defense and Minister Veldkamp of Foreign Affairs, as the Governor sees Venezuela as military threat and therefore for possible interference and intervention and possible NATO military base on Bonaire in our opinion that will lead to provocation and escalation to military conflict.
Furthermore, it is deeply concerning that the Governor appointed by Holland is seemingly using the Venezuelan refugee issue as an excuse to justify the establishment of a NATO military base on our island in the near future.
Bonaire was integrated into the Dutch Constitution without the consent of its people following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles in 2010 that resulted in Bonaire losing its autonomy. In a 2015 referendum, 66% of the Bonairean people rejected this imposed illegal structure. Bonaireans are governed against their will in a status not of their choosing, becoming completely subordinated to the government in The Hague and are also not part of the European Union.
Is it a coincidence that the former Prime Minister of Holland Rutte is the current Secretary General of NATO at this moment this provocation is building up? The humanitarian situation of Venezuelan migrants should not be manipulated to serve geopolitical or military agendas.
The Caribbean has been declared a Zone of Peace by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the establishment of a NATO military base in Bonaire, just 50 miles from the Venezuelan coast, is a real provocation that could lead to armed conflict in the Caribbean. This is a direct threat to regional peace and security and goes against the interests of the people of Bonaire, who wish to remain neutral and uninvolved in foreign military confrontations.
Governor Soliana letter of a military threat to the Dutch government raises serious concerns among our people. Such actions create unnecessary hostility and could destabilize the region. The militarization of our island against an imagined Venezuelan threat does not reflect the will of the people of Bonaire and instead serves foreign strategic interests at our expense.
Aruba and Curacao are closer to Venezuela, while Bonaire is the furthest from Venezuela of the three islands. Contrary as implied by Governor Soliano, Venezuelan refugees have not been a significant issue for Bonaire.
Aruba and Curacao are autonomous and self-governing with their own Prime Minister, contrary to Bonaire that is ruled from The Hague. Recently the Government of Aruba refused the Dutch government’s initiative to establish a military base on the island of Aruba.
We, the undersigned, express our joint statement of opposition to the militarization of
Bonaire. The Bonaire Human Rights Organization, Ministerio Evangeliko Di Akshon (Evangelical Ministry In Action) and SC Labor Union STrAF Division Bonaire, Statia and Saba stand together in the belief that the rights and desires of the people of Bonaire must be respected. Bonaire and the Caribbean region should remain a peaceful, demilitarized territory where human rights, social stability, and regional cooperation are upheld.
We respectfully request your urgent attention to this matter and seek the United Nations’ support in ensuring that Bonaire remains a peaceful and demilitarized territory in accordance with international law.
Sincerely,
S.J. Finies
Bonaire Human Rights Organization Foundation
S.B. Marten
Chairman SC labor union STrAF Division Bonaire, Statia and Saba
A.J. Martinus
Ministerio Evangeliko Den Akshon