Dutch pulls out of joint drugs operation with US in Caribbean

The Dutch government has said that it is temporarily withdrawing from joint anti-narcotic operations with the US in the Caribbean because it is uncomfortable with the deadly American attacks on suspected go-fast vessels in the South Caribbean.

Outgoing Minister of Defense Ruben Brekelmans announced the withdrawal on a visit to the Dutch Caribbean territory of Aruba this week, arguing that suspicious vessels are no longer being intercepted by joint military forces but are being fired upon with deadly consequences by the American military.

Local media quoted the minister as saying that The Netherlands disagree with the American approach, so it is stepping back for now. “The Americans have chosen a different route. That is their choice, but we are not part of it,” he was quoted as saying. “We have worked together with the Americans on counter-narcotics for many years, but in a different way,” Brekelmans told the Dutch daily Trouw. “When we see drug smuggling, we try to arrest and prosecute those responsible. Not by shooting ships. We must always be prepared for different scenarios. But you also have to look realistically at what the actual threats are,” he said.

The Dutch now says that it will work in its own geographic theater, keeping an eye on its territories in the region that includes St. Maarten, Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire, most of which are close to the South American mainland.

The US military has attacked crews on vessels it has claimed to be fetching drugs headed to the US in both the Atlantic and the Pacific, killing more than 100 people and sparking global condemnation.

In late November, the British government also announced a suspension of intelligence sharing with the US in the wake of the deadly strikes on vessels and crews.