European Parliament Wants More Help For The Caribbean Islands

BRUSSELS - The President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, wants the European Commission to give more support to Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. The islands are currently being flooded with refugees from Venezuela.

According to the chairman of the parliament, the islands can barely accommodate the number of refugees. "It's 10,000 Venezuelans, that's more than ten percent of the population."

European Commissioner Stylianides for Humanitarian Aid visited the refugees on the border with Colombia last week. "That is important, but let's not forget the refugees on the Dutch islands," says Tajani.

MEP Esther de Lange from the CDA agrees: "This is a very important signal from the President of the EP. The economic consequences for our islands are enormous, but the influx of economic migrants also creates extra pressure. European attention and funds must therefore also be focused on our islands and not only on the neighboring countries of Venezuela on the mainland."

Venezuela has fallen prey to a severe economic and political crisis. Inflation is sky high, shelves in the supermarkets are empty and there are no medicines available. Many Venezuelans, therefore, seek a better life in the surrounding countries.

The Antilleans also feel the crisis through the blockade proclaimed by Venezuelan President Maduro for Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. As a result, for example, the floating market in Willemstad, where many people buy their fruit and vegetables, is hardly supplied anymore.

Photo: Antonio Tajani