07.01.2026 08:52
The Dutch government announced that it would temporarily suspend its drug trafficking cooperation with the United States in the region due to Washington's attacks on ships over allegations of drug trafficking in the Caribbean.
According to a report by the Dutch public broadcaster NOS, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans, who visited Aruba, one of the countries belonging to the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Caribbean, made statements about their cooperation with the United States in combating drug trafficking in the region.
COOPERATION WITH THE U.S. SUSPENDED
Brekelmans stated that they would suspend their cooperation with the U.S. in the fight against drug trafficking, noting that this move was related to Washington's attacks on certain boats in the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean, which were accused of drug trafficking.
Additionally, Brekelmans announced that ships belonging to the Dutch navy would no longer support anti-drug operations in international waters and would only patrol in their own territorial waters.
"WE ARE NOT A PART OF THIS"
Brekelmans conveyed that the U.S. has taken a different approach by "attacking them instead of detaining individuals suspected of drug trafficking," stating, "This is entirely their decision; we are not a part of this."
The Netherlands has control over 6 islands in the Caribbean, 3 of which are countries belonging to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
OPERATION BEGAN IN 2025
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on November 14, 2025, that they had launched the Southern Lance Operation aimed at combating drug trafficking in the Western Hemisphere. Hegseth also stated that the operation, to be conducted under the leadership of the Southern Lance Joint Task Force and Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), aims to protect the U.S. mainland, neutralize "drug terrorists" in the Western Hemisphere, and prevent drug-related deaths.
THE U.S. TARGETED BOATS AND THEIR OCCUPANTS
The U.S. military conducted attacks on certain boats in the Caribbean region and the Pacific Ocean, accusing them of drug trafficking, directly targeting the people inside. These actions by the U.S. have sparked discussions about "extrajudicial killings" in the international public sphere.