Minister of Defence visits the Dutch Caribbean

The Daily Herald writes that Minister of Defence Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert will visit Curaçao, St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba April 6-10. During her visit, the minister will visit the Dutch military forces that carry out defence and police duties in the Caribbean part of the Dutch kingdom and will hold talks with military and civilian authorities. The minister will be guest of the Commander of the Netherlands Forces in the Caribbean today, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

The military units in the Caribbean are to protect the territories, bring stability and maintain the law within the Dutch Caribbean and are to assist in case of disasters and calamities. As director of the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard, the commander is responsible for maritime law enforcement and search-and-rescue at sea.

In Willemstad, Minister Hennis will speak with Governor Lucille George-Wout, Deputy Prime Minister Etienne van der Horst, Minister of Justice Nelson Navarro and President of Parliament Marcoliono Franco.

On Wednesday, Hennis will visit Statia and Saba, where she will speak with Island Governors Gerald Berkel and Jonathan Johnson and with personnel of the Royal Marechaussees.

She will conclude her visit on St. Maarten, where she will meet with Governor Eugene Holiday, Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs and Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson.