Two Dutch Caribbean islands became independent countries early this morning after the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved, five years after legal proceedings began.
With the end of the Netherlands Antilles, the islands of Curacao (population 142,000) and St Maarten (population 37,000) will continue as independent countries but remain in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Three other islands that were also part of the Netherlands Antilles – Bonaire (population 13,000), St Eustatius (2,900 inhabitants) and Saba (population 1,700) – will continue as special municipalities within the Netherlands.
that is awesome i am so happy
that is good and all and i know that they gained independence but i would like to know which country were they dependent on
Whoever wrote the above article should be ashamed of themselves. Do some investigative journalism before writing such trash. St Maarten and Curacao are far from independent countries, In fact they are even more tied to the colonial master than before.
Shame on you Journalist.
This article is incorrect that the islands are now “independent”. They simply have had a change in their status, which is now, a “constituent” country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. They have greater autonomy but are not independent, as independence would mean they are sovereign states, which they are not!
that is great for them but i would like to know what country the were dependent on before the became independent?
Curacao tabong. Metabolbebec. Bonnayetama. Tabong, tabong.
Congratulations are in order!!! may the Lord guide and protect the leadrs of this beautfiul Caribbean island. May the leaders seek God face and guidance in making decissions.
@M.Jacques: the netherlands antilles was a mistake from the start,,if you go and chk the history of the dutch with indonisia,just after the ww11,the dutch went and killen allmmost a half of million ppl there,the u.n. chase them out,they slaughterd inocent peasants and farmers,cause the house of oranje had large investment there,after the war,then curacao called on ellection,calling for the own rule,the dutch then give it to them,while still remember what they did to poor peasant in the pacific,while the U.N. charter did not permit any colllonialism, and holland wanted still to rule that way,so the had to give it up,but they made a mistake,it had to set up as the french set up the french west indies,or like the americans with the virgin islands,and p,rico,it was a mess they did,now the want to clean it up
and they allready start with dirty polititians,greedy policemen,immigration got locked up,and even 2 public prosicutors,so they have more ppl to black mail when ever they ready,
the dutch are no diffrent like the americans or russians or the french,
@T. Winston: Same as we are Independent yet in the British Commonwealth.
@Jay: you are correct with the diffrence of both half of the island,but st.maarten is stil dutch!,if you go to the airport you’ll seee the dutch flag still hoisting,
@de caribbean change – BBA, MBA, CPA: aruba has the same status like st.maarten and curacao,but much nicer infrastructure
@mouth of the south: curacao is or has the same land mass like dominica,my mother is a curacao,and they’re are not indept,just a seperate status,with in the dutch kingdom,yet the Gov represents the crown,and they have a prim min
How about Aruba? Soca Rhumba. No mention.
@Zee Dominican: Zorry for offending you. But zee attitude izz unnecezzary. And even if zey are not independent, iz zere something wrong with zat? Grow up pleezze. It wuz juzt an obzervation. People like you make me zo zick.
You have not been following and can’t read either. They are independent, they can make laws and such, but they are independent within the kingdom of the Netherlands. This is some what true of the dependent British Islands in the Caribbean. They are responsible for themselves. Only in the Turks that the British have infused direct rule due to corruption. I have read separate article from the AP and the too have also used the term independent.
I’ve been following this information for almost a year now, and no where is the word INDEPENDENT mentioned.
Is it that St. Maarten is independent from Curacao in terms of passing laws, taking decisions etc. and is now able to go directly to Holland? OR is it that St. Maarten is a sovereign nation.
The same was said on the DBS news this morning. Please kindly confirm this information. Thanks.
Excuse me for misunderstanding
but if they are independent why are they still in the kingdom of the Netherlands?
@mouth of the south: yes but bear in mind curacao is basically flat compared to the hills, mountains, cliffs that suddenly drop straight and volcanoes. this, as well as development prohibits us from having a larger population
now i wonder if u get a dutch passport when born in st. maarten or curacao,,,, like i always say in d.a our biggest problem is lack of population,,,, little curacao have over 100000 people,,,,thats alot for the size of that land………
congratulations to both islands.
@st thomas usvi: Check the spelling of which part of the island they are talking about.
Why a small piece of island flt the need to be independent?
@st thomas usvi: French side is St. Martin, former dutch side is ST. Maarten. When they entire ilsand is referred to they are St. Martin/St. Maarten, but if only one side, then the spelling will tell you which.
congratulation to Curacao & St.Maarten
congratulation to our sweet Curacao
congratulation to our beautiful Dutch Island Curacao,& also to St.Maarten.
independent from the dutch but what about the french i thought st marteen was french and dutch
I guess they did not get the memo! :-(
This new country will learn quickly that sole dependence on a tourism will have a backlash. I not talking about governance an integrity and those kinds of things there!!!! My backyard not that clean papa.
I read with interest the article above and was wondering whether the writer was mistakenly talking about St.Maarten in the 3rd paragraph.
Curaçao has always exclusively reaped the benefit of its taxes and its borrowing both on the central and Island level (inseparable.) thus the reason for this historical event called locally ’10-10-10.’
It was St.Maarten who 10 years ago via a referendum that voted to leave the Netherlands Antilles consolation that in turn cause a chain reaction where the Netherlands Antilles is no more just a name in the history books as of today.
Curaçao was never in support of the change since they were the farmer that milk the fat cows as they pleased. The fat St.Maarten cow being out of the farmer’s control render his farm a liability.
It is now strange to read “Curaçao is thrilled to announce our status as the newest country in the world,” Was that a matter of choice? It sure was not.
It is always nice having one rule their destiny. When ones input is equal their output they have no one else to thank or blame.
Welcome Status Apart and farewell Netherlands Antilles.