Demonstrators
WILLEMSTAD--Activist groups “Sin Kabes” and Curaçao Nature Conservation staged a protest on Sunday against construction and development projects across the island that they say do not sufficiently consider the interests of local residents or the environment.
They held what they described as a passive demonstration near Botica Juliana, seeking to start a broader public discussion about how Curaçao is being developed and who ultimately benefits from that. Rather than targeting one particular project, the organisations pointed to developments taking place in several places, including Penstraat, Zakitó, Bapor Kibrá, Otrobanda, Pietermaai, Santa Martha, Willibrordus, Westpunt, Caracasbaai and Piscadera.
According to them, an increasing number of areas are being developed without sufficient clarity about what local communities gain in return. They also argue that some projects are affecting natural areas on land and at sea, while potentially changing Curaçao’s culture and the living environment of surrounding communities.
The demonstration was also intended to provide residents with an opportunity to share their experiences with construction projects and other spatial developments in their neighbourhoods. “Sin Kabes” and Curaçao Nature Conservation said they hope to gather more information about the impact of development in different parts of Curaçao and give residents a stronger voice in discussions about the island’s future.
The organisations argue that decisions about new projects should not be based solely on economic considerations. They want policymakers and developers to also consider the interests of nearby communities, environmental conservation and continued public accessibility to important areas.
Their protest comes amid increasing public debate over Curaçao’s rapid development, particularly in coastal and historically significant areas where tourism, real estate investment, environmental protection and public access can compete for limited space. The groups say their objective is not simply to oppose development, but to encourage a model in which residents are more closely involved in decisions about how Curaçao changes and grows.
