Ceuta Crisis Continues to Haunt Spanish PM Sánchez

Hensley Harms is calling on the full Parliament of Curaçao to conduct a more thorough examination of the situation surrounding 2Bays, the company better known as Refineria di Kòrsou (Curaçao Refinery). According to Harms, Parliament recently addressed matters related to the refinery — including references and the financial position of the company — but he argues the session did not go nearly far enough. Harms suggests that after years of issues surrounding the refinery and its grounds, a surface-level parliamentary review is insufficient. The refinery, located on the island of Curaçao, has long been a politically and economically sensitive issue for the island's government and residents. 2Bays took over operations with promises of revitalizing the once-critical industrial facility, making its financial health and operational status a matter of significant public interest. Harms' remarks signal ongoing concern among some political figures that Parliament is not exercising adequate oversight over the company and its activities.

The Stichting Papa Godett (SPG), a foundation named after the late Curaçaoan politician Wilson 'Papa' Godett, has formally requested management authority over the plaza bearing his name in the Punda district of Willemstad. The request has been submitted to the Ministry of Traffic, Transport, and Urban Planning, which currently oversees public spaces of this nature. The foundation's bid signals a desire to honor Godett's legacy through active stewardship of the plaza, which serves as a prominent public gathering space in one of Curaçao's busiest commercial and cultural neighborhoods. If approved, the SPG would take on responsibilities for the day-to-day management and upkeep of the square. The outcome of the request depends on the ministry's review and any formal procedures that govern the transfer of management rights over public spaces. The move reflects a broader trend of community organizations seeking a more direct role in managing landmarks tied to local historical figures.

Civil service unions in Curaçao held talks with the Council of Ministers on Wednesday to discuss working conditions and labor relations. The unions themselves requested the meeting, citing concerns about how the government has been treating civil servants. The discussion centered on employment terms and the broader relationship between the government and its public sector workforce. The meeting signals growing tension between organized labor and the administration over how civil servant affairs are being managed. Such talks are significant given that government employees make up a substantial portion of Curaçao's workforce, and any unresolved disputes could lead to broader labor actions. The outcome of the discussions has not yet been publicly disclosed, but the unions' decision to initiate the meeting suggests they feel current channels of communication have been insufficient.