Grid Instability Risks Blackouts as Curaçao Loses Confessional Machines

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Curaçao (RAC) has issued a public warning reminding residents and businesses that the sale and use of Starlink satellite internet services remain prohibited on the island without a proper concession. Starlink, the satellite broadband service operated by SpaceX, has not been granted the required operating license to function legally in Curaçao. The RAC's warning suggests that despite the legal prohibition, Starlink devices may be circulating or in use on the island, prompting the authority to take a public stance. Operating or selling telecommunications services without a concession violates local telecom regulations and can carry legal consequences. The reminder underscores the broader challenge Caribbean regulators face as globally popular tech services expand rapidly, often outpacing local licensing frameworks. Consumers who have purchased or are using Starlink equipment could potentially face penalties under current law. The RAC has not yet indicated whether any enforcement actions have been taken against specific individuals or vendors.

Curaçao's Parliament resumed a session that originally began in February 2026 to address the latest developments surrounding Oryx/Vigor, the company contracted to operate the Isla Refinery and Bullenbaai. Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas confirmed in response to parliamentary questions that the contract with Oryx/Vigor is effectively dead. According to Pisas, the refinery may still conduct blending operations, but full refining activities will no longer take place under the current arrangement. The collapse of the Oryx/Vigor deal marks a significant setback for Curaçao's long-troubled efforts to revive the Isla Refinery, which has been central to the island's economic ambitions for years. The fate of the refinery and Bullenbaai terminal now remains uncertain, raising fresh questions about the island's energy and economic future. Parliament is continuing to seek clarity on next steps following the breakdown of the agreement.

Workers at the Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) gathered early yesterday morning with their union to negotiate a new Collective Labor Agreement (CAO). The meeting was confirmed by the CBV (Curaçao Federation of Workers), whose president led the effort. The CAO negotiations are a formal process through which employees and employers establish wages, working conditions, and other labor terms. The talks signal ongoing discussions between CMC staff and management over employment terms at the island's primary hospital. The outcome of these negotiations could have significant implications for healthcare workers and the broader functioning of CMC. No agreement has been announced yet, and discussions appear to be in early stages.