PAR: Curaçao Lost Five Years by Dropping Bunkering and Blending Strategy

An analysis by the Curaçao Chronicle reveals that Curaçao has formal access to Horizon Europe, the European Union's flagship research and innovation funding program worth tens of billions of euros, yet the island has recorded zero approved projects under the program. As a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Curaçao is eligible to participate in EU research frameworks, giving it a significant advantage over fully independent Caribbean nations. Despite this eligibility, structural barriers — likely including limited research infrastructure, a small academic sector, and lack of institutional capacity to navigate complex EU grant applications — appear to have prevented any successful participation. The absence of Curaçao from Horizon Europe's project registry represents a major missed opportunity for scientific development, economic diversification, and innovation on the island. Experts and observers are increasingly calling attention to the gap between theoretical access and practical participation, urging local government and institutions to develop strategies to capitalize on available EU funding. The issue highlights a broader challenge facing small island territories: being eligible for large funding mechanisms does not automatically translate into the capacity to compete for them.

Dan Driscoll, the Undersecretary of the United States Army, submitted his resignation on Monday following months of internal conflict with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Driscoll, informally known as the 'drone guy' for his strong advocacy of unmanned systems in modern warfare, had reportedly clashed with Hegseth over strategic and operational priorities within the Defense Department. The friction between the two officials had been building for several months before reaching a breaking point. His departure marks another significant leadership shake-up within the Pentagon under the current administration. The resignation raises questions about continuity of Army policy, particularly regarding the development and deployment of drone technology. Driscoll's exit is seen as a sign of deeper tensions within the upper ranks of the U.S. military establishment.

Negotiations over a new collective labor agreement (CAO) for healthcare workers on the BES islands — Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba — have stalled, with no resolution in sight. The talks aim to establish equal and fair employment conditions for care workers across the three islands, which are special municipalities of the Netherlands. While all parties involved agree that a new CAO is necessary, they have been unable to reach a final agreement on its terms. The deadlock leaves healthcare workers on these islands in a state of uncertainty regarding their wages and working conditions. Equal labor conditions for BES healthcare workers have long been a point of contention, as workers there often face disparities compared to their counterparts in the European Netherlands. The outcome of these negotiations is significant given the already strained healthcare infrastructure on small island communities. No timeline has been set for when talks may resume or reach a breakthrough.