Curaçao Government Appoints Interim CORE Director Despite Negative Advisory

The Public Entity of Bonaire (OLB) has confirmed that all government services will continue as normal despite a coalition breakdown in the Island Council. The governing executive board made the announcement after the UPB party withdrew from the coalition on July 30, triggering a political crisis on the island. Despite the political instability, the executive board stressed that day-to-day operations and public services will not be interrupted. The collapse of the coalition raises questions about the future governance and decision-making capacity of Bonaire's Island Council. This situation is significant as it could affect the island's ability to pass legislation and budgets in the near term. Residents can expect continuity in essential services while political negotiations or restructuring takes place.

Scotland has announced a ban on the centuries-old annual hunt of young gannets on Sula Sgeir, an uninhabited island in the Atlantic Ocean. The hunt, known as the 'guga hunt,' has been carried out every summer for hundreds of years by men from the Hebridean village of Ness on the Isle of Lewis. Hunters would travel to the remote island and harvest young northern gannets, known locally as 'gugas,' which are considered a traditional delicacy. The Scottish government decided to end the practice, citing conservation concerns as gannet populations face increasing pressure. The ban marks a significant turning point for a cultural tradition that had long been granted a special legal exemption from wildlife protection laws. Animal welfare advocates have praised the decision, while some local communities view the end of the hunt as a loss of an important part of their cultural heritage.

Curaçao has issued its first three residency permits under the Rib'e Lugá legalization program, marking a concrete milestone in the government's effort to regularize undocumented residents on the island. The three recipients are minor siblings who, according to the Ministry of Justice, were prioritized and processed first within the program. Rib'e Lugá — a Papiamento phrase meaning 'on solid ground' — was established to provide a legal pathway for long-term undocumented residents to obtain formal residency status. In addition to announcing the first permits, authorities have also extended the registration period for the program, allowing more eligible individuals additional time to apply. The extension signals that the government is committed to broad participation and recognizes that reaching all eligible applicants takes time. The issuance of permits to minors first reflects a policy focus on vulnerable populations within the legalization process. The program is seen as a significant step toward addressing Curaçao's longstanding undocumented population challenge.