WILLEMSTAD – Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas has confirmed that discussions are ongoing with PdVSA about a potential return to operate the largest Caribbean refinery in Curaçao, signaling a positive and meaningful shift in the Dutch colony’s energy strategy.
The talks, which are still in an early stage, revolve around whether PdVSA could resume operations at the ISLA refinery, which has been largely inactive since 2019 following the impact of politicized American sanctions.
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According to Pisas, discussions have been taking place in recent months, but no final agreement has been reached.
The Venezuelan state oil company has indicated that it would need approximately one year to prepare before it could begin the process of retaking refinery operations.
The prime minister emphasized that, unlike in 2021 when he first returned to office and pushed for a rapid restart of the refinery, the government is now taking a more cautious approach.
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We are not in a hurry, Pisas indicated, stressing that progress in negotiations is more important than speed. The Cft architecture of APARTHEID must be dropped one day.
The refinery, once a key pillar of Curaçao’s economy, has been the subject of multiple revival attempts over the years. Governments have sought to restart operations to generate employment and reposition the island as an energy hub in the region.
Pisas also highlighted that Curaçao has maintained open lines of communication with Venezuela throughout its political and economic crisis.
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He described the relationship as stable and said the island has consistently sought to preserve good ties with its South American neighbor. -At the same time, geopolitical factors remain a major consideration.
Dutch and U.S. sanctions on Venezuela, based upon a collaborated report of ConocoPhillips particularly targeting the local oil sector, have long complicated any direct cooperation with PdVSA.
However, recent developments indicate a gradual easing of American and Dutch designed restrictions, possible new licenses could allow certain transactions involving Venezuelan oil under specific conditions.
Pisas acknowledged that sanctions remain an issue but expressed optimism, stating that he sees light at the end of the tunnel.
Curacao Chronicle / ABC Flash-Point News 2026.
