WASHINGTON D.C.--The Netherlands has joined the United Kingdom (UK) and Colombia in restricting intelligence cooperation with the United States (US) following a series of controversial missile strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean. The move marks one of the most significant diplomatic repercussions to date stemming from the American operations near the so-called ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao).
This development was revealed in a letter sent by US congressmen Jim Himes and Joaquin Castro to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The letter represents the first formal acknowledgment from within the House of Representatives that three close allies – including a partner within the kingdom – have scaled back intelligence exchange activities.
According to the two lawmakers, both Dutch civilian and military intelligence agencies have publicly stated that they “sometimes no longer share information” with the US due to concerns over the legality and human rights implications of the airstrikes.
This step from The Hague adds to growing unease within the transatlantic security community. Himes and Castro specifically cite fears of human rights violations and the politicisation of intelligence – two red lines in European-US security cooperation.
The Netherlands is not alone. The UK, a core member of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, has also reduced cooperation. Meanwhile Colombia, a long-standing regional security partner, has suspended all contacts with US agencies as long as the so-called “boat strikes” continue. Colombian officials have labelled the attacks illegal.
These coordinated pull-backs represent an unprecedented rift within the US' most critical intelligence networks.
Himes and Castro warn that the breakdown in trust “threatens US national security,” noting that America’s global intelligence partnerships serve as a “force multiplier” that the country cannot afford to lose.
They have requested an immediate briefing from Gabbard detailing:
* The extent of the damage caused to intelligence alliances
* The operational impact on US security
* Steps the administration intends to take to repair trust with allied nations
* Strains in a historically strong partnership
The inclusion of the Netherlands in the list of dissenting nations is politically sensitive. The US and Dutch Kingdom maintain one of the closest security partnerships in the region, including aviation cooperation, military basing and maritime counter-narcotics operations.
That such a long-standing ally is now openly scaling back intelligence sharing underscores the deep diplomatic fallout from the American missile operations and highlights growing international concern about the lack of transparency and oversight surrounding the strikes. As the controversy expands, pressure is mounting on Washington to justify its actions and restore confidence among its most trusted partners.
