Maduro holds almost two hundred Dutch people

oranjestad - Nearly two hundred Arubans have been trapped in Venezuela for days since the border blockade proclaimed by President Maduro. It concerns 187 people with a Dutch passport waiting for a solution of the border conflict.

Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes, in consultation with the Maduro government, called for a direct solution. 'I have asked our people to let go, because this is of great concern to me,' Wever-Croes said to this newspaper. The people are spread over four airports.

Venezuela last Friday closed the borders with the ABC Islands for 72 hours and has renewed that closure Tuesday. The socialist government accuses the Dutch Kingdom of doing nothing against mafia smuggling of gold, copper and diamonds from the South American country.

The Aruban government decided Tuesday to ban the import of uncertified copper and other minerals from Venezuela. In return, Wever-Croes demands that Dutch passport holders can safely leave the South American country. 'Venezuela is now on the move!'

The Maduro government, however, refuses to allow aircraft to take off towards the Antilles. Coming Friday, when there is top consultation between Venezuela and the Kingdom on Aruba, the topic concerning Caracas is only on the table. Wever-Croes: 'Only when those people are at home are I reassured. '