ORANJSTAD, Aruba -War Room 2.0, held in Oranjestad from 10 to 14 November 2025, brought together analysts, intelligence officers, and investigators from across the Kingdom of the Netherlands — including the Caribbean Netherlands — to jointly tackle firearms-related crime. Working in one shared space, the teams generated enough intelligence to launch three new criminal investigations, produced ten intelligence products, and gained a clearer picture of the growing firearms crisis in the Caribbean.
The initiative focused on Kingdom-wide patterns in the transport, trade, possession, and use of firearms, combining local data, international sources, OSINT techniques, and advanced analysis tools. Organized by the Inter-Island Information Coordination Platform (IICP) and the Dutch National Police, the event builds on a successful pilot earlier in 2025. Participants included the five police forces of the Kingdom, the RST, the Marechaussee, and the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard, with close involvement from the Public Prosecution Service.
Opened by Aruba’s Minister of Justice Rocco Dowers and Chief of Police Ramon Arnhem, the event underscored the urgency of the region’s escalating firearms problem. A serious firearms incident during the week further highlighted the importance of rapid intelligence sharing. Analysis confirmed strong links between firearms, drugs, and gangs, and revealed individuals operating across the Kingdom using shared routes and facilitators.
Cooperation in practice
According to the Police Chiefs, War Room 2.0 demonstrates that Kingdom-wide cooperation has moved from ambition to practice. A follow-up edition is planned for next year, with the aim of involving CARICOM IMPACS and expanding regional collaboration even further.
