Western Hemisphere 131
Fatalities: None
Narrative: The Dutch sent a warship to Venezuela following Venezuelan moves to
seize Dutch ships and citizens. The primary issue was Dutch holdings off the coast of
Curacao, Aruba, and Bonaire, and Venezuelan revolutionaries attempting to use the
islands as a headquarters to foment rebellions.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from Missing. End Date changed from Missing.
MID#1063
Dispute Number: 1063
Date(s): June 13, 1908 to December 23, 1908
Participants: 210 Netherlands/101 Venezuela
Outcome (and Settlement): Yield by side B (Imposed)
Fatalities: None
Narrative: Relations between the Netherlands and Venezuela worsened dramatically
in 1908 as a slew of issues came between the two states, mostly involving matters
on the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao, which is just off Venezuela’s coast. The
year saw an outbreak of bubonic plague at the port of Venezuela’s capital, which was
followed by a Dutch quarantine that significantly insulted Venezuelan honor. This
event was followed by a Venezuelan accusation of arms smuggling from Curacao into
Venezuela, aimed at undermining the Venezuelan leader. Venezuela followed the mis-
understanding with a seizure of four Dutch vessels. The Dutch minister in Caracas was
handed his passport on July 21 and asked to leave. The Dutch considered the events a
significant insult to national honor.
After receiving assurances from the United States that there would be no objection
to a Dutch blockade, provided no territory was seized, the Dutch ordered the ships it
dispatched to Venezuelan waters on July 30 to proceed with a blockade in September.
An ultimatum was given on September 6 to rescind the May 14 decree that removed
Venezuelan commerce from Willemstad and relocated it to Puerto Cabello. The Ven-
ezuelans made only partial concessions by September 15. This was followed by the
Dutch capture of coast guard ships through December. The Venezuelans ultimately
yielded, lifting the offending May 14 decree on December 23.
Coding changes: Start Date changed from August 1908.
101 Venezuela/220 France
MID#1628
Started in May 1858. See the narrative in the 101 Venezuela/200 United Kingdom
dyad dispute list.
MID#310
Dispute Number: 310
Date(s): October 16, 1905 to December 15, 1905