On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I wish the people of Curacao a joyous Curaçao Day. 

This has been an important year for the U.S.-Curacao partnership.  Curaçao participated in the Caribbean Energy Security Summit in Washington, D.C., working with U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden and other Caribbean leaders to find comprehensive solutions to the region’s energy challenges – a dialogue that continued during U.S. President Barak Obama’s visit to the Caribbean in April.  Curaçao also participated with the United States and Caribbean nations in comprehensive discussions on ways to create a more secure region, providing opportunities for at-risk youth and diminishing the trafficking of weapons and narcotics, and our Consulate General in Curaçao worked with your government and educational institutions to increase the flow of students between our two countries as part of the 100,000 Strong in the Americas initiative.

I hope you all enjoy your national holiday, and as you proudly play the Himno di Kòrsou and music by Friar Candidus Nouwens, know that the United States celebrates alongside you.