The 'Schutters'

The Curaçao Schutterij was a colonial militia reactivated during World War II to help defend the Dutch Caribbean. In December 1940, Governor Wouters exercised his constitutional authority by instituting mandatory military serviceand formally establishing the Schutterij to protect Curaçao, Aruba, and Bonaire.

Young men from across the islands were conscripted and received weapons training and tactical instruction from Dutch military officers. At its peak, the Schutterij numbered around 3,000 men, playing a vital role in guarding strategic sites and supporting regular military forces.

Although the Schutterij initially had limited capabilities, its wartime expansion gave it renewed relevance. Over time, however, modern volunteer forces like the VKC took on a more prominent role in local defense.