The vibrant History of The Caribbean Island Bonaire

Bonaire’s history is intricately tied to the larger narratives of the Caribbean, South America, and Europe. As part of the Dutch Antilles with Aruba and Curaçao, Bonaire has been a cultural crossroads for millennia. Human habitation dates back to around 1300 BCE. The Arawak Indians arrived from South America around 500 CE, marking the beginning of a long human presence on the island.

In 1499, the island’s fate took a dramatic turn when Amerigo Vespucci arrived, initiating nearly a century of Spanish rule. The Spanish transformed Bonaire into a cattle plantation, strategically establishing the original settlement at Rincon to protect it from pirate attacks.

The 16th and 17th centuries saw fierce battles between Spanish and Dutch

forces over the ABC islands. By 1636, Bonaire had fallen under Dutch control. The Dutch West India Company established plantations and developed the salt industry, which remains significant today. The southern landscape of Bonaire is still dotted with massive salt piles, a legacy of this era. Slaves once toiled in these salt pans, living in small, harsh huts that stand as stark reminders of their suffering.

The early 19th century brought further change when the British briefly controlled the ABC Islands. They established Playa, now Kralendijk, which remains Bonaire’s bustling capital.

The abolition of slavery in 1862 was a significant milestone for Bonaire. The Terramar Museum poignantly depicts the harsh conditions endured by slaves, many of whom went blind from the relentless glare of the salt pans.

World War II introduced new challenges. With the Netherlands occupied by Nazi forces, Bonaire became a protectorate of Britain and the US. The American army constructed Flamingo Airport, which still serves the island today. Bonairean sailors played a crucial role in defending oil facilities from German U-boats. Meanwhile, a detention camp for Germans and Austrians was established on the site now occupied by the Divi Flamingo Beach Resort.

From 1954 until 2010, Bonaire was part of the Netherlands Antilles, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. When this group dissolved in 2010, Bonaire became a special municipality within the Dutch government. It follows Dutch laws, and its citizens can vote in Dutch parliamentary elections, but EU laws do not apply here, and the island uses the US dollar for practical reasons.

An important chapter in Bonaire’s story curently happening volves the local movement for greater autonomy. Nos Ke Boneiru Bèk (“We Want Bonaire Back”) has been advocating for a change in the island’s relationship with the Netherlands. A 2015 referendum showed that 65% of the population was dissatisfied with the current arrangement. The push for more autonomy continues, though the future remains uncertain.