The sudden closure and continued shutter of practically all of the Western Union money transfer locations in Willemstad for more than a month has heightened local consumer concerns since there has been no public announcements surrounding the reason(s) for the closures.
The sight of the shuttered money transfer outlets, primarily in Punda and the Otrabanda district, has since created logistical hardships for many who were previously reliant on having their transactions done in the city.
Unconfirmed reports have, however, indicated that the operators of the outlets in question are currently facing money laundering investigations, which stemmed from a usgovernment warning to the parent company that owns the Western Union brand.
Efforts by the Curacao Guardian to clarify this with the US State Department; and the operators of the shuttered outlets have proven futile.