Curacao loses finance control

The opposition in Curacao has protested a measure that would give the Netherlands control over island finances after more than 50 years of autonomy.



Legislators reportedly backed a measure giving Dutch officials final say over Curacao\'s annual budget to help slash its US$2.5 billion debt.



According to BBC Caribbean reports, the Netherlands promised to pay 80 percent of those obligations, although a Dutch council must still give its approval.



The Secretary General of the country’s opposition party, Humphrey Senior, said the action was equal to recolonisation.



He said the island\'s parliament had been effectively silenced over Curacao\'s finances.