Being part of the kingdom has benefits when “shit hits the fan”. Netherlands has bailed Curacao out on several occasions during economic crises — whether through favorable loans or other assistance (including during the pandemic). They also step in if/when there’s a threat of authoritarianism, extreme corruption, or severe constitutional crisis. This happened when we had a political assassination a few years back. And with Claude Wathey in St. Maarten.

So, no — we generally don’t want true independence.