The Dutch government said on Monday it will take over the running of one of its Caribbean island municipalities, denouncing “physical neglect” and “lawlessness” on Saint Eustatius.

The island’s ruling council will be immediately dissolved with Dutch Interior Minister Raymond Knops travelling there this week to explain the decision to residents.

“The current administrative situation is one of lawlessness and financial mismanagement,” the interior ministry said.

“Discrimination, intimidation, threats and insults and personal enrichment flourish at the expense of the people of Saint Eustatius,” a statement issued in The Hague said.

New polls to elect an island council will be held once Saint Eustatius is able to properly run itself.

Administration of the tiny island municipality with just over 3,000 residents, situated in the Leeward Islands chain east of Puerto Rico “has been a source of concern for a while,” the statement said.

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