Curacao transitioned from a Dutch colony to an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 2010.

The post-World War II era saw a global shift away from traditional colonialism. In 1954, the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands established a new relationship, granting greater autonomy to its Caribbean territories. However, full dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles — a federation that included Curacao — occurred in 2010. On October 10, 2010, Curacao, along with Sint Maarten, became a constituent country (land) within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, granting it extensive self-governance in internal affairs while the Kingdom retains responsibility for defense, foreign policy, and nationality. This marked a significant step in its ongoing journey towards greater self-determination, reflecting a modern form of political association rather than direct colonial rule.