February 01, 2026 No comments
Minister Brug clarifies matters related to VSA pesonnel
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) – The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (Ministry of VSA) Hon. Richinel Brug, issued the following statement on Sunday evening. “As Minister, I usually do not respond to accusations made in the media. However, the Dear Editor letter published on Thursday, January 29th makes claims that, if left unanswered, could give the public a wrong impression. For that reason, I believe it is important to clarify. “The letter suggests that I chose to defend my Chief of Staff while failing to support a young professional who reported workplace misconduct. That is simply not true and does not reflect what actually took place. “From the onset, I raised serious concerns about how this sexual harassment case was handled. The Minister of...
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February 01, 2026 No comments
Sarah Clarifies Handling of Fire & Ambulance Meeting, Condemns Political Gamesmanship
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - President of Parliament Sarah A. Wescot-Williams has expressed disappointment over how Thursday’s parliamentary meeting on the Fire and Ambulance Departments unfolded, particularly for the workers who have endured years of uncertainty and delays while political maneuvering continues around them. The meeting in question was not a sudden development. It was formally requested in November of last year and commenced a week later with initial questions posed. Delays in continuation followed for various reasons, including the unavailability of ministers. As President of Parliament, Wescot-Williams reiterated that it has long been standard practice to request that, if a minister is unable to attend a parliamentary meeting, the deputy minister be present to respond on behalf of the government. “Parliament...
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February 01, 2026 No comments
St. Maarten Carnival sees record local engagement, social media influencers trigger strong results
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) is gearing up for a festival that is not only longer, but has also seen record registration numbers across the board for various events, along with strong media and influencer/content creator interest. Carnival 2026, the 55th celebration of St. Maarten’s Carnival, will officially kick off on April 10, with the first pre-Carnival event set for March 14. Carnival 2026 runs until May 5. President of the SCDF Edwardo Radjouki said nearly all local events scheduled for Carnival have recorded increased registration numbers. These include 17 Grand Parade troupes, 23 calypso singers, 23 pageant contestants (across all pageants combined, including the Caribbean pageant), more Jouvert troupes than ever and strong...
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February 01, 2026 No comments
Joint Compliance Campaign Launched by Tax Administration, SZV and SBAB
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Sint Maarten Tax Administration, in collaboration with Social & Health Insurances (SZV) and Stichting Belastingaccountantsbureau (SBAB), has officially launched a joint compliance verification campaign aimed at strengthening business compliance and improving the accuracy of employer records on Sint Maarten. The campaign will begin in February 2026 and will include on-site inspections at registered businesses. During these visits, SBAB officers will verify whether business information registered with SZV and the Tax Administration reflects the current operational situation of each enterprise. Where discrepancies are identified, records will be reviewed and updated in cooperation with business owners, in accordance with applicable tax and social security legislation. In addition to verification activities, the initiative will provide guidance and support to...
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February 01, 2026 No comments
HNLMS Friesland new station ship arrives in the Caribbean. First Visit to Sint Maarten
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - HNLMS Friesland, an Ocean-Going Patrol Vessel (OPV) of the Holland class, will take over the role of station ship in the Caribbean from HNLMS Groningen. The patrol ship arrived in Sint Maarten on Sunday morning, February 1st, for a short stop. On Monday morning, February 2nd, HNLMS Friesland will sail into St. Anna Bay in Willemstad. The ship will patrol the region in the coming months and will also be ready to provide emergency assistance. HNLMS Groningen has conducted frequent patrols around the ABC (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) Islands in recent months. The station ship served as the Ministry of Defense’s eyes and ears at sea in the Caribbean Region, monitoring the security situation in the region. The ship also...
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