May 27, 2026 No comments
Coalition Chooses Survival Over Accountability
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The final vote — six in favor and seven against the dismissal of Minister of VROMI Patrice Gumbs of the PFP party — sent a clear and troubling message to the people of St. Maarten: for this coalition of DP, URSM, and PFP, political survival appears to matter more than public suffering, Member of Parliament (MP) Omar Ottley said in a statement on Wednesday. “For nearly two years, the people of this country have voiced growing frustration over worsening conditions: overflowing sewage, uncollected garbage, permit stagnation, deteriorating infrastructure, and a general sense that basic governance has stalled. Yet despite these repeated complaints from citizens and businesses alike, the coalition demonstrated through its actions that these concerns...
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May 27, 2026 No comments
Five-year ban, community service for former immigration officer in human-smuggling-related case
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) – The Court of First Instance has convicted former immigration officer W.C.C. for violating official secrecy in connection with a human smuggling investigation. The defendant was not tried or convicted for human smuggling offenses themselves. The Court, in its sitting of imposed a sentence of 180 hours of community service, with a conditional prison sentence of three months suspended on a probation period of three years. In addition, the Court ordered a five-year ban preventing the defendant from working as a civil servant. The case stems from an investigation launched in 2024 into suspected human smuggling activities. On May 29, 2024, the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM), in cooperation with the Prosecutor’s Office Sint Maarten (OM SXM),...
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May 27, 2026 No comments
CBCS publishes policy note National Adaptation Plans to help translate climate change awareness into concrete actions
SINT MAARTEN/CURACAO - As climate change risks become increasingly evident, the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) highlights the importance of translating awareness into concrete and coordinated action in Curaçao and Sint Maarten. In a newly published policy note, the CBCS outlines how both countries can strengthen their climate adaptation efforts through National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), highlighting best practices for their design and implementation. The development of a National Adaptation Plan will help both countries better prepare for the impacts of climate change. The policy note discusses four key pillars of effective adaptation planning: framing, evaluation, governance and implementation, and broader development considerations. The findings highlight several practical priorities for Curaçao and Sint Maarten, including the need to establish clear roles...
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May 27, 2026 No comments
KPSM CONTINUES INVESTIGATION INTO BREAK-IN AND ENTERING CASES IN BELVEDERE, NAZARETH, AND DUTCH QUARTER AREA
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is currently conducting an ongoing investigation into a series of breaking and entering incidents reported over the past several weeks in the Belvedere, Nazareth, and Dutch Quarter areas. KPSM has received several complaints from residents concerning homes and vehicles that were broken into. During these incidents, various tools and other valuable items were stolen from vehicles and properties. Based on information gathered during the investigation, police officers received intelligence indicating that some of the stolen items were being stored at a residence in the Dutch Quarter area. Officers immediately proceeded to the location on Thursday, May 27th, 2026, where they confiscated several bags containing tools believed to be linked to...
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May 27, 2026 No comments
CPS: Reducing Salt Consumption for a Healthy Life
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY, (DCOMM) – The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), is calling on the community to become more aware of the health risks associated with excessive salt consumption and the importance of reducing sodium intake as part of maintaining a healthier lifestyle. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adults should consume no more than 2,000 milligrams of sodium per day, which is approximately equivalent to one teaspoon of salt, while children should consume even less. Excessive sodium intake is considered one of the leading risk factors for hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, which remain among the primary causes of death throughout the Americas. WHO notes that sodium consumption across...
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