SINT MAARTEN (POND ISLAND) - The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), through the Inspectorate of Economic and Transport Affairs (IETA), has published the list of Touring Car (T-Plate) and Unregulated Transport (G-Plate) operators that have successfully completed the 2026 Confirmation Letter Process.

The publication recognizes those operators who have fulfilled the Ministry's administrative requirements and whose records have been verified as part of the ongoing public transportation database clean-up initiative.

The initiative is aimed at establishing an accurate and reliable register of active public transportation operators, strengthening regulatory oversight, improving enforcement planning, and supporting evidence-based policy development.

To date, approximately 47 permits have been verified for Touring Cars, and 15 permits have been verified for Unregulated Transport for the 2026 Confirmation Letter Process and have been issued their 2026 Confirmation Letters.

The Ministry advises all Touring Car and Unregulated Transport permit holders whose names do not appear on the published list that they have two (2) weeks from the date of this press release to notify the Inspectorate of Economic and Transport Affairs (IETA) of their operational status and complete the outstanding Confirmation Letter requirements.

Touring Car and Unregulated operators who have not yet completed the process must submit the required documentation no later than September 28, 2026, by emailing the Transport Control Unit at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The following documents must be submitted:

• Tax Declaration bearing the company's CRIB number;
• Motor Vehicle Inspection Card(s);
• Vehicle Insurance Policy for each vehicle or the entire fleet;
• Touring Car or Unregulated Permit issued by the Ministry of TEATT;
• Chamber of Commerce Registration;
• Proof of payment for the 2025 Business and Director's license (where applicable);
• A Microsoft Excel spreadsheet listing all vehicles within the fleet; and
• Copies of all 2026 Road Tax receipts.

Touring Car and Unregulated Transport permit holders who are not currently operating are requested to submit, before the stated deadline, a signed letter explaining the reason for their inactive status together with a copy of their permit. This information will allow the Ministry to accurately update its records and determine the appropriate administrative status of the permit.

The Ministry reminds permit holders that, pursuant to Article 16(g) of the National Ordinance on Passenger Transport, the Minister may temporarily suspend or permanently revoke a permit where it has not been utilized for a continuous period exceeding six months.

Following the expiration of the two-week notification period, the Ministry will proceed with the final review of all outstanding permits. Operators who fail to respond or regularize their status may be referred for administrative action in accordance with the applicable legislation.

The Ministry thanks all operators who have already completed the Confirmation Letter Process and encourages the remaining permit holders to make use of this final opportunity to ensure their records are current before the database clean-up initiative is concluded.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Nation Opportunity Wealth (NOW), Member of Parliament (MP) and Vice Chair of Parliament's Justice Committee, Lyndon Lewis, has expressed serious concern over the influx of reports regarding robberies that occurred over the weekend, particularly incidents involving tourists and residents having their jewelry snatched.

According to reports received by MP Lewis, several complaints were made over the weekend involving individuals, reportedly operating on scooters, targeting people and snatching jewelry in and around the Simpson Bay area.

MP Lewis stated that this developing trend requires the utmost attention from the Government, the Ministry of Justice, law enforcement authorities, and the Prosecutor's Office before the situation escalates and results in serious injury or tragedy.

"Sint Maarten has long and proudly been known as the Friendly Island. We cannot allow criminal activity to create an atmosphere of fear among our residents or the visitors who choose our country as their vacation destination,"  MP Lewis stated.

MP Lewis also issued a stern message to those involved in these criminal activities, emphasizing that individuals who choose to commit crimes must understand that their actions have consequences.

"To those who believe that they can continue committing these crimes without consequences, think again. When apprehended, I expect the appropriate authorities to ensure that offenders are dealt with in accordance with the full extent of the law. A perceived lack of detention capacity must never become an invitation for criminal behavior," MP Lewis said.

As Vice Chair of the Justice Committee, MP Lewis is calling on the Government, particularly the Prime Minister and Minister of Justice, to treat the matter as an urgent public-safety concern and establish a coordinated plan of action aimed at suppressing this developing trend.

MP Lewis further stressed that strengthening public safety requires adequate investment in the justice chain. With preparations for the 2027 national budget, he cautioned against reducing or reallocating funding that is necessary for the Ministry of Justice to properly execute its responsibilities.

"We cannot continuously demand more from our law enforcement officers while providing them with fewer resources. If we are serious about combating crime, protecting our residents, safeguarding our tourism product, and maintaining confidence in Sint Maarten as a safe destination, then the necessary financial and operational resources must be made available," MP Lewis stated.

MP Lewis also acknowledged the continued efforts of all law enforcement personnel, who continue to carry out their responsibilities despite challenges involving staffing and available resources.

"I recognize that our men and women in blue are doing what they can with the resources available to them. I want to acknowledge each and every officer who continues to show up, patrol our communities, respond to incidents, and enforce the law. I was one of you and your work does not go unnoticed." MP Lewis stated.

MP Lewis concluded by stressing that public safety must remain a national priority and that addressing this issue requires immediate enforcement measures as well as a sustainable strategy that provides law enforcement with the manpower, equipment, resources, and legislative support necessary to effectively combat crime.

"Our residents deserve to feel safe in their communities, and our visitors deserve to enjoy Sint Maarten without fear of becoming victims of crime. Protecting both is essential not only to our quality of life, but also to the reputation and economic stability of our country. We must act before this trend becomes an even greater problem." MP Lewis concluded. 

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY – TECHNOLOGY & GOVERNANCE) - Sint Maarten's Parliament spent the 2025–2026 year under the theme "Building Digital Trust: Exploring a National AI Strategy."

It launched an AI Workgroup, joined a ParlAmericas study visit on AI in Chile, attended a Caribbean AI workshop in Anguilla, and launched a new website. The foundation is laid — but the strategy itself has yet to be published.

For a small island legislature of 15 members and a 12-person secretariat, the Parliament of Sint Maarten made an ambitious declaration for 2025–2026: it would lead a national conversation on Artificial Intelligence and digital transformation.

The theme — "Building Digital Trust: Exploring a National AI Strategy and Further Development of an Open Parliament" — anchored every major ceremony of the year, from the September 9 opening to the June 2026 Anguilla workshop.

What Parliament Actually Did

The report documents a series of concrete steps. On October 7, 2025, cybersecurity expert and business leader Gregory Richardson briefed Members of Parliament on AI strategy, national AI frameworks, and the Open Parliament concept. The session opened a year-long dialogue.

From January 21–23, 2026, secretariat staff traveled to Valparaíso, Chile, for a ParlAmericas study visit on AI and digital transformation in parliamentary operations. Participants explored AI-driven tools, cybersecurity, ethics, and institutional readiness.

The Secretary General and the Communications and Media Interactive Designer made the trip — two of the institution's twelve staff.

On May 13, 2026, the Presidium formally established the Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Workgroup — the institutional vehicle for Parliament's modernization.

The Workgroup was charged with guiding Parliament through "digitization, digitalization, and full digital transformation" and promoting "responsible, transparent, and ethical use of AI." Its first identified priority: a Document Management System.

From June 21–24, 2026, Parliament President Wescot-Williams and Member of Parliament (MP) Ardwell Irion attended the Caribbean AI Workshop for Members of Parliament in Anguilla, organized by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK. Discussions covered AI in parliamentary work, cybersecurity, misinformation, and digital transformation.

The AI Workgroup was established in May 2026 — near the end of the parliamentary year — and its work is described as ongoing.

The Document Management System remains a "priority identified" rather than an implemented system. Governor Ajamu Baly's September 2025 address to Parliament specifically mentioned a "National AI in Education Policy" — but no adoption of such a policy is recorded in the report.

Sint Maarten also recognized six individuals and institutions for their digital contributions at the parliamentary year's opening reception — Ms. Ife Badejo, Mr. Ricky Sydney, Mr. Gregory Richardson, the St. Maarten Science Fair Foundation, the FAVE School Board, and SZV — a signal that digital talent exists on the island.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY - POLITICS & GOVERNANCE) - In a three-week span in May 2026, Parliament voted out the Minister of Public Health Richinel Brug on a no-confidence motion, and simultaneously opened urgent deliberations into integrity breach allegations against the Prime Minister himself. The annual report records both — in careful, bureaucratic language.

The most politically explosive chapter of the 2025–2026 Parliamentary Year is documented in the final months of the report. Between April and June 2026, the Parliament of Sint Maarten confronted a twin crisis at the top of the country's executive branch — and the annual report, documents the process.

The Minister of VSA

Trouble at the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) surfaced formally in Parliament's records in April 2026. On April 7, 2026, Parliament convened an urgent public meeting with Minister Richinel Brug to address two concerns: the state of affairs at the St. Maarten General Hospital, and "integrity-related allegations within the Ministry."

Members of Parliament (MPs) Omar Ottley, Lyndon Lewis, and Francisco Lacroes had requested the meeting to also seek an investigation by the Integrity Chamber.

The meeting was adjourned. It was reconvened on May 12, 2026. Then, on May 29, 2026, Parliament moved to a full public vote: a motion of no confidence in the Minister of VSA was adopted. A second motion — calling for an investigation into the healthcare sector — was approved unanimously. A third motion was withdrawn before a vote.

The annual report confirms the vote took place and the motions were adopted.

The Prime Minister

Within days of the VSA minister's no-confidence vote, Parliament turned its attention one rung higher. On May 25, 2026, an urgent public meeting was convened — requested by Members of Parliament (MPs) Omar Ottley, Francisco Lacroes, and Lyndon Lewis — to address "recent allegations of integrity breaches related to the Prime Minister's involvement in matters concerning the Ministry of VSA."

The PM, Dr. Luc Mercelina, appeared before Parliament. MPs posed their first round of questions. The meeting was adjourned. It reconvened on June 10, 2026. The annual report ends its account of this matter there.