THE NETHERLANDS (THE HAGUE) – Recently Minister Plenipotentiary, Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell received Herbert Martina, Founder and Director of the Carib-Lens Creations Foundation, at the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary in The Hague.

During the meeting, Martina presented the Foundation's work in documenting, researching, and preserving St. Maarten's history and identity through documentary filmmaking, publications, education, and community engagement. He also shared the Foundation's long-term vision for the proposed Soualiga House Knowledge Center, an initiative envisioned as a central repository for St. Maarten's historical records, genealogy, oral histories, academic research, and other cultural resources. The proposed center aims to preserve locally produced knowledge and make it more accessible to researchers, students, educators, and future generations.

Martina provided Minister Arrindell with an update on the Foundation's documentary project, The Great "Ole" Salt Pond, describing it as part of a broader effort to document St. Maarten's heritage while creating educational resources and preserving oral histories. He also shared his aspiration to premiere the documentary in both St. Maarten and The Hague to engage local and international audiences.

A significant part of the meeting also focused on the preservation of academic research produced by St. Maarten students studying abroad. Martina noted that many theses and research papers containing valuable knowledge about the island become difficult to access after completion of academic programmes. He shared the Foundation's vision for the proposed Soualiga House Knowledge Center to serve as a permanent repository where scholarly work by St. Maarten students can be preserved, catalogued, and made available to support future research, policymaking, and education.

Minister Arrindell welcomed the opportunity to learn more about the Foundation's initiatives and exchanged views on the importance of safeguarding St. Maarten's cultural heritage and strengthening knowledge-sharing. She encouraged the Foundation to continue engaging with a broad range of universities, cultural organizations, and relevant stakeholders throughout the Netherlands and Europe to expand opportunities for collaboration.

The Minister also shared information on potential avenues for cultural and academic funding and recommended exploring connections with additional institutions and individuals active in heritage and research.

The meeting forms part of the Cabinet's ongoing engagement with members of the St. Maarten community and organizations committed to promoting the country's history, culture, education, and identity, while fostering stronger connections between St. Maarten and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Ministry of Justice wishes to update the public of a temporary delay affecting the processing of certain permit applications while efforts are underway to resolve the matter.

“As part of our ongoing effort to modernize and improve our services, Immigration and Border Protection Service (IBPS) recently transitioned to a new online application portal. During this transition, the migration of existing records required additional time to complete securely and accurately. As a result, some applications submitted prior to the switch have experienced longer-than-usual processing times.

“We want to assure applicants and the public that this is a temporary situation. Efforts are underway to restore normal processing as quickly as possible, and new applications submitted through the online portal continue to be received and processed as usual.

“We recognize the impact these delays may have on applicants and their families, and we take that responsibility seriously. We are actively evaluating additional measures to address any backlog and to expedite affected applications as quickly as possible.

“We appreciate the public's patience and understanding as we complete this transition, and we remain fully committed to delivering timely, reliable service.

“The Ministry of Justice and the Immigration and Border Protection Service (IBPS) will continue to keep the public informed and provide additional updates as more information becomes available,” the statement concludes from the Ministry of Justice.

SINT MAARTEN/CURACAO - On Monday, July 13, 2026, Defense’s Rotation 51 company handed over its duties to Rotation 52 during a military ceremony on Curaçao. Captain Luc assumed command from Captain Marnix during the traditional paddle handover ceremony. The unit will train and operate in the Caribbean region over the next six months. 

Looking back on an intensive period

After nearly five months in the Caribbean, Captain Marnix looks back with pride on the development of the Bravo/Stier Company. During this period, the unit conducted extensive training on Curaçao, Bonaire, and Aruba, as well as in the United States. The soldiers worked on their physical and mental development, leadership, and military skills.

Through various exercises, the company made strides in its performance as a combat unit. The platoons executed multiple missions, supported by assets such as snipers, mortar squad, and unmanned systems. These training activities contributed to the soldiers' continued development and the unit's operational readiness.

The company also collaborated with Caribbean military personnel (CARMIL) and other units under the Commander of Naval Forces in the Caribbean (CZMCARIB). Despite differences in background and working methods, they trained together and worked towards ensuring security and stability in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. 

New company begins deployment in the Caribbean

The Delta/Ratel Company of the 44th Armored Infantry Battalion (Prins Johan Willem Friso Infantry Regiment) is participating in a Caribbean rotation for the first time. Captain Luc looks forward to the upcoming period and the opportunities for his unit to train in a different climate and terrain.

The company is part of the 43rd Mechanized Brigade based in Havelte. The unit normally operates using the Fennek wheeled vehicle. During its deployment in the Caribbean, however, the emphasis is primarily on operations on foot.

The company is reinforced with medical capabilities from the 43rd Medical Company and specialist capabilities from the 11th Armoured Engineer Battalion.

In addition to carrying out missions for CZMCARIB, the unit works on its own training program. The goal is to further enhance operational readiness and prepare for future deployments.

The Royal Netherlands Army maintains a permanent company presence in the Caribbean. Starting with rotation 2026-2, a deployment will last six months. This reduces the logistical burden and allows the unit more time to collaborate with local partners and gain a better understanding of the local environment.

The company can be deployed for various tasks under the command of CZMCARIB and will be training on Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao over the coming months.

SINT EUSTATIUS (ORANJESTAD) - The Alliance will officially launch its first book publication, St. Eustatius: Restoring Our Ties – The Voices of Statians Making A Difference, during a public event on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 7:00 PM at the GJB Public Library in Oranjestad, St. Eustatius. 

Developed through research, interviews and community engagement by cultural anthropologist Dr. Artwell Cain, the book documents reflections from members of the Afrikan diaspora community in St. Eustatius and contributes to ongoing conversations about remembrance, recognition, and historical justice. 

At the center of the publication is a call for acknowledgment and action regarding the 69 excavated Afrikan Ancestors who are still awaiting reburial since 2021, the recognition and preservation of Afrikan burial grounds, and the importance of ensuring that community voices remain central in shaping how history is remembered and represented. 

Dr. Artwell Cain

“Restoring Our Ties is about creating space for the voices of Statians to be heard and documented on their own terms,” said Dr. Artwell Cain, author of the publication. “This project reflects community perspectives and contributes to broader conversations about memory, heritage, and cultural continuity.” 

Dr. Artwell Cain, cultural anthropologist, was born in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and after many years in the Netherlands, he currently lives in Aruba for his extensive scientific work and contribution. Dr. Cain is the director and researcher at the Institute of Cultural Heritage and Knowledge. He previously served as the director of NiNsee (the National Institute of Dutch Slavery Past and Legacy) from 2009 to 2012 and is also the author of numerous books, including “A Sense of Belonging,” as well as various academic articles and essays. 

Program of the book launch

The launch event will feature an interactive program with Dr. Artwell Cain, author of the book, and Mr. Marvin Hokstam Baapoure, publisher, educator, journalist, founder and Chief Editor of AFRO Magazine, and Executive Director of the Broos Institute, Europe’s pioneering Afrocentric academic institution.

Several interview participants whose experiences helped shape the publication will also join the evening’s discussion. Mr Hokstam Baapoure, former journalist of The Daily Herald in St. Maarten, worked in previous projects with the Alliance and published the AFRO Magazine "Remember Statia" edition.  

The event will be hosted by Mr. Kenneth Cuvalay, President of the Alliance, together with Mr. Derrick Simmons, Alliance member and anthropologist. 

The public and media representatives are invited to attend. Entrance is free. At the event, the book will be available for purchase at a discounted rate (limited to one book per individual). 

Acknowledgments

This book publication is the outcome of the project under the same name carried out by the St. Eustatius Afrikan Burial Ground Alliance, made possible with funding of the Slavery Memorial Committee and the Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied (CCG) / DNB Call. 

Dr. Artwell Cain will also speak at the Emancipation Day commemoration in St. Eustatius, together with Guyanese-born Prof. in Africology Kimani Nehusi, Mr. Marvin Hokstam Baapoure, and other guests. The Alliance is organizing this event for the first time, in collaboration with the Statia Roots Festival and other local NGOs.