April 24, 2026 No comments
Appointment of President of the Joint Court of Justice
SINT MAARTEN/CURACAO - S.A. (Sigmar) Carmelia has been appointed President of the Joint Court of Justice. The appointment takes effect on the day on which the Royal Decree is signed. The Kingdom Council of Ministers has approved the nomination for this appointment, on the proposal of the State Secretary for Justice and Security, Van Bruggen. The new president, mr. Carmelia, has been a (substitute) member of the Common Court since 2014. Before that, as part of his training, he was a deputy judge and subdistrict court judge at the District Court of Gelderland, lawyer and legal advisor at the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights. He succeeds mr. Mauritsz de Kort, who was president of the Common Court until November 4, 2025. De Kort has...
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April 24, 2026 No comments
Minister VSA Richinel Brug Community Help Desk Yields Positive Impact. Temporary Pause Announced for April
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Honorable Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), Mr. Richinel Brug, is pleased to report on the successful outcomes of the “Minister in Your Neighbourhood” that was at the Community Help Desk held in Hope Estate from January through March 2026. During this period, the Help Desk served as a vital bridge between government and community, assisting more than 60 residents from Hope Estate, Suckergarden, and Philipsburg. The initiative focused on direct engagement, ensuring that residents received timely support and guidance on a wide range of concerns. Key areas of assistance included: • Registration support for the NV GEBE relief program, particularly for seniors • Clarification of financial assistance procedures • Guidance on SZV-related matters...
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April 24, 2026 No comments
Central Bank CBCS President Richard Doornbosch to Step Down Effective 1 September 2026
SINT MAARTEN/CURACAO - The Board of Supervisory Directors of the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) announces that Richard Doornbosch has decided to step down as President of the CBCS effective 1 September 2026, to assume a new position outside the organization and outside Curaçao and Sint Maarten. The procedure to identify a suitable successor has been initiated immediately. At the same time, the recruitment process for the position of Financial and Economic Director is at an advanced stage and will be aligned with the first-mentioned procedure. Further communication regarding both appointments will follow at an appropriate time. The Supervisory Board expresses its appreciation for the commitment and valuable changes that Doornbosch has brought to the organization. The Supervisory Board notes that...
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April 24, 2026 No comments
Ministry of Justice Extended Condolences on the Passing of KPSM Brigadier Keri Hyman
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) – “It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that the Ministry of Justice announces the passing of our KPSM colleague, Brigadier Keri Hyman, on the evening of April 23rd, 2026,” the statement from the cabinet of the Minister of Justice stated. “We did not only lose a dedicated officer, we lost a woman who embodied service in its truest form. Brigadier Hyman served the people of Sint Maarten with unwavering commitment, strength, professionalism, and integrity. She stood on the frontlines of our justice system with resilience and a deep sense of duty, earning the respect of her colleagues and the trust of the community she protected. “Her passing leaves a void that is felt across the...
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April 23, 2026 No comments
KPSM Enters Second Phase of Gun Amnesty Program Amid Heightened Carnival Security Measures
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) informs the general public that the first phase of the Inter-Insular Gun Amnesty Program has officially concluded. During this initial phase, individuals were given the opportunity to voluntarily surrender illegal firearms safely and anonymously. KPSM is now in the second phase, under the clear message: “We Coming For It.” This phase represents a firm transition from voluntary compliance to enhanced enforcement. Officers will intensify preventative searches, targeted controls, and operational actions, including visits to homes and businesses where intelligence indicates the possible presence of illegal firearms. As the island prepares for the heightened activities surrounding the Carnival period, KPSM will also significantly increase its operational presence across key areas. Enhanced patrols...
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