April 20, 2026 No comments
NAPB Police Union Responds to Statements by MP Lewis Regarding Police Leadership
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - The NAPB Police Union wishes to respond to recent public statements made by Member of Parliament (MP) Lyndon Lewis concerning the dual role currently held by Police Chief Carl John as both Chief of Police and Acting Secretary General within the Ministry of Justice, the NAPB Police Union said on Monday in a media statement. “NAPB-Sint Maarten emphasizes that Chief John did not appoint himself to this dual function. Any concerns, questions, or criticisms regarding this arrangement should therefore be properly directed to the competent authority responsible for such appointments, namely the Minister of Justice, Nathalie Tackling. “It is important to maintain clarity in public discourse and ensure that accountability is placed where it rightfully belongs. The...
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April 20, 2026 No comments
MP Lewis: Chief of Police appointment as Acting Secretary General should be deemed as a major conflict of Interest
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Now Opportunity Wealth (NOW), Member of Parliament (MP) and Vice Chair of the Justice Committee in Parliament, Lyndon Lewis has recently sent a letter, which contains 50 questions via the Chair of Parliament to the Minister of Justice, Nathalie Tackling, expressing serious concerns regarding the recent appointment of Chief of Police, Mr. Carl John, next to his regular task as Chief of Police to serve also as Acting Secretary General within the Ministry of Justice, as well as several unresolved matters that continue to negatively impact justice workers. MP Lewis stated that the appointment as Acting Secretary General of Justice raises serious integral concerns relating to good governance, efficiency, transparency, accountability, and the proper separation of...
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April 19, 2026 No comments
St. Maarten and Kingdom partners to strengthen investigation of maritime accidents
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Sint Maarten has taken a concrete step to strengthen maritime safety, with Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten signing a Kingdom-wide agreement to improve how shipping accidents are investigated. The agreement, signed on April 17, 2026, in Sint Maarten during the Four Countries Consultation with Aruba, Curaçao, and the Netherlands, ensures that maritime incidents will be investigated in a more structured, independent, and professional manner across the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. Minister Heyliger-Marten emphasized the importance of the move: “This agreement strengthens how we respond when something goes wrong at sea. It ensures that incidents are properly investigated so that lessons are learned, and risks are reduced.” Maritime accidents, such as collisions,...
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April 19, 2026 No comments
New Kingdom protocol strengthens how St. Maarten works with partners on maritime matters
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Sint Maarten has taken a step to strengthen how it manages maritime responsibilities, with Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten signing an updated Kingdom protocol to improve cooperation across maritime sectors. The agreement, signed on April 17, 2026, in Sint Maarten during the Four Countries Consultation with Aruba, Curaçao, and the Netherlands, establishes a more structured and consistent way for the countries to work together on maritime matters. It also supports agreements reached on specific areas such as maritime accident investigation, ensuring that cooperation is consistently applied. Minister Heyliger-Marten stated: “This ensures that we are not working in isolation. It creates a clear structure for cooperation, so that we can meet our...
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April 19, 2026 No comments
MP Wescot-Williams Seeks Clarity on Kingdom Position in UN Slavery Declaration Vote
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams has formally written to the Prime Minister requesting full disclosure and clarification regarding the (Kingdom of) the Netherlands’ recent abstention at the United Nations General Assembly on a declaration recognizing slavery and the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved Africans as the gravest crime against humanity. The resolution, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, carries profound historical and contemporary significance, particularly for Caribbean countries within the Kingdom, including Sint Maarten. In her letter, MP Wescot-Williams raises critical questions concerning whether Sint Maarten was consulted prior to the Kingdom’s vote, and if so, the nature and extent of that consultation. She further seeks clarity on whether the Government of Sint Maarten expressed a position...
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