Caribbean Sea:---  Premios Verdes has recognized Caribbean Marine Conservation through Community Conservation at the Alligator Head Foundation in Jamaica, the Caribbean Shark Coalition in the wider Caribbean, and the UNESCO IOC Ocean Decade Task Force as part of its regional platform highlighting social and environmental initiatives from Latin America and the Caribbean.

Premios Verdes is one of the leading social and environmental movements in Latin America and the Caribbean, identifying, connecting, and amplifying projects that advance sustainability, foster innovation, and deliver measurable impact across the region. Each year, the platform highlights projects that address urgent social and environmental challenges and support new models for sustainable development.

The Caribbean Marine Conservation Initiative falls under the Marine Ecosystems category, which focuses on ocean conservation and the promotion of sustainable marine development. The recognition reflects nearly two decades of work led by Tadzio Bervoets to advance marine conservation, ocean governance, community-based fisheries, shark conservation, reef restoration, sustainable livelihoods, and blue economy financing across the Caribbean.

The Caribbean’s coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and coastal fisheries are facing severe ecological decline. Coastal communities, whose livelihoods, food security, cultural identity, and resilience are directly tied to the sea, carry the greatest burden of that loss. At the same time, many drivers of marine ecosystem degradation, including unsustainable development, extractive industries, and inequitable governance, continue to exert pressure on the region’s coastal and marine resources.

Under Bervoets’ leadership, the Initiative advances a model of conservation grounded in community leadership, science, and justice. It reflects the understanding that marine conservation cannot be imposed on communities from the outside, and that effective ocean governance must ensure that the people who steward marine ecosystems are central to decision-making and benefit from conservation finance and sustainable blue economy opportunities.

The body of work recognized through Premios Verdes spans initiatives led by Bervoets across the Caribbean, including the founding and management of Marine Protected Areas, the establishment of the first shark sanctuaries in the Dutch Caribbean, the development of regional shark conservation initiatives through the Caribbean Shark Coalition, leadership of a USD 50 million regional conservation trust fund, the design of blue economy financing mechanisms across five countries, the chairing of the IOC UNESCO Ocean Decade Task Force for Latin America and the Caribbean, and the development of the first Caribbean Coral Emergency Response Plan.

In Jamaica, the Initiative is reflected through Bervoets’ current work with the Alligator Head Foundation in Port Antonio, where reef restoration, community fisheries, sustainable livelihoods, applied ocean science, and a Living Lab model are being integrated to support practical and locally rooted approaches to ocean governance.

“The future of Caribbean marine conservation depends on whether coastal communities are placed at the center of decision-making, restoration, sustainable livelihoods, and financing,” said Tadzio Bervoets. “This recognition by Premios Verdes helps bring visibility to a model of conservation that is rooted in the Caribbean, led by the realities of our communities, and focused on building a sovereign blue economy that serves the people of the region.”

The environmental impact of the Initiative includes protected reef ecosystems, legal sanctuaries for sharks and marine biodiversity, coral reef emergency response planning, and the deployment of innovative conservation finance tools across the Caribbean. Its social impact is equally central, with a focus on ensuring that coastal communities shape conservation decisions and that financial mechanisms deliver tangible benefits to the people who steward marine ecosystems.

Through this recognition, Premios Verdes amplifies a Caribbean-led approach to ocean conservation that connects ecosystem protection with community governance, sustainable livelihoods, and financial justice. The Initiative’s primary audience remains Caribbean coastal communities, alongside policymakers, funders, conservation organizations, academic institutions, and regional bodies whose decisions shape the conditions under which those communities live and work.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten:---  In a follow-up inspection in which the fieldwork was carried out during the period of June to October 2025, the Law Enforcement Council (the Council) has determined that implementation of previous recommendations by the Council for the Sint Maarten Penitentiary and the recommendations of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) remain significantly delayed. The Council carried out an inspection into the treatment of detainees, social reintegration, and isolation cells. The inspection shows that of the Council’s seven recommendations, only one has been fully implemented, one partially implemented, and five not implemented. Of the two CPT recommendations, one has been implemented — namely, the renovation of the isolation cells — while the recommendation to introduce a registry for the use of force has not yet been carried out.

Reintegration and Rehabilitation

The Council notes that, more than eight years after the previous inspection, insufficient progress has still been made. This is concerning, especially since the problems within the prison have been known for years.

The Council finds the persistent shortcomings in the area of reintegration particularly concerning. Due to a lack of staff and resources, reintegration activities, rehabilitation plans, and aftercare remain limited. Although initiatives such as educational programs and workshops are in place, there is a lack of a structural and coherent approach. According to the Council, the lack of reintegration activities and programs increases the risk of recidivism and hinders the responsible reintegration of inmates into society.

The Council views the developments surrounding the construction of a new prison as a positive step and expects these to result in tangible improvements to the identified issues.

Solitary Confinement Cells

The inspection also assessed the use of solitary confinement cells in the prison and the isolation room at the Mental Health Foundation. The Council notes that the (newly) designated cells comply with CPT standards, but observes that in practice they are regularly used for other purposes—namely, for capacity and security reasons. With regard to the Mental Health Foundation’s isolation room, the Council notes that it is used as sparingly as possible, that the facilities comply with the assessed international standards, and that the room is in good condition.

Ministry Oversight

The Council calls for the prompt implementation of the recommendations—from both the Council and the CPT—that have not yet been followed or have been only partially implemented. According to the Council, sustained administrative attention is necessary to effectively improve the safety, legal protection, and reintegration prospects of detainees on Sint Maarten.

State of Law Enforcement 2025

In its State of Law Enforcement (State), the Council provides a more general overview of developments in law enforcement and findings that go beyond the scope of individual inspections. In its most recent State, published in May 2026, the Council takes a broader perspective on the fundamental importance of respecting human rights within the prison system, as well as its commitment to using its authority to escalate issues to sound the alarm about human rights and staff conditions in the prison. The Council reiterated its overall concerns and called for continued attention to the still-prevalent, extremely vulnerable, and high-risk detention conditions. Furthermore, in its State, the Council discusses the close and fruitful cooperation between Sint Maarten, the Netherlands, and UNOPS, as well as the most significant related positive developments, particularly in 2025 and 2026.

Tur Cos Ta Posibel

One of the positive developments initiated during the inspection period and highlighted in its report is the reintegration program Tur Cos Ta Posibel. This program provides volunteer-based non-formal education activities for inmates. The Council is glad to report that this pilot program has since been officially launched and is well received. The Council, however, stresses the importance of its structural implementation.

Council Website

The full inspection report and all other Council publications are available online at: https://www.raadrh.com/.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) is currently investigating a shooting incident that occurred tonight at approximately 20:50 pm, Thursday, July 09th, which left one young male seriously injured.

Police Central Dispatch received a notification that a gunshot victim had been transported to the Sint Maarten Medical Center for emergency medical treatment. Upon arrival, officers learned that the victim had sustained at least one gunshot wound to the lower abdomen.

At this stage of the investigation, the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unclear. Detectives, together with members of the Forensic Department, are actively investigating the incident and gathering evidence to determine exactly what transpired.

The victim remains hospitalized at the Sint Maarten Medical Center, where he is receiving medical treatment. He is reported to be in serious but stable condition.

KPSM urges anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has information that could assist the investigation to come forward and contact the Police Force at +1 (721) 542-2222 or the anonymous tip line at 9300.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Caribbean Literature Day 2026 commemoration will be hosted by the Sint Maarten Library in partnership with the Conscious Lyrics Foundation and Tiny Lib’s Coffee & Soda Biscuits Association on Sunday, July 12, 2026, featuring a special Children’s Literature Authors Panel celebrating the island’s rich literary heritage and the growing community of local authors from Sint Maarten/Saint Martin.

The library will present the virtual panel, continuing the program that was first launched as part of the St. Martin Book Fair 2026. The initiative emphasizes the importance of increasing access to stories that reflect Sint Maarten’s history, culture, traditions, and identity, while providing a platform for emerging and established writers to share their work, discuss their creative journeys, and explore topics such as publishing, collaboration, and storytelling.

In observance of Caribbean Literature Day, the panel will feature authors from Sint Maarten and Saint Martin discussing the significance of locally written stories in preserving the island’s cultural heritage and ensuring that future generations have opportunities to connect with narratives that reflect their own experiences and communities.

The recorded discussion will be made available through the digital platforms of the Sint Maarten Library, the Conscious Lyrics Foundation, and Tiny Lib’s Coffee & Soda Biscuits Association, allowing audiences throughout the Caribbean and beyond to view, reflect on, and engage with this celebration of Caribbean literature.

This collaborative initiative highlights the creativity, culture, and literary identity of the people of Sint Maarten while supporting local authors, illustrators, educators, and storytellers. Taking place during the wider season of Caribbean literary celebrations, the event serves as an opportunity to recognize the island’s literary achievements and encourage greater appreciation for Sint Maarten/Saint Martin and Caribbean literature.

The partnership also reflects a shared commitment to strengthening literacy, encouraging reading, supporting lifelong learning, and preserving cultural heritage through literature. Through storytelling, the initiative continues to address the importance of safeguarding cultural identity and promoting literacy within the community.

The celebration will continue throughout the following weeks with a Caribbean Literature Campaign led by the Sint Maarten Library. Patrons and visitors are encouraged to explore, read, and borrow books by talented Sint Maarten/Saint Martin and Caribbean authors. Whether through children’s stories, poetry, history, or cultural narratives, every reader can discover a local and/or Caribbean story that resonates and becomes part of the region’s literary journey.

The public is invited to participate by sharing a photo of their favorite Sint Maarten / Saint Martin and Caribbean book or book cover on social media and tagging the Sint Maarten Library. Join the celebration and help showcase the powerful voices, stories, and creativity of Sint Maarten/Saint Martin and the wider Caribbean.

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