PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Carnival J’ouvert Morning Jump-Up will take place on Monday, April 27, 2026, starting at 04:00 AM.
The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) wishes to remind all participants that this is a time for celebration and enjoyment. However, any form of fighting or criminal activity that endangers the safety of fellow revelers will be dealt with immediately and firmly.
The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) remains committed to ensuring that the festivities continue in a safe and orderly manner. Officers from Sint Maarten, along with additional officers assisting KPSM, will be out in full force to monitor the event and respond swiftly to any incidents.
In preparation for this very busy period, the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) will also be receiving additional support from partner police forces within the Dutch Caribbean, including Aruba Police Force, Curaçao Police Force, and the Caribbean Netherlands Police Force. This collaboration is aimed at further strengthening general safety and security during the upcoming days of festivities.
Individuals who engage in criminal behavior will face the appropriate legal consequences.
Scooter riders are also strongly advised to act responsibly. Any attempt to intercept, disrupt, or interfere with the free flow of the Jump-Up or associated parades and traffic will result in immediate action by law enforcement.
The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) encourages everyone to celebrate responsibly and contribute to a safe and enjoyable J’ouvert Morning experience for all.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Justice, Nathalie M. Tackling, together with Member of Parliament Ms.Sjamira Roseburg, officially accepted a donation of boxing equipment for inmates at the Point Blanche Prison. The donation, consisting of punching bags and boxing gloves, was personally delivered by Gramey Browne, in collaboration with AMA Jewelers and Pineapple Pete.

The initiative was made possible through the efforts of MP Roseburg, who connected Mr. Browne with the Ministry’s leadership. During his visit as an author and motivational speaker, Browne held open discussions with inmates, where many expressed interest in constructive outlets that support discipline, focus, and personal development. In response, Browne mobilized support to provide the equipment and has further committed to personally training inmates in boxing.

Minister Tackling welcomed the contribution, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in strengthening rehabilitation efforts within the justice system.

“Rehabilitation continues to be a critical pillar of our justice system. By the time individuals enter our care, our responsibility is not only to ensure security, but to create and welcome opportunities for change. Initiatives like this provide inmates with structure, discipline, and a positive outlet, which are all essential to reducing reoffending and supporting successful reintegration,” said Minister Tackling.

MP Roseburg, a long-standing advocate for inmate rehabilitation, highlighted the importance of continued investment in programs that support transformation.

“Rehabilitation is not optional, it is a must. If we are serious about safer communities, we must be equally serious about giving individuals the tools to change their lives while they are still within the system,” said MP Roseburg.

Mr. Browne, a retired entrepreneur, author, and mentor, has dedicated much of his life to guiding individuals toward personal and professional growth, with a strong focus on discipline, leadership, and legacy-building . His engagement with inmates forms part of his broader mission to give back to the community and support those seeking a second chance.

The Ministry of Justice remains committed to fostering meaningful collaborations that contribute to a more rehabilitative and forward-looking justice system in Sint Maarten, as it continues to build a stronger, more effective system through the Detention Sector Reform Program (DSRP).

St. Eustatius is facing a water crisis that many residents say has been quietly building for far too long as island wide water rationing has been ongoing for more than a week in a bid to restore water levels at the utility company STUCO’s main water tank.
For the past ten days, the Statia Utility Company N.V. (STUCO) has been rationing water across the island, leaving households and businesses to cope with repeated interruptions to one of life’s most basic necessities. What may have first appeared to be a temporary maintenance problem at the water plant and an isolated leak beneath a public road is now being viewed by many as a sign of something far more serious. Many residents believe that the real challenge stems from an aging and failing water distribution system under growing strain.
For nearly two months, STUCO has been digging up roads in an attempt to locate and repair old and damaged pipes. The effort traces back to Monday, February 16, when the company announced that it would carry out urgent leak repairs that would cause temporary service interruptions. That first leak was reportedly located on Faeschweg. Just days later, on February 19, another leak was detected on Mansion Road. Since then, the situation appears to have worsened rather than improved as now the island wide water rationing is entering its third week with no change in sight. Reports circulating on the island suggest that several damaged pipes may have been leaking underground for quite some time, gradually draining Statia’s already limited water supply. Residents, however, say the problem goes back much further. Some claim that leaks in Cherry Tree and recurring water interruptions have been a regular feature of daily life for more than a year.
That frustration is now intensifying as the impact spreads island-wide. Unconfirmed reports also indicate that one of STUCO’s water production plants was recently taken out of service for repairs, reducing the company’s ability to keep production in line with demand. With less water being produced and more being lost through leaks, the island’s water system is now under visible pressure.
By April 8, the crisis had become impossible to ignore. In an “Urgent Water Outage” update posted on Facebook, STUCO advised the public that a temporary outage was necessary due to leak repairs in Cherry Tree. At the time, the company said it could not provide an estimated time for the restoration of service because repairs in the town area were still ongoing.
Two days later, on April 10, another urgent notice followed. This time, STUCO announced that water rationing would be implemented because ongoing leaks were depleting water tanks and required immediate repair. The company stated that water service in affected areas would be shut off beginning at 8:00 p.m. and was expected to resume at approximately 5:00 a.m. on April 11. It also warned that rationing could continue for several more days while repairs were underway.
For many on the island, those posts confirmed speculations and fear that this is no longer a routine repair issue but rather a major supply crisis. The repeated leaks, emergency repairs, and inability to maintain steady supply are now raising concerns about the condition of the island’s entire water pipe network. Beneath the immediate inconvenience lies a more troubling question on the minds of residents who already had to deal with increased water rates, “how deep does the problem really go, and what will it cost consumers if the entire water distribution network has to be repaired?”
If the current disruptions are being driven by widespread deterioration in underground infrastructure, residents may be looking at a much bigger and more expensive problem than anyone has openly acknowledged.
Replacing a large portion of Statia’s water distribution system would likely require extensive roadworks, prolonged service interruptions, and major financial investment. On a small island where the cost of living is already a burden for many families, there is growing unease over whether those costs could eventually be passed on to consumers.
That is why this moment matters.
Water rationing is not just an inconvenience. It is a warning sign. It affects homes, businesses, public health, hygiene, and daily life. It places pressure on vulnerable residents, disrupts routines, and creates uncertainty that no community should be forced to accept as normal.
What is unfolding in Statia is no longer a problem that can be dismissed as isolated leaks or temporary shutdowns. Residents are watching roads being dug up, tanks being depleted, and service being rationed, all while asking the same urgent question: how much worse is this going to get before a full and lasting solution is put on the table?
For now, the island waits — with water shut off at night, repairs ongoing, and concern rising by the day.

PHILIPSBURG:---  Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten has outlined Government’s role in fuel pricing and the measures currently under review, including fuel excise.
The Minister’s remarks were made in response to questions during the Council of Ministers Press Briefing held on Wednesday.
Fuel prices in Sint Maarten are primarily driven by international market developments. As global oil prices fluctuate, these changes are reflected locally through the established pricing mechanism. Government does not set fuel prices arbitrarily but regulates them through a maximum price mechanism based on international market developments.
Fuel prices are driven primarily by international market developments, while local consumption patterns can influence how strongly those increases are felt in Sint Maarten.
A key component of that structure is the excise tax on fuel. The Minister confirmed that Government is actively reviewing the current excise framework. However, such measures require careful consideration, as excise revenues form part of the national budget and support public expenditure across multiple sectors.
The Minister added that similar adjustments to the excise structure were implemented in 2022. While these provided short-term relief, they also created ongoing budgetary implications that continue to affect Government’s financial position today.
She further explained that any changes at this stage are dependent on the status and finalization of the 2026 budget and require alignment with the Ministry of Finance, which determines the broader fiscal impact of such measures.
“Any adjustment to excise must be weighed against its broader financial impact. These are not isolated decisions and require coordination with the Ministry of Finance, particularly in the context of the 2026 budget,” the Minister said.
Beyond fiscal measures, Government continues to assess the downstream impact of fuel price increases on goods and services. TEATT maintains regular communication with shipping companies to track cost developments and uses this information to guide market oversight.
Through its inspection services, the Ministry reviews the pricing of essential goods to ensure that increases at the retail level remain proportionate to actual cost changes. Where irregularities are identified, engagement takes place with businesses to address them.
At present, no significant or disproportionate increases in the basket of basic goods have been recorded. However, Government notes that the situation remains dynamic and subject to ongoing global developments.
The Minister also acknowledged the broader economic effects of rising fuel costs, including potential impacts on transportation, utilities, and tourism. While external factors such as aviation fuel prices may influence airfares, current tourism indicators remain stable, with hotel occupancy and forward bookings performing in line with expectations.
Government will continue to keep international developments under close review and assess targeted measures where necessary to mitigate local impact.
Recognizing that fuel pricing is a complex issue and one that deserves clearer public explanation, the Minister has asked the Ministry to prepare a comprehensive breakdown of the fuel pricing mechanism in Sint. Maarten. The goal is to give residents a clearer understanding of the main factors that influence the final price at the pump and to make that information more accessible to the public. The Ministry expects to share that overview in the coming weeks as part of Government’s ongoing commitment to transparency and public understanding.