PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) has arrested three suspects in connection with a series of armed robberies targeting supermarkets, restaurants, and guesthouses in the Cul-de-Sac, Philipsburg, and Cay Hill areas over the past two weeks.

At approximately 8:00 PM on June 8th, 2026, Central Police Dispatch received multiple emergency calls reporting an armed robbery in progress at a Chinese restaurant in the Cay Hill area. Preliminary information indicates that two suspects, dressed in dark clothing, entered the establishment and, under threat of a firearm, robbed the restaurant before fleeing the scene.

Officers were further informed that the suspects matched the description of individuals who had allegedly committed an armed robbery at a restaurant on Bush Road the previous day.

Following the report, police units immediately initiated an area search. During the operation, officers received information that the suspects were traveling in a small blue or red vehicle. Shortly thereafter, officers observed and intercepted a small blue vehicle on Blyden’s Drive in the Cul-de-Sac area.

Upon conducting a control of the vehicle, officers encountered a female occupant inside. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a small quantity of narcotics, several items of black clothing, and a firearm. The female suspect, identified by the initials G.R.C.B., 21 years old was immediately arrested, and the firearm and clothing were confiscated.

During questioning, the suspect indicated that she had been in the company of two male family members who were located in a nearby apartment.

Officers proceeded to the apartment next door, where they encountered two male suspects matching the description of the individuals involved in the earlier armed robbery at the Chinese restaurant.

The suspects, identified by the initials H.A.S.-G. (19 years old) and N.Z.P.-P. (14 years old), were both arrested without incident and transported to the Philipsburg Police Station, where they are currently being held for questioning.

KPSM reminds parents, guardians, and the wider community of the importance of maintaining awareness of the activities and associations of minors under their care. Situational awareness and early intervention play a key role in preventing young persons from becoming involved in criminal activity and ensuring their safety and positive development within society.

The investigation remains ongoing, and detectives are actively determining the full involvement of the suspects in the recent series of armed robberies.

KPSM commends the swift and coordinated response of its officers, which led to the successful apprehension of the suspects and the recovery of key evidence.

Anyone with additional information related to these incidents is urged to contact KPSM at +1 (721) 542-2222, or call the tipline at 9300

PHILIPSBURG:---  The resignation of NV GEBE Transition Manager Thomas Roggendorf has once again thrust the government-owned utility into the spotlight, raising serious questions about corporate governance, shareholder oversight, and the prolonged failure to appoint a permanent Managing Board despite repeated assurances that the process would be completed.

In an internal notice dated June 9, 2026, Roggendorf informed staff that he had submitted his resignation as Transition Manager and that his final day in office would be June 12, 2026. In the letter, he thanked employees for their professionalism and stated that he would remain engaged in ensuring an orderly transition before his departure.

Reliable sources have indicated that Roggendorf also formally informed the Supervisory Board of his decision. According to those sources, the Board's response consisted of a single word: "Acknowledged."

While the response may have confirmed receipt of the notification, it has done little to calm growing concerns over the state of leadership at NV GEBE, a utility that has spent much of the past two years operating under temporary and consultancy arrangements rather than a fully constituted and permanently appointed management team.

A Temporary Appointment That Lasted More Than a Year

Roggendorf assumed leadership of NV GEBE in April 2025 following the sudden death of Temporary Manager and CEO candidate Troy Washington. Washington's passing shocked the utility and the wider St. Maarten community, leaving the company without a permanent chief executive at a critical stage in its recovery efforts.

At the time, Roggendorf was already one of the candidates being considered for the CEO position and was subsequently appointed to lead the utility on an interim basis while the appointment process continued.

More than fourteen months later, he remained in office as Transition Manager.

That extended tenure has raised questions because NV GEBE's Articles of Incorporation clearly treat temporary management as an emergency measure rather than a long-term governance solution.

What the Articles of Incorporation Say

A review of NV GEBE's Articles of Incorporation shows that Article 8 provides for the appointment of a temporary manager when all managing directors are absent or otherwise unable to perform their duties.

The Articles state that the corporation may be temporarily managed by a person appointed by the Supervisory Board. However, that same provision requires that a shareholders' meeting be convened as soon as possible to provide for definitive management. Furthermore, the temporary manager's authority is limited to acts that cannot be delayed.

While the Articles reviewed do not explicitly state a three-month maximum term for a temporary manager, governance experts note that the language clearly indicates that temporary management was never intended to become a long-term substitute for a properly appointed Managing Board.

The fact that Roggendorf remained in the position for more than a year without a permanent appointment being finalized has therefore become a significant governance issue.

Shareholder Delays Under Increasing Scrutiny

The controversy surrounding NV GEBE's leadership did not begin with Roggendorf's resignation.

Since 2025, reports have consistently pointed to delays by the shareholder in finalizing executive appointments recommended through established recruitment processes.

One of the most notable examples involves Wilco Sienen, the utility executive selected for the position of Chief Financial Officer.

In April 2025, reports confirmed that Sienen had already begun working with NV GEBE as a consultant while awaiting formal appointment as CFO. The arrangement was presented as temporary while the shareholder completed the approval process.

Yet more than a year later, the CFO appointment remained unresolved.

The situation became so prolonged that Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina publicly acknowledged in January 2026 that NV GEBE was operating with a temporary manager and a financial consultant rather than a fully appointed Managing Board.

The Prime Minister further indicated that the CFO appointment would be addressed after the installation of a new Supervisory Board, effectively confirming that the shareholder had not yet completed the appointment process.

Supervisory Board Turmoil

The appointment delays unfolded against a backdrop of escalating conflict between Government and the Supervisory Board.

Throughout 2025 and into 2026, concerns were repeatedly raised about governance, oversight, transparency, and the handling of executive appointments at NV GEBE.

Those tensions eventually culminated in Government directing the Supervisory Board to resign amid what officials described as growing concerns over the utility's governance structure and leadership decisions.

The turmoil created additional uncertainty around the appointment of permanent executives and contributed to an atmosphere in which temporary arrangements continued far longer than originally envisioned.

Questions About the CEO Appointment Process

Adding to the controversy were reports that Roggendorf himself expected to become the permanent CEO.

According to reporting published by SMN News, Roggendorf was among the candidates nominated through the recruitment process and later assumed the role of temporary manager following Washington's death.

Sources familiar with the process have indicated that there was an expectation that the CEO appointment would eventually be finalized. However, despite the passage of more than a year, no permanent appointment was ever announced.

The absence of a final decision has fueled speculation regarding disagreements among stakeholders, shareholder intervention, and ongoing governance disputes behind the scenes.

Consultant Status Raises Additional Concerns

The continued use of consultancy arrangements has also become a point of concern.

Critics argue that allowing a selected CFO candidate to function as a consultant for more than a year without formal appointment undermines good corporate governance and creates uncertainty regarding authority, accountability, and decision-making responsibilities.

Questions are now being raised about whether the shareholder's failure to complete the appointment process contributed to instability within the utility's leadership structure.

Utility Still Waiting for Stability

Roggendorf's resignation now leaves NV GEBE facing another leadership transition at a time when customers continue to expect improvements in service reliability, infrastructure modernization, and financial recovery.

His departure also revives a broader question that has lingered for more than a year:

Why has one of the country's most important public utilities been allowed to operate for so long without a fully constituted and permanently appointed Managing Board?

The Articles of Incorporation envision temporary management as a short-term solution designed to bridge a gap until definitive leadership can be installed. Instead, temporary appointments, consultancy arrangements, shareholder delays, governance disputes, and board upheaval have combined to produce a leadership vacuum that has persisted far longer than many stakeholders believed acceptable.

With Roggendorf now leaving, the spotlight will once again fall on the shareholder, the Supervisory Board, and Government to explain why permanent appointments remain outstanding and what steps will be taken to ensure that NV GEBE finally obtains the stable and permanent leadership structure envisioned by its governing documents.

For employees, customers, and the people of St. Maarten, the issue is no longer merely who will lead NV GEBE next. The larger question is whether the long-running cycle of temporary solutions and delayed decisions will finally come to an end.

COLE BAY:--- Motorworld, the authorized distributor of Chery across the Caribbean region, is proud to celebrate the successful launch of Chery in the Cayman Islands through its dealer partner, Arch Automotive. The brand made its public debut at the Out of This World Music Festival on 30 May, headlined this year by Vybz Kartel and Nelly with 20,000 in attendance, marking the second official Chery launch in the Caribbean and the beginning of an exciting regional expansion planned throughout 2026.

Founded in 1997, Chery has grown into one of the world's most recognized automotive brands, with a presence in more than 130 countries and regions. As China's No. 1 passenger vehicle exporter for more than two decades, Chery has earned a global reputation for combining innovative technology, exceptional quality, advanced safety features, and outstanding value. The brand's commitment to excellence has been recognized through multiple J.D. Power quality awards and international industry accolades.

The Cayman Islands launch introduces local drivers to a new generation of vehicles designed to challenge expectations in the automotive market. Selected Chery models are backed by an industry-leading 10-year engine warranty, providing customers with exceptional peace of mind and reflecting Chery's confidence in the quality and durability of its products.

The launch event generated significant interest from festival attendees, many of whom experienced the Chery lineup for the first time. Representatives from Arch Automotive were on-site throughout the evening, introducing visitors to the brand's features, technology, and warranty offering.

"This launch represents a major milestone for Chery in the Caribbean," said Tariq Amjad, Chairman of Motorworld Group. "The Cayman Islands is the first of several exciting Chery launches we have planned across the region this year. Chery's global success story, commitment to innovation, and outstanding value proposition make it a perfect fit for Caribbean consumers. We are confident that drivers throughout the region will quickly recognize why Chery has become one of the fastest-growing automotive brands in the world."

Taylor Foster, General Manager of Arch Automotive, added: "The response from the Cayman community exceeded our expectations. Chery is a brand that has proven itself on the global stage, and we're excited to introduce it to local customers. This launch is only the beginning, and we look forward to welcoming customers to our showroom to experience the vehicles firsthand."

Motorworld continues to expand Chery's presence throughout the Caribbean, with additional market launches planned across the region in the coming months. The Cayman Islands launch represents the first step this year in bringing one of the world's fastest-growing automotive brands closer to Caribbean consumers.

More than 200 agriculturists representing 22 countries will converge on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, from July 12–17, 2026, for the 58th Annual Caribbean Food Crops Society (CFCS) Conference at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) Albert A. Sheen Campus.
“This conference highlights the importance of regional collaboration and innovation in strengthening food security across the Caribbean,” said Dr. Usman Adamu, director of the UVI School of Agriculture and chair of the local organizing committee. “UVI is honored to welcome agricultural leaders, researchers and practitioners to the Virgin Islands to share knowledge and advance solutions for sustainable agriculture.”
This year’s conference theme, “Increasing Food Security in the Caribbean through Innovative Agriculture,” will bring together researchers, farmers, extension professionals, educators, policymakers and agricultural stakeholders to explore innovative approaches to strengthening food systems across the Caribbean region.
The Caribbean Food Crops Society is an independent, nonprofit professional organization with an interdisciplinary membership dedicated to fostering communication among individuals and institutions advancing science, technology and food crop and livestock production throughout the Caribbean Basin. Founded in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on May 3, 1963, the organization has long played a critical role in supporting agricultural development and regional collaboration.
The U.S. Virgin Islands has been involved with CFCS since its inception, with St. Croix hosting the Society’s first annual meeting in 1963. The conference later returned to the Territory in 1974 and 1984, and subsequently every 10 years thereafter.
This year’s conference will feature oral and poster presentations, exhibits, a local farmers’ forum, and agricultural farm tours designed to encourage knowledge sharing and practical engagement with regional agricultural issues.
Conference registration fees are as follows: general registration – $350 per person (USD); local farmers – $150 per person (USD); and students – $100 per person (USD). Conference details, hotel accommodations, and registration information are available at www.uvi.edu/academics/school-of-agriculture/CFCS/.
The 2026 CFCS Conference is hosted by the University of the Virgin Islands School of Agriculture in partnership with the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture, the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, and the American Phytopathological Society–Caribbean Division.
“The week-long conference represents a strategically aligned opportunity to advance agricultural research, extension and regional collaboration consistent with the land-grant mission of the University of the Virgin Islands,” said Dr. Adamu. “It strengthens scientific and extension capacity, fosters partnerships among Caribbean agricultural institutions and promotes the application of research to improve agriculture and food production in the Virgin Islands and across the region.”
For more information, contact the UVI School of Agriculture at (340) 692-4090 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Members of the media are encouraged to contact the Office of Public Relations at (340) 693-1059 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for media inquiries and interview requests.