PHILIPSBURG:--- The National Alliance (NA) faction in Parliament has dispatched urgent correspondence to the Minister of VROMI, Patrice Gumbs, following the last Question Hour regarding the Marketplace project. The faction is expressing deep concern that the project has become a victim of the Ministry of TEATT and the Ministry of VROMI playing "hot potato" with accountability and good governance, resulting in unacceptable delays for displaced vendors.

While a clear plan was originally set in place for the reconstruction, the Ministry of TEATT’s decision to deviate from the approved design and Bill of Quantities creates a dangerous legal and procedural bottleneck. The National Alliance warns that these material changes threaten to cause significant future delays and could legally force a complete retendering of the project to ensure a fair process.

The faction emphasizes that if the government ignores established protocols by changing the rules after a contract is signed, they are not just breaking protocol but risking the entire project's legality. To ensure the public understands the gravity of the situation, the faction pointed to the "FIDIC Yellow Book" framework cited by the Ministry. Simply put, FIDIC is the international rulebook used for construction contracts to ensure fairness and clear standards for all parties involved.

Crucially, the National Alliance has also inquired whether the building permit has been requested and approved, along with the excavation and civil works permits required by the Ministry of VROMI. This inquiry comes in light of the fact that no new permits were issued at the time of the groundbreaking, nor during the most recent budget debate.

Deviating from these standards undermines trust and exposes the government to liability. Consequently, the National Alliance has questioned whether VROMI is formally advising on these design changes or allowing TEATT to make technical decisions without necessary oversight. They further pressed on whether the government can legally alter a project’s design and cost after awarding the contract without creating unfairness to other bidders, and if the Minister acknowledges that these deviations might legally require a full restart, pushing the completion date back even further.

The primary goal of the National Alliance is to see this project start legally and finish promptly. The market vendors have faced enough uncertainty and unnecessary delays, and they, along with the citizens and tourists of Sint Maarten, deserve a facility to be proud of.

It is time for the Ministries to stop passing the buck, strictly follow the law, and get the work done so that the Marketplace can finally be completed without being stuck in legal limbo.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Court of First Instance has sentenced a family friend to 50 months in prison for serious offences committed against an eight-year-old girl. The suspect was acting as a babysitter at the time of the incident and was found guilty of acts that severely violated the child’s personal and physical integrity.
A key element in the case was forensic evidence. DNA material belonging to the suspect was found on the victim’s clothing, which played a decisive role in corroborating the child’s statement and establishing the suspect’s involvement.

A central legal issue in the proceedings was whether the proven acts qualified as “sexual penetration” under criminal law. The Prosecutor argued that the nature and impact of the acts, as experienced by the victim, met the legal threshold for this qualification.

The Court agreed with the Prosecutor’s position. It ruled that the offence constituted sexual penetration within the meaning of the law. The Court further referred to established Supreme Court jurisprudence, which holds that certain forms of sexual conduct can be legally equated with sexual intercourse due to the seriousness of the violation of sexual integrity (HR 18 May 2010, LJN BK6910).

In addition to the prison sentence, the victim’s compensation claim was partially granted. The Court awarded US $5,000 in non-material damages and US $115 in material damages. A compensation order and statutory enforcement measures were also imposed.

Offences of this nature represent one of the most serious forms of criminal behaviour, according to the Prosecutor’s Office Sint Maarten OM SXM. Crimes committed against children, particularly by individuals in positions of trust, cause long-lasting harm and undermine the fundamental sense of safety within families and communities.

OM SXM emphasized that the justice system will continue to treat such cases with the highest priority and will pursue accountability to ensure the protection of vulnerable victims.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- The Collective Prevention Service (CPS) calls on the population to step-up mosquito prevention measures after every rainfall event.

The proactive elimination of mosquito breeding sites is a cornerstone of effective public health management, serving as the first line of defense against the spread of debilitating diseases such as Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya.

By identifying and removing sources of stagnant water—ranging from discarded containers to clogged gutters—communities can drastically reduce the population of Aedes aegypti at their source.

Ultimately, maintaining a "clean and dry" environment is not merely a household chore; it is a vital civic responsibility that safeguards the most vulnerable members of the population and ensures a healthier, more resilient community.
Mosquitoes breed in small amounts of standing water, especially in containers around homes and businesses (e.g., buckets, plant saucers, discarded items, tires, clogged gutters).
Mosquitoes are often active during the daytime, with biting frequently occurring outdoors in shaded areas and it can spread through transport and trade when eggs/larvae are moved in water-holding items.
Eliminating breeding sites is the most effective way to reduce mosquito populations. We urge everyone to take the following actions at least once per week: Tip it, toss it, cover it.
Empty and scrub containers that hold water: buckets, coolers, flowerpot saucers, pet bowls, vases, toys, tarps. Properly dispose of unused items that collect rainwater.
Cover water storage. Ensure cisterns, drums, and barrels are securely covered with tight lids or fine mesh. Clean drains and gutters. Remove leaves and debris to prevent water from pooling.
Manage tires and bulky items. Store tires under cover or disposing of them properly—tires are a high-risk breeding site. Businesses and property managers, construction sites, tire shops, marinas, and rental properties are asked to intensify weekly checks and maintain premises free of standing water.
Mosquito control cannot be achieved by government services alone. It requires sustained action by households, communities, and businesses across the entire island.
By working together, we can reduce breeding sites, lower mosquito populations, and protect residents and visitors.
To report any concerns with mosquito breeding or for any assistance, contact CPS’ vector control team by phone +1(721) 520-4161, 542-1222/1570, or 914.
Vector control can also be contacted by email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

POINTE a PITRE:--- The future of Air Antilles and its 118 employees now rests with the Commercial Court of Pointe-à-Pitre, which will deliver its verdict on February 2. The hearing on January 22 brought a significant development: the public prosecutor has officially requested that the airline be placed into judicial reorganization. This recommendation provides a crucial thread of hope for the troubled regional carrier, signaling a potential path to survival over immediate liquidation.

The court session, held behind closed doors, represents a critical juncture for an airline that has been paralyzed since early December 2025. For the employees and the wider Caribbean community, the prosecutor's support for a recovery plan is the most positive news in weeks. This article will break down the latest developments, the significance of the prosecutor’s request, and what comes next for Air Antilles.

The Prosecutor's Stance: A Lifeline for Air Antilles

At the closed-door hearing on January 22 at the Commercial Court of Pointe-à-Pitre, a pivotal development occurred: the public prosecutor explicitly requested that Air Antilles be placed into judicial reorganization. This recommendation, delivered after swift and focused exchanges among the small group of attendees, carries significant weight—even if the ultimate decision rests with the court itself. With 118 jobs at stake across Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Saint-Martin, the prosecutor’s call for reorganization sent a vital signal that the authorities see a viable path for recovery if a credible restructuring plan can be implemented.

The emotional response from employees underscored the gravity of the moment. Séverine Louisor, coordinator at the Pointe-à-Pitre station, captured the uncertainty and hardship faced by staff over the past months: “What keeps a company alive are the passengers and the money they bring. Without that, we cannot live.” The situation has bred both hope and sadness, as employees acknowledge the mounting pressure and the long shadow cast by the company's temporary license and mounting losses.

Brieuc Hardy, union delegate for the SNPL and member of the employee committee, echoed these mixed emotions. He spoke of the sadness that the airline had reached such a precarious point but also acknowledged that both the court and the prosecutor seem genuinely committed to prioritizing job preservation through reorganization rather than liquidation.

This rare alignment between the prosecutor’s recommendation and the airline’s own plea for judicial reorganization considerably strengthens Air Antilles' chances of avoiding total closure. The prosecutor’s backing not only offers hope to the workforce but also marks an official recognition of the regional and economic stakes embodied by the airline.

The hearing was called as a direct result of the carrier’s insolvency filing, a step made inevitable once the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) suspended Air Antilles’ Air Transport Certificate on December 8, 2025, due to safety issues. The grounding instantly halted flights and cut off all income, leaving the company unable to meet its obligations.

Now, the court must decide between two stark outcomes:

1. Judicial Reorganization: Supported by both the defense and the prosecutor, this would see Air Antilles protected by the court and allowed to restructure its debt and operations—provided it secures the renewal of its operating license.

2. Liquidation: Should the court find the business unsalvageable, the airline’s assets would be sold, and its 118 employees would lose their jobs, marking the end of Air Antilles.

The human toll was palpable at the courthouse. Anxiety, sadness, and fragile hope blended among the staff, who have already weathered months of uncertainty and now wait on the court’s decision, buoyed by the prosecutor’s crucial show of support.

The survival of Air Antilles is about more than just one company. The Collectivity of Saint-Martin, as the majority shareholder, has invested nearly €20 million of public funds into the airline since its takeover in late 2023. A liquidation would mean a near-total loss of this investment.

Furthermore, the airline plays a critical role in regional connectivity. Before its grounding, Air Antilles transported over 121,000 passengers in 2025 between key destinations like Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint-Martin, and Saint-Barthélemy. Its disappearance would create a significant void in the regional air transport market, likely leading to reduced flight availability and higher prices for travelers due to decreased competition.

What's Next?

All eyes are now on February 2. The court’s decision will be the first major domino to fall. Even with a favorable ruling for reorganization, the airline faces another urgent deadline: its provisional operating license is set to expire on January 31. Securing a renewal is essential for any recovery plan to succeed.

The hope for survival also hinges on securing new investment. A consortium of investors is reportedly finalizing a takeover offer to present to the court. The viability of this offer, combined with a clear strategy to address the DGAC’s safety concerns, will be central to convincing the court that Air Antilles has a future.

For the 118 employees, the prosecutor's recommendation is a reason for cautious optimism, but the wait is far from over. Their fate, and that of a vital regional airline, hangs in the balance.