Colonel of the Gendarmerie confirms Thursday’s Marigot incident was a vehicle theft—not a kidnapping

MARIGOT:---  A frightening incident involving a young child occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 10, in Marigot, after an individual stole a vehicle without initially realizing that the child was seated in the back.

The Colonel of the Gendarmerie clarified to SMN News that the incident was not classified as a kidnapping. It was a vehicle theft during which the perpetrator discovered, after driving several dozen meters, that the young child was still inside the vehicle.

Upon realizing that the child was in the back, the perpetrator stopped and made the child get out before continuing with the stolen vehicle.

The child was subsequently found safe.

Although the available information indicates that the perpetrator’s intention was to steal the vehicle rather than abduct the child, the incident placed the young child in a dangerous and distressing situation.

The clarification from the Colonel puts an end to initial concerns that the child had been deliberately kidnapped. The case is being treated as a vehicle theft.

MARIGOT, Saint Martin:---  The territorial majority of the Rassemblement Saint-Martinois (RSMA) has announced its support for Valérie Damaseau and her running mate,  Dr. Michel Petit, in the September 2026 Senate elections.

Damaseau is a former First Vice-President of the Collectivity, a Territorial Councilor and the current President of the Saint Martin Tourism Office. According to the RSMA majority, she has played an active role in advancing Saint Martin during the past two terms.

The group described her experience, understanding of local challenges and longstanding commitment to the territory’s development as important assets for representing Saint Martin in the French Senate.

Michel Petit, who currently serves as the fourth Vice-President of the Collectivity of Saint Martin, will stand alongside Damaseau as her running mate.

The RSMA majority said the pair would carry Saint Martin’s voice to France’s national institutions with determination and responsibility while remaining focused on defending the territory’s best interests.

The group called on members of the electoral college to support Damaseau’s candidacy, allowing her to continue representing and defending Saint Martin’s interests at the national level.

Louis Mussington, leader of the RSMA group, issued the endorsement.

PHILIPSBURG:---  Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs, the Honorable Dr. Luc Mercelina, held an introductory meeting with the President of the Joint Court of Justice, mr. Sigmar Carmelia, at the Government Administration Building on Friday.

The meeting provided an opportunity for both officials to discuss the importance of constructive institutional cooperation, the administration of justice and the shared responsibility to safeguard public confidence in 

Sint Maarten’s democratic institutions.

Prime Minister Mercelina emphasized that a strong democracy depends on institutions that are respected, adequately supported and permitted to execute their responsibilities independently.

“The rule of law is one of the foundations of our democracy. The Government and the judiciary have distinct constitutional responsibilities, but we share an obligation to protect the integrity, stability and proper 

functioning of our institutions,” Prime Minister Mercelina stated.

The officials exchanged views on the demands facing the justice system, including the importance of sufficient institutional capacity and clear communication with the public. They agreed that continued dialogue between the Government and the Court is valuable, provided both institutions' independence and responsibilities are fully respected.

“Open and respectful communication allows us to better understand the realities confronting our institutions and to identify where practical cooperation is possible. This must always take place with full respect for the independence of the judiciary,” the Prime Minister said.

The discussion also addressed the importance of responsible public communication concerning the Court, the Public Prosecutor’s Office and other institutions that uphold the rule of law. Prime Minister Mercelina noted that public officials have a particular responsibility to ensure that their statements do not unnecessarily weaken confidence in the country’s institutions.

“In a democracy, institutions may be questioned and their work may be critically examined. However, criticism must be responsible, fact-based and expressed with an understanding of the weight carried by public office. We must never allow personal or political differences to undermine confidence in the institutions established to serve and protect our people,” Prime Minister Mercelina stated.

The Prime Minister further highlighted the value of dialogue in resolving disputes before they unnecessarily escalate.

“As a society, we must strengthen our ability to communicate with one another and resolve differences constructively. Not every disagreement should have to end before a judge. Dialogue, mutual respect and accountability are also essential to a stable and mature society,” he said.

Prime Minister Mercelina and President Carmelia expressed their commitment to maintaining a constructive institutional relationship based on professionalism, mutual respect and adherence to the rule of law.

“This introductory meeting reaffirmed that respectful engagement between our institutions is both possible and necessary. We will continue the dialogue in the interest of Sint Maarten and the people whom our institutions are entrusted to serve,” Prime Minister Mercelina concluded.

MARIGOT:---  Six candidates have officially entered the race to represent Saint-Martin in the French Senate, according to the Préfecture of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin.

The senatorial election will take place on Sunday, September 27, 2026, as part of the renewal of Series 2 senators, which includes Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy.

Unlike general elections, the public will not choose the senator directly. A college of “grand electors” comprising parliamentarians and territorial councilors will decide the election.

The nomination period opened on Monday, September 7, and closed on Friday, September 11.

The following candidacies were registered for Saint-Martin, listed in the order in which they were submitted:

• Annick Pétrus, with substitute Alexandre Choisy
• Daniel Gibbs, with substitute Marie-Dominique Ramphort
• Bernadette Venthou-Dumaine, with substitute Fabien Galvani
• Valérie Damaseau, with substitute Michel Petit
• Raphaël Sanchez, with substitute Martine Beldor
• Tristan Choppin Haudry de Janvry, with substitute Emmanuelle Grimaldi

The election will be conducted under a majority voting system, with the successful candidate entrusted to represent Saint-Martin and defend the territory’s interests before France’s national institutions.

Three candidates were also officially registered for Saint-Barthélemy:

• Benoît Chauvin, with substitute Peggi Tello
• Micheline Jacques, with substitute Jérémy Laplace
• Maxime Desouches, with substitute Audrey Desouches-Kleinhans

With nominations now closed, attention turns to the September 27 vote and the choices of Saint-Martin’s limited but politically influential electoral college.