PHILIPSBURG:---  The Windward Islands Civil Servants' Union & Private Sector Union (WICSU-PSU) has issued a formal letter to the Parliament of Sint Maarten, confirming the continuation of its "go-slow" action as the labor dispute with governmental bodies remains unresolved. The communication, dated February 2, 2026, outlines the union's position, the circumstances leading to the ongoing industrial action, and explicitly calls on Parliament to intervene and ensure the resolution of key issues.
The letter addresses Members of Parliament directly, emphasizing the significance of legislative oversight in protecting workers’ rights and maintaining a fair and productive labor environment. WICSU-PSU highlights its repeated attempts to engage both the government and other relevant authorities in dialogue, expressing disappointment over what the union perceives as insufficient action from official channels. The union urges Parliament to exercise its authority and hold the government accountable for honoring prior commitments and expediting negotiations.
Central to the dispute are unresolved labor negotiations involving demands for improved working conditions, equitable compensation adjustments, and remediation of long-standing grievances. The union notes in the letter that the “go-slow” action—a form of protest where employees deliberately reduce their work pace—will persist until meaningful progress is made. Public sector operations across a range of services are affected, leading to slower administrative processing and delays that directly impact the community.
Leadership within WICSU-PSU details its frustration regarding what it describes as protracted delays and a lack of good faith bargaining from the government side. The letter also references previous written agreements and pledges from authorities, noting that key issues remain unaddressed, prompting the union to escalate its call for intervention by formally notifying Parliament.
Serving as an official notice to both union members and parliamentary authorities, the document reaffirms the union's unity and its unwavering stance on the importance of negotiation. It insists that resuming productive and earnest dialogue is fundamental to resolving the current impasse, and calls on Parliament to facilitate and monitor the process more closely. The union also reminds Parliament of its legal and moral responsibility to safeguard both the rights of workers and the ongoing provision of essential public services.
The broader impact of the ongoing “go-slow” is already being felt across government departments and the wider community, with delays in administrative processes and service delivery continuing as the industrial action persists.
WICSU-PSU concludes the letter by expressing hope for a swift and amicable resolution, reiterating that the union remains open to genuine negotiations. Until the union’s demands are met and the dispute is resolved, however, the go-slow action will go on. As of the time of writing, there has been no official statement from the government or Parliament in response to the union's latest communication. The issue continues to be a source of concern for public service employees, Parliament, and the people of Sint Maarten.

Click here to read the letter sent to the Parliament of Sint Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Aartwich Bell, a prison official, was arrested today by the Landsrecherche following serious allegations regarding sexual relations with a minor. The arrest marks a significant development in an investigation involving a public servant.
The Landsrecherche, the national detective agency responsible for investigating government officials, executed the arrest. Despite the high-profile nature of the suspect’s employment, officials have remained tight-lipped regarding the specific details of the case. When reached for a statement, the Prosecutor’s Office refused to provide any comment. They have neither confirmed nor denied that a civil servant was taken into custody today.
Bell is a well-known figure in the community, known not only for his role in the prison system but also as an active athlete and gym trainer. His involvement in local athletics has made him a familiar face to many.
Reports indicate that the alleged victim was well-known to Bell. Sources suggest a significant breach of trust is central to the allegations, noting that Bell occupied a position where he should have acted as a trusted adult, responsible for the guidance and protection of the minor, rather than the alleged exploitation.
The investigation is ongoing. Further details regarding charges or court appearances are expected to be released as the inquiry proceeds.

The Prosecutors' Office has since made the following statement:

Former Prison Head arrested by National Detectives

 A former head of the Pointe Blanche Prison, initials A.B., was arrested on Monday, February 2, 2026, in connection with an ongoing investigation into a sexual offence involving a minor.
The arrest was carried out by the National Detectives under the guidance of the Prosecutor’s Office of Sint Maarten.
The suspect is currently in custody and is being questioned by law enforcement.
Due to the sensitive nature of the case and in consideration of the interests of the victim, no further details can be provided at this stage. The investigation is
ongoing.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) continues to invest in the training and professional development of its personnel as part of its ongoing commitment to quality policing and community engagement.
Over the past weeks, several KPSM officers successfully completed specialized training and educational upgrading at Miami-Dade College in Florida. A first group of five (5) officers participated in a Train-the-Trainer course in EHBO (First Aid), strengthening the organization’s internal capacity to provide lifesaving instruction and emergency response training.
Additionally, a second group of four (4) officers attended the Miami-Dade School of Justice, where they completed training as School Resource Officers for Sint Maarten. This marks the second group of School Resource Officers trained for the island, further reinforcing KPSM’s commitment to youth engagement, school safety, and crime prevention.
These trainings were conducted in collaboration with all Dutch Caribbean islands and coordinated through the Association of Chiefs of Police of the Dutch Caribbean (CvK). The Chief of Police of Sint Maarten, Mr. C. John, currently serves as Chairman of the CvK.
KPSM emphasizes that the School Resource Officer program plays a vital role in strengthening relationships between law enforcement and young people, while fostering safe and supportive learning environments across Sint Maarten.
The Police Force of Sint Maarten congratulates all officers who successfully completed these training's and commends them for their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to continuous improvement.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunication (TEATT) officially commenced the Strategic Economic Stakeholders Consultation, taking place February 2–6, 2026, bringing together a compact but high-impact group of regional experts, local leaders, and policymakers to initiate Sint Maarten’s next phase of economic planning.
This week’s consultation is supported by a diverse group of speakers and contributors with hands-on experience in economic transformation, tourism development, climate resilience, innovation, and governance, including:
Jim Hepple – Known for his advisory work supporting Aruba’s tourism development and strategic positioning, with a strong focus on sustainable destination management.
Vincent Wallace – A seasoned tourism professional who has contributed significantly to The Bahamas’ tourism sector through senior leadership and policy-driven roles.
Tadzio Bervoets – Widely recognized for his work in climate action, environmental protection, and sustainable development within small-island contexts.
Emily Lee – Former Minister of VSA, hotelier, and entrepreneur, bringing practical insight across public policy, private enterprise, and hospitality operations.
Gregory Richardson – Known for his work in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and innovation ecosystems, with relevance for modern public and private sector reform.
Together with the on-island expert team, these contributors are supporting a focused, working-session approach designed to move quickly from dialogue to direction.
As Minister of TEATT, Grisha S. Heyliger-Marten, emphasized:
“This week is intentionally compact and focused. It is not the final word—it is the beginning. The purpose is to set direction, identify priorities, and establish a strong foundation for the Strategic Economic Development Plan that will follow. Stakeholder engagement does not end here; it expands from here.”
The Ministry stresses that stakeholders who are unable to participate throughout the week will not be left out of the process. As the Strategic Economic Development Plan is drafted with the support of the expert team, additional outreach and targeted engagement will take place to ensure broad input, validation, and alignment.
This consultation represents the starting point of a longer, structured process—one that prioritizes realism, coordination, and implementation as Sint Maarten charts its economic future.