Pond Island:---  Final preparations are well underway as the St. Maarten Little League Association prepares to welcome twelve countries to the island for the 2026 Latin America & Caribbean Little League Baseball Tournament, scheduled to take place from Sunday, July 12 through Saturday, July 18, 2026, at the Erwin "Baco" Richardson Little League Stadium.

The prestigious regional tournament will bring together some of the Caribbean and Latin America's most talented young baseball players as they compete for the opportunity to advance to the Little League World Series, while showcasing the spirit, sportsmanship and hospitality that Sint Maarten is known for.

Association President Michael Hyman said preparations have now entered their final phase and expressed gratitude to the  volunteers, sponsors, Government agencies and event partners who continue working tirelessly to ensure the island delivers a first-class international tournament. Thank you to all who have contributed thus far, we are still open to receiving sponsorship and volunteers should this opportunity peak your interest.

"Hosting this tournament is much bigger than baseball. It is an opportunity to showcase Sint Maarten to the entire region, to inspire our young athletes and to demonstrate what our community can accomplish when we work together. Every volunteer, sponsor and supporter has played an important role in making this event possible, and we look forward to welcoming our visiting teams and fans to our island."

Official Opening Ceremony

The Association is inviting the entire community to attend the Official Opening Ceremony on Sunday, July 12, 2026, beginning promptly at 6:00 p.m.

Prior to the ceremony, participating teams will take part in a celebratory parade beginning at the Government Administration Building, travelling past the Jocelyn Arndell Festival Village, before making their way into the Erwin "Baco" Richardson Little League Stadium.

Residents are encouraged to line the parade route, welcome the visiting delegations and proudly support Team Sint Maarten as the island officially opens one of the region's premier youth sporting events.

Parking Lot Preparation

As part of the final preparations for the tournament, the parking lot adjacent to the Erwin "Baco" Richardson Little League Stadium has officially been placed under the care of the St. Maarten Little League Association by the Ministry of VROMI for the duration of the tournament period.

The Association extends its sincere appreciation to the Ministry of VROMI for its continued support in helping prepare the venue for this major international event.

Members of the public who previously utilized the parking area were requested to remove all vehicles, buses and personal property to facilitate tournament preparations. The area is now being transformed to accommodate tournament operations, visiting delegations, spectators and logistical requirements throughout the event.

Season Passes Still Available

With excitement continuing to build, the Association has extended the deadline for supporters wishing to purchase Season Passes until Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

Season passes are available for:

• Adults: US$65 (General Admission: US$10 per day)
• Children (ages 4–15): US$30 (General Admission: US$5 per day)

The Association encourages supporters to secure their passes before the deadline to enjoy every game throughout tournament week while supporting Team Sint Maarten.

A Tournament for the Entire Community

Beyond the competition on the field, the tournament is expected to generate significant activity for the island's economy through increased visitor arrivals, hotel occupancy, restaurant patronage and local business engagement.

The St. Maarten Little League Association encourages residents to come out throughout the week, cheer on the home team and extend a warm Sint Maarten welcome to the visiting countries.

With only days remaining until first pitch, the Association is confident that the island is ready to deliver a memorable tournament that reflects the pride, unity and hospitality of the people of Sint Maarten.

For tournament schedules, ticket information and updates, members of the public are encouraged to follow the St. Maarten Little League Association on its official Facebook and Instagram platforms, @sxmlittleleague.

Pond Island:---  Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten conducted an extensive walkthrough of the Philipsburg Boardwalk, using one of the area’s busier cruise days to assess enforcement concerns, beach vending operations and the overall visitor experience. The visit was carried out alongside the Inspectorate of Economic and Transport Affairs (IETA) and followed the submission of a detailed IETA assessment outlining operational concerns along the Boardwalk and beachfront.

Two large cruise vessels were in port during the walkthrough, giving the Ministry an opportunity to observe the Boardwalk under heavy visitor traffic. The Minister was accompanied by members of her Cabinet, IETA’s Department Head, Section Head, Economic Controllers and other Inspectorate representatives.

The walkthrough covered the full length of the Boardwalk, with attention to commercial activity on the beachfront and in public areas. The Minister and her team also spoke directly with several business owners and operators about the challenges they face, including those related to regulation, compliance and the management of public spaces.

Among the issues observed were the inconsistent identification and marking of authorized beach vendors offering chair and umbrella services, sanitation concerns despite the presence of public waste bins, and continued unauthorized solicitation, commonly referred to as “barking.” IETA representatives also pointed to the practical challenges Economic Controllers face when carrying out inspections and enforcement during peak visitor periods.

“The report submitted by IETA provided an excellent foundation, but there is no substitute for seeing these matters firsthand,” Minister Heyliger-Marten said. “I appreciated the opportunity to walk the Boardwalk alongside our inspectors, hear directly from the business community and better understand the realities they face on a daily basis.”

She said the visit helped clarify the areas requiring immediate attention and reinforced the need for stronger coordination among government entities.

“Revitalizing Philipsburg is a shared responsibility,” the Minister said. “Many of the issues affecting the Boardwalk involve overlapping responsibilities, including those of TEATT, VROMI and Justice. I remain committed to ensuring that the necessary discussions and coordinated actions take place.”

The Minister also noted that the current moratorium on new beach activity permits provides TEATT with an important opportunity to review existing operations and address areas needing improvement. Through its Licensing, Policy and Enforcement divisions, the Ministry will continue reviewing current practices with the aim of strengthening compliance, improving the visitor experience and supporting a more orderly and sustainable operating environment.

The work also supports TEATT’s ongoing collaboration with the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) and the World Bank on the development of a modern Beach and Vending Policy for Sint Maarten. The policy framework is intended to establish clearer standards for beach vending and beach-related commercial activity, while supporting economic opportunity, fairness for permit holders and the protection of public spaces.

The ministry will continue engaging relevant stakeholders as the work progresses and will provide further updates on planned improvements and policy developments in the months ahead.

Pond Island:--- The Disney Destiny's inaugural call to St. Maarten on July 1 ushered in a significant expansion of Disney Cruise Line's presence on the island, marking the first of three scheduled Disney visits in 2026, with approximately 14 calls expected in 2027 and further growth anticipated in 2028, according to Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten.

Speaking during the inaugural visit onboard the ship, Minister Heyliger-Marten described the occasion as an important milestone in the growing partnership between Disney Cruise Line and St. Maarten.

"This year, Disney Cruise Line is scheduled to make two calls to St. Maarten. In 2027, that number is expected to grow to approximately 14 calls, and by 2028, we intend to work closely with Port St. Maarten to further expand Disney's presence on our shores," the Minister said.

She noted that Disney Cruise Line's ongoing fleet expansion presents a strategic opportunity for St. Maarten to strengthen its position within the company's Caribbean itineraries.

"With Disney Cruise Line currently developing five additional ships, we see tremendous opportunities for continued growth. As their fleet expands, we are committed to positioning St. Maarten as a premier cruise destination, increasing the number of Disney calls to our island."

The Minister said that the anticipated increase in Disney Cruise Line visits represents more than additional ship calls. It reflects growing confidence in St. Maarten's tourism product and its ability to deliver memorable visitor experiences while creating tangible economic opportunities for the destination.

Each Disney call brings thousands of visitors to the island, generating business for taxi operators, tour companies, restaurants, retailers, attractions and other tourism-related enterprises. The increased calls will also enhance St. Maarten's visibility among families and repeat cruise travelers, strengthening the island's reputation as a premier Caribbean destination and supporting jobs and economic activity throughout the tourism sector.

Minister Heyliger-Marten also commended Port St. Maarten for its continued efforts to strengthen the island's cruise sector through strategic partnerships and route development, noting that its collaboration with cruise lines has been instrumental in creating new opportunities for St. Maarten's tourism industry and the wider economy.

"Port St. Maarten continues to play a critical role in expanding our cruise product and attracting world-class cruise partners such as Disney Cruise Line. This growth is the result of sustained collaboration and a shared commitment to positioning St. Maarten as a premier Caribbean destination," she said.

The Minister said that as cruise tourism continues to grow, equal attention must be given to ensuring a positive experience for both visitors and residents.

"As we welcome more cruise visitors to our shores, we must continue investing in the overall destination experience. That means working together to improve traffic flow, strengthen transportation and visitor services, and ensure our infrastructure keeps pace with growth. Sustainable growth is about creating an experience that benefits our visitors while enhancing the quality of life for our residents."

"Our vision is clear: to build an even stronger partnership with one of the world's most recognized cruise brands while ensuring that St. Maarten remains a top destination of choice for Disney Cruise Line for many years to come. By growing responsibly and collaboratively, we can maximize the benefits of cruise tourism for our people, our businesses and our economy."

The Ministry of TEATT will continue working closely with Port St. Maarten, Disney Cruise Line and other stakeholders to strengthen the destination's position in the cruise industry, enhance the visitor experience and maximize the long-term economic benefits of cruise tourism for St. Maarten.

~Festival Village fight exposes a deeper crisis in St. Maarten's homes~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The arrest of four young men following a violent altercation during the Buss Di Chain Cooler Fete at the Jocelyn Arndell Festival Village is more than another Carnival incident. It is another warning that St. Maarten is raising a generation of children without discipline, guidance, accountability, or respect for authority.

According to the Police Force of St. Maarten (KPSM), officers responded swiftly to the disturbance, arrested all four individuals involved, and transported them to the Philipsburg Police Station, where they remain in custody pending further investigation. KPSM also made it clear that anyone engaging in criminal, violent, or disorderly behavior at public events should expect immediate police intervention and legal consequences.

But while the police can arrest offenders, they cannot raise children.

Across St. Maarten, more and more parents and guardians have surrendered one of the most important responsibilities entrusted to them: teaching their children respect, discipline, responsibility, and consequences. Instead of conversations around the dinner table, many children are being raised by television screens, mobile phones, social media, and the internet. Parents are often too distracted, too absent, or simply unwilling to correct bad behavior before it becomes criminal behavior.

For many youngsters today, there is no fear of consequences because there are no consequences at home.

Many children are not being taught to respect adults, teachers, police officers, or even their own parents. They witness profanity, violence, disrespect, and reckless behavior every day, and too often those examples begin inside their own homes. Children rarely become responsible citizens by accident—they learn by watching the adults around them.

Carnival should be a celebration of St. Maarten's culture, music, and unity. Instead, each year incidents of fighting, disorderly conduct, and violence continue to overshadow what should be one of the country's proudest traditions. While the overwhelming majority attend events peacefully, a small group repeatedly threatens public safety and damages the island's reputation.

Parents cannot simply blame schools, police, government, or society when their children end up in handcuffs. Character is first built at home. Respect begins at home. Discipline begins at home.

If a parent knows where their child is every hour of the night, knows who their friends are, insists on respect, and is willing to correct bad behavior immediately, many of these confrontations would never happen.

Instead, too many youngsters roam the streets late into the night with little or no supervision. When trouble follows, the same parents often appear shocked that their child has been arrested.

The reality is that society cannot continue making excuses. A juvenile who repeatedly commits violent acts today may become tomorrow's armed robber, gang member, or murderer if early intervention never takes place.

St. Maarten has reached a point where accountability must replace excuses.

Young people who choose violence must understand that age does not place them above the law. When they assault others, destroy property, intimidate innocent people, or disturb public order, they should expect to face the full consequences provided by law. Intervention at an early stage may prevent far more serious crimes later in life.

At the same time, parents and guardians must reflect on the example they set. Children learn far more from what they see than from what they are told. If adults resolve disputes with anger, ignore rules, or show disrespect for others, they should not be surprised when their children mirror that behavior.

KPSM has pledged to maintain a strong police presence throughout Carnival to ensure public safety and enforce the law. Officers are to be commended for their swift response at the Festival Village and for their continued efforts to keep residents and visitors safe.

However, policing alone cannot solve a parenting crisis.

The future of St. Maarten depends not only on strong law enforcement, but on strong families. Until parents and guardians once again accept their responsibility to raise children with discipline, respect, and accountability, the courts and police will continue dealing with problems that should have been prevented long before they reach the streets.