PHILIPSBURG:--- Sint Maarten is grappling with a crisis, and it’s not a storm or a hurricane—it's a relentless wave of violent crime made worse by failed leadership and misguided policies. As armed robbers strike again and again, residents and tourists alike are left asking: What exactly is the Minister of Justice doing to protect us?
The answer so far? Not enough. The facts speak for themselves, and the timeline is damning.
On November 29th, 2025, just after midnight, a hotel in the Oyster Pond area was the first to be hit. Several suspects stormed the premises, held up the staff, and left with the safe. The ink on the police report was barely dry when, later that same day, a jewelry store in a hotel at Oyster Pond was robbed. Three suspects on a scooter entered the property, robbed the store, and fled in an unknown direction. The audacity and frequency of these crimes showed a new level of boldness.
The violence didn’t stop there. On Saturday at around 9:00 pm, another dramatic armed robbery unfolded at Island Treasure Jewelry Store in the Maho area. Individuals dressed in black smashed the glass, entered the store, and fled toward Lowlands in a gray vehicle. These aren’t isolated events—they’re part of a chilling trend. Criminals are acting with a sense of impunity, emboldened by a justice system that sends the message: there will be no serious consequences.
The core issue is clear. Government policy, specifically the claim that Pointe Blanche prison is “at capacity,” means too many dangerous criminals are being let back onto the streets. The so-called “80% full” policy is nothing short of an open invitation for robbers and gunmen to keep terrorizing our communities. Meanwhile, the prosecutor’s office seems more interested in making headlines by going after civil servants and politicians than actually locking up violent offenders.
This misguided approach not only puts every citizen at greater risk, but it also delivers a devastating blow to the tourism industry—the very backbone of our economy. How can we expect visitors to come when jewelry stores in hotels are targeted, and criminals can act without fear? The headlines about crime are replacing our “Friendly Island” image with one of chaos and danger.
We look to our elected officials for leadership and decisive action. Yet what we see is a government that seems detached from the daily realities of the people. Politicians jet off to Europe while the real crises right here at home go unaddressed. Public safety should be the priority, not an afterthought or a talking point at press conferences.
Enough is enough. The people of Sint Maarten are tired of hearing about prison capacity and being handed excuses. We demand action now. The Minister of Justice must direct real energy and authority toward locking up armed and dangerous offenders, not just chasing headlines. The time for lip service is over—our safety and future as an island depend on it.
We need real solutions, not empty promises. The current approach puts every resident and tourist at risk, and the citizens of Sint Maarten are paying the price. It’s time for the government to act before our paradise is lost for good.

PHILIPSBURG:--- As residents and visitors navigate the crater-filled main roads of St. Maarten, a growing chorus of public frustration is aimed squarely at the Ministry of VROMI and its head, Minister Patrice Gumbs Jr. While major arteries from the Airport to the Cruise Port deteriorate into obstacle courses, the ministry has announced a significant "Concrete Hard Resurfacing Project" on Goldfinch Road, a decision that has many questioning the government's priorities.
For weeks, drivers have been swerving to avoid a minefield of potholes, many of which are crudely circled with white paint but left unrepaired. These hazardous conditions create daily traffic dilemmas, risk damage to vehicles, and present a poor image to the thousands of tourists who form the backbone of the island's economy. Yet, official government channels remained silent on a comprehensive plan for these critical routes.
Instead, the focus has shifted to the Goldfinch Road project in Pointe Blanche, set to begin on December 8th. The announcement has sparked public outcry, with many citizens pointing out that this road serves a far smaller share of the population than the island's main thoroughfares. The project's timing and location have fueled allegations of favoritism, particularly as it benefits a secluded area where a new condominium complex was recently completed.
Further scrutiny falls on the opaque nature of other recent infrastructure projects. The repair work at the Pelican Entrance, leading to the Hilton Resort, has raised serious questions about public procurement processes. Critics ask why this public-private partnership project was not put out for public tender, a standard requirement for infrastructure works exceeding a certain value. The fact that the family home of MP Peterson, a key political ally of the Minister from the same PFP party, is located along this very route has only intensified accusations of cronyism.

The quality of the work itself has also come under fire. Citizens have observed that what was promised as a full resurfacing often materializes as mere patchwork. These temporary fixes quickly degrade, suggesting that public funds are being spent on short-term solutions that fail to address the underlying infrastructure decay. This approach leads to an endless cycle of repairs, costing taxpayers more in the long run while providing little relief.
As frustration mounts, the public is left to wonder about how resources are allocated. How can a small residential street take precedence over the island's primary economic corridor? Why are standard tendering processes seemingly bypassed for projects connected to the politically influential? These decisions erode public trust and suggest that infrastructure planning is being driven by personal connections rather than the urgent needs of the wider community.
The people of St. Maarten deserve safe roads and transparent governance. The current situation—potholes for the many, pristine pavement for a select few—is untenable. It is time for Minister Gumbs and the Ministry of VROMI to provide clear answers, justify their priorities, and commit to a fair and transparent process for all future infrastructure projects. Accountability is not just a request; it is a demand from a public tired of navigating a broken system.

PHILIPSBURG:--- A bombshell investigation into the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunication (TEATT) reveals a deeply rooted system of corruption, nepotism, and blatant disregard for the law in the issuance of taxi and bus licenses. An official moratorium on new permits, in effect from 2014 to 2022, was systematically violated, with dozens of licenses handed out behind closed doors, often to politically connected individuals.

Documents obtained from within the Ministry paint a damning picture of a two-tiered system where rules were ignored for a select few. While law-abiding citizens were told no new licenses were available, a steady stream of permits was being approved, raising serious questions about who benefited from this flagrant breach of policy.

The evidence is undeniable. During the moratorium, numerous licenses were issued, including PT-0107/18, PT-0188/17, and PT-0130/20. These are not isolated incidents but part of a wider pattern of favoritism that mocks the very foundation of transparent governance. The issuance of these licenses during a government-mandated freeze represents a severe breach of public trust and suggests a deliberate effort to circumvent regulations.

The rot runs deeper than just illegal issuances. The data shows multiple instances of duplicate license numbers, such as PT-0022/18 and PT-0349/18, which appear more than once in official records. These duplicates could be exploited for fraudulent activities, allowing multiple vehicles to operate under a single permit. This points to either gross incompetence or calculated deception within the Ministry’s licensing department.

Further analysis uncovers another troubling scheme: individuals registered as "helper drivers" for multiple, unrelated permit holders.

This improbable arrangement strongly suggests that these positions are being used as a loophole, potentially to reward cronies or allow permit holders to bypass operational requirements. How can one driver work for several different taxi operations at once? The answer is simple: they can't. It's a clear indicator of a system being manipulated for personal or political gain.

The timing and nature of these issuances demand scrutiny of the political administrations overseeing the Ministry during this period. The public has a right to know if these licenses were handed out as political favors, cementing a culture of quid pro quo that undermines fair competition and rewards loyalty over merit.

This is not just about administrative failures; it is about accountability. The officials who presided over this broken system must answer for their actions. A full-scale, independent investigation is no longer a request but a necessity. Every license issued during the 2014-2022 moratorium must be audited, and any political or familial links must be brought into the light.

The people of St. Maarten deserve a government that operates with integrity. The evidence shows a ministry that has failed its citizens. It is time to dismantle this corrupt framework and hold every individual involved, from the clerks to the Ministers, fully accountable for this betrayal of public office.

PHILIPSBURG:---  Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina will be travelling to the Netherlands from December 6–13, 2025, as part of a previously scheduled working visit that remains a priority for Sint Maarten. The importance of this mission has increased following a meeting held this afternoon with the Prime Ministers of Curaçao, Mr. Gilmar Pisas, and the Prime Minister of Aruba, Mr. Mike Eman. During that consultation, Prime Minister Mercelina was mandated by his colleagues to represent all three Prime Ministers of the Netherlands, ensuring that he would be on the ground to receive first-hand information on ongoing developments between the United States and Venezuela.

“Given the evolving landscape in our region, Sint Maarten must remain actively engaged at the highest diplomatic levels. My presence in the Netherlands is essential to ensure that our country’s security, safety, perspectives, and priorities are clearly represented,” stated Prime Minister Mercelina; hence my scheduled meeting with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mr. Dick Schoof, coming Monday, December 8, 2025.

The working visit also follows earlier bilateral discussions in New York with Kingdom partners, where cooperation, preparedness, and international developments were among the main topics. Reflecting on the broader regional dynamic, the Prime Minister added, “Considering Aruba and Curaçao’s geographical proximity to areas of heightened concern, it is understandable that my colleagues may face constraints in attending certain sessions in person. Their continued participation through official representatives allows our shared work to continue effectively and cohesively.”

During the visit, Prime Minister Mercelina will take part in a full program of strategic engagements, including consultations with the Minister Plenipotentiary in The Hague discussions with the VNG, and other high-level multilateral meetings. He also intends to meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Mr. van Weel, to address international matters and developments relevant to the Kingdom, as well as the ongoing tension in the Caribbean.

In addition to these governmental engagements, the Prime Minister will participate in the Inter-Expo conference in The Hague, which will focus on the future prospects of the Kingdom of the Netherlands 15 years after 10/10/10. During this three-day conference, he will contribute to panel discussions alongside regional leaders and experts, including former Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende en Mr. Ernst Hirsch Ballin. He will also deliver a keynote address focusing on the constitutional autonomy.
The Government of Sint Maarten will continue to provide updates as the Prime Minister’s working visit progresses.