PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Mr. Richinel S.J. Brug, wishes to provide the public with an update regarding Sint Maarten patients currently receiving medical care abroad, in light of recent developments in the region, particularly the evolving situation in Venezuela.
From the onset of emerging regional tensions, the Ministry of VSA and SZV Social & Health Insurances have been closely monitoring the situation and assessing any potential impact on patient mobility, medical access, and continuity of care. As a precautionary measure, and prior to the developments over the past weekend, SZV had already begun facilitating the return of patients who were medically cleared and able to travel back to Sint Maarten from Curaçao and Colombia, due to concerns about possible disruptions to air travel in the region.
At this time, there are about 30 patients still receiving care in Curaçao and Colombia who require continued treatment before they are able to return home. SZV and the Ministry are actively coordinating medical oversight, logistics, and travel arrangements to ensure that these patients continue to receive appropriate care and can return safely as soon as their medical condition allows.
In the event of further escalation affecting Venezuela, Colombia, or Curaçao, the public is assured that contingency plans are already in place. SZV has identified alternative treatment destinations within the Caribbean, tailored to specific medical needs, to guarantee uninterrupted access to care for referred patients.
Minister Brug emphasized that these preparations are not solely a response to the current regional situation. “Even prior to recent developments, I instructed SZV to actively explore alternative care options within the Caribbean,” the Minister stated. “This was done both to strengthen our resilience in situations such as this and from a cost-containment perspective, while ensuring that the quality and safety of care remain paramount.”
The Ministry of VSA and SZV remain on top of this situation, working proactively, responsibly, and in close coordination with medical partners to protect the health and well-being of all patients receiving care abroad. The public will be kept informed should there be any changes that impact patient care or travel.

 Simpson Bay, St. Maarten:---  The Sint Maarten Marine Trades Association (SMMTA), in collaboration with the Simpson Bay Fireworks Association, is pleased to announce the return of Crew Year’s Eve, set to take place on Friday, January 9, 2026.
Crew Year’s Eve has become a much-anticipated tradition within St. Maarten’s maritime calendar, bringing together crew, marine professionals, residents, and visitors for an evening that celebrates the island’s vibrant marine community. The event will once again feature a festive atmosphere capped off with a spectacular fireworks display over Simpson Bay.
Following the strong turnout and positive response to previous editions, the SMMTA looks forward to welcoming the community for another memorable celebration. Crew Year’s Eve continues to serve as a moment of appreciation for the hard-working crews and businesses that contribute year-round to St. Maarten’s reputation as a leading yachting and maritime destination.
In addition to the main fireworks celebration scheduled for 10pm, several marinas will host events, welcoming both the maritime community and the wider public.
The SMMTA extends its sincere appreciation to the event partners and sponsors whose continued support makes Crew Year’s Eve possible: IGY Marinas, Yacht Club Port de Plaisance, Palapa Marina, Port of St. Maarten, Skyport Marina, Simpson Bay Resort, Pro Serve Marine, Island Water World, Napa, BWA Yachting, Carrefour, Steve Coetzer, PDG Supplies, and Bluwater Construction. Their commitment reflects the strength of collaboration within the marine sector and the shared pride in celebrating the people who power it.

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS:---  In a sharp rebuke of escalating geopolitical tensions, Prime Minister Mia Mottley has issued a stark warning about the perilous position of small island nations caught in the crossfire of international power struggles. Addressing the unfolding crisis in Venezuela, Mottley did not mince words, describing the Caribbean as "uncharted territory" where small states are forced to navigate the "testicular fortitude" of larger powers.

The Prime Minister's comments come as Barbados grapples with immediate logistical disruptions to its airspace and ports, consequences she attributes directly to the friction between major global players. Her address highlighted a growing frustration among Caribbean nations that find their stability threatened by conflicts they did not start.

"Conflict Has Consequences"

For Barbados, the impact of the Venezuelan crisis is not theoretical; it is immediate and economic. Mottley confirmed that the island's tourism and logistics hubs—vital lifelines for the economy—have already faced disruptions.

"We are not naive," Mottley stated, addressing the nation. "We understand that where large powers contend... that may have negative impact and implications for small countries such as ours."

She emphasized that the disruptions at the Grant Adams International Airport and the Bridgetown port affect more than just travelers; they strike at the livelihoods of ordinary citizens. "Not only wealthy people visit our nation," she noted, underscoring the vulnerability of the local economy to external shocks.

A Rules-Based Order Under Siege

Central to Mottley’s critique is the erosion of the international rules-based order, a framework she argues is existential for small states. She expressed deep concern over the "blatant breach" of international norms, suggesting that the world is regressing to a more dangerous, unstable era.

"In 2018, when I first addressed the United Nations, I said then that this world looks too much like it did a hundred years ago," Mottley recalled. "Regrettably, I have come to rue the day that I made that comment."

The Prime Minister painted a picture of a region lurching from "crisis to crisis"—from pandemics and cost-of-living surges to climate disasters and now, geopolitical instability. She argued that the current global environment leaves little room for "mature conversation," urging a de-escalation of hostilities before the fallout becomes unmanageable.

Navigating the Storm

Despite the critical tone, Mottley's message was also one of resilience and pragmatic leadership. She described the government’s current strategy as "perfecting the art of walking in between the raindrops," a metaphor for the precise and cautious diplomacy required to protect national interests without alienating powerful allies like the United States or Venezuela.

While maintaining that both nations remain "friends" of Barbados, she firmly aligned the country's foreign policy with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), prioritizing regional unity over unilateral alignment.

"Small states can only survive in an international rules-based order," she reiterated. "Anything that happens that runs contrary to that would be of grave concern to us as a people."

As tensions continue to simmer in Caracas, Mottley's words serve as a potent reminder that in the "playground" of global politics, it is often the smallest nations that suffer the most immediate bruising.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico:---  A weekend of unprecedented military activity has sent shockwaves through the Caribbean’s vital tourism sector. Following a U.S. military operation in Venezuela aimed at the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3 and 4, major travel hubs from Puerto Rico to the Dutch Caribbean face logistical gridlock, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded and scrambling for answers.

While the primary target was the Venezuelan capital, the ripple effects were felt immediately across the region’s airspace. Safety protocols triggered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded hundreds of flights, forcing airlines and cruise operators into emergency response mode during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.

The Dutch Caribbean: A Proximity Crisis

For the "ABC Islands"—Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao—geographic proximity to the Venezuelan coast turned a distant political conflict into an immediate travel crisis. Aruba, situated just 15 miles from Venezuela, bore the brunt of the disruptions.

On Saturday, January 3, Queen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba saw 91 flight cancellations, wiping out more than half of its daily schedule. Southwest Airlines suspended all service to the island at the height of the operation.

"We are used to being a peaceful getaway," said a representative for the Aruban tourism board. "But when airspace closes this close to home, safety becomes the only priority."

Though no direct military threats were reported against the Dutch territories, international carriers exercised extreme caution. KLM and Air France cancelled transatlantic flights from Europe, while KLM issued specific warnings for travelers heading to the region. While flights began to resume late Sunday, the backlog of passengers remains significant.

Sint Maarten and Puerto Rico: Hubs at a Standstill

Further north, the impact was less about geography and more about safety regulations. In Sint Maarten, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina confirmed that while local airspace technically remained open, the reality on the ground was starkly different. Major U.S. carriers—including JetBlue, Delta, American, Spirit, and Frontier—halted operations to Princess Juliana International Airport to comply with FAA safety zones.

This left both residents and tourists stranded, with regional carriers like WINAIR and St. Barth Commuter forced to scale down operations.

However, the most severe bottleneck occurred in Puerto Rico. As the primary aviation hub for the Caribbean, Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan saw over 400 flight cancellations. Estimates suggest between 50,000 and 75,000 passengers were left stranded, creating scenes of frustration and confusion at terminals.

Cruise Lines Scramble to Adjust

The chaos extended beyond the tarmac to the region's cruise ports. Ships that rely on San Juan and other islands as turnaround ports— where passengers fly in to begin their voyages—faced a logistical nightmare.

Vessels such as the Jewel of the Seas, Valiant Lady, and Grand Princess were unable to welcome incoming guests or offload departing ones due to the lack of flights. Cruise lines took drastic measures to manage the fallout:

• Windstar Cruises delayed departures from St. Maarten and Barbados to wait for delayed guests.

• P&O Cruises was forced to arrange emergency charter flights for nearly 5,000 guests stranded in Barbados.

Geopolitics and Economic Aftershocks

Beyond the immediate travel headaches, the operation has sparked broader geopolitical tension. Leaders in neighboring Brazil and Colombia condemned the military action, citing concerns over long-term stability in South America.

Economically, the region is bracing for shifts. Oil prices saw initial volatility, trading between $60 and $62 per barrel. The U.S. administration has signaled intentions to involve American oil companies in rebuilding Venezuela’s infrastructure, a move that could fundamentally alter economic flows in the hemisphere.

For Venezuela itself, the situation remains dire. The U.S. State Department maintains a "Level 4: Do Not Travel" advisory. Thousands of international tourists currently inside the country face extreme difficulty departing, with local airspace closed and commercial flights suspended.

The Path to Recovery

As of Monday, January 5, a fragile recovery is underway. The FAA lifted primary airspace restrictions at midnight on Sunday, allowing airlines to begin repositioning aircraft and crews. Most carriers, including American, Delta, United, and JetBlue, have issued travel waivers and fee cancellations through January 10 to help passengers rebook.

For the Caribbean tourism industry, the priority is now clearing the backlog and reassuring the world that the islands remain open for business. While the skies are clearing, the events of this weekend serve as a stark reminder of how quickly geopolitical instability can ground the region's most important economic engine.