PHILIPSBURG—Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling delivered a comprehensive update on the state of St. Maarten’s justice sector during Wednesday’s Council of Ministers Press Briefing, outlining significant progress in international cooperation, border security, detention reform and victim support services while emphasizing that the work of strengthening public safety continues on multiple fronts.
Before addressing ministry matters, Tackling extended condolences to the families of two young men who recently lost their lives in separate motorcycle accidents. Calling the incidents “heartbreaking tragedies,” the minister urged motorists and motorcyclists alike to exercise greater caution on the nation’s roads.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility, and every life lost is one too many,” she stated.
The minister then highlighted a series of high-level international engagements undertaken in recent weeks, including participation in meetings of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) in Trinidad, the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) in Vienna, and a subsequent working visit to the Netherlands.
According to Tackling, these meetings focused on critical issues affecting St. Maarten, including financial crime, youth violence prevention, cybercrime, border management, detention reform, rehabilitation programs and institutional strengthening.
A key focus of discussions in Trinidad was St. Maarten’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing framework. While international partners acknowledged progress made over the past year, Tackling noted that significant work remains to address outstanding deficiencies and prepare the country for its next major evaluation cycle.
“Preparation cannot wait until 2032,” Tackling emphasized, noting that readiness efforts must begin as early as 2027 to ensure St. Maarten remains compliant with international financial standards.
In Vienna, the minister represented St. Maarten in global discussions on justice reform and women’s rights within the criminal justice system. She participated in a session focused on implementing the United Nations Bangkok Rules, advocating for gender-responsive justice systems that address rehabilitation, mental health support, reintegration, and family connections for women involved in the justice system.
Tackling also shared St. Maarten’s experiences with detention reform during an international forum examining prison reform in small-island jurisdictions.
The subsequent visit to the Netherlands allowed the ministry to build upon those discussions through direct engagement with Dutch institutions and experts. Topics included youth crime prevention, customs modernization, financial intelligence, illegal firearms, detention reform and border security.
The minister revealed that she also visited correctional facilities in the Netherlands and met with St. Maarten nationals currently serving sentences abroad. The visits, she said, provided valuable insight into rehabilitation challenges and reintegration opportunities for inmates who may eventually return to St. Maarten society.
At home, Tackling reported that Immigration and Border Protection Services (IBPS) continues to prepare for significant modernization initiatives, including the rollout of the long-awaited Foreign Management System (FMS).
The new immigration platform, expected to go live on July 1, will modernize permit processing, improve record management and increase operational efficiency within immigration services.
As part of those efforts, the ministry will host a public information session on employment and residence permit procedures on June 25 at the Government Administration Building.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies continue to intensify efforts to combat violent crime, illegal firearms trafficking and narcotics-related offenses. Tackling praised the ongoing work of the Police Force of St. Maarten (KPSM), Customs Department and Immigration and Border Protection Services, noting that coordinated enforcement operations remain critical to maintaining public safety and strengthening border security.
The minister also highlighted the work being carried out by Victim Support Services, particularly in assisting victims of domestic violence and intimate partner violence. Recent participation in the Victim Support Europe Conference and collaboration with regional partners through the No Mas No More Network have further strengthened support systems for victims throughout the Dutch Caribbean.
Despite ongoing challenges, Tackling said the Ministry of Justice remains committed to modernizing systems, reforming institutions and improving services for the people of St. Maarten.
“Meaningful progress is being made across a number of areas, often quietly and without headlines,” she said. “The work of strengthening public safety, improving our institutions, reforming detention, modernizing our systems, supporting victims and protecting our borders is ongoing.”
The minister reaffirmed that the Ministry of Justice will continue to keep the public informed as these initiatives advance in the months ahead.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina addressed several matters of public concern during Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing, focusing on a factual review conducted within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) and recent developments at utilities company NV GEBE.

Dr. Mercelina stated that following public allegations concerning the VSA Ministry, he requested a factual review by the ministry’s administration to determine whether any formal complaints, reports, documented concerns or official allegations had been submitted through established channels.

According to the Prime Minister, the review conducted by the Secretary-General of VSA found no formal complaints, no official reports, no documented allegations and no requests for intervention through the ministry’s established procedures. He said the findings distinguish between public speculation and verified facts, emphasizing that allegations should be supported by evidence and addressed through proper procedures.

Responding to media questions about whistleblower protections and whether additional investigations would be conducted, Mercelina noted that the Integrity Chamber is expected to conduct its own investigation into the matter. He stressed that the government supports the right of civil servants to raise concerns without fear of retaliation and said safeguards remain in place to encourage reporting through appropriate channels.

The Prime Minister also rejected suggestions that he should not serve as Acting Minister of VSA. He explained that ministerial replacement arrangements were established by a national decree upon the formation of the government and that he is acting in accordance with the previously approved arrangements.

Turning to developments at NV GEBE, Mercelina confirmed that the temporary manager, Thomas Ruggendorf, had resigned and that the financial consultant, Wilco Seinen, had ended his consultancy arrangement at his own request. He further explained that negotiations with a potential Chief Operations Officer candidate did not result in an agreement because compensation could not exceed limits established under St. Maarten’s top-income legislation.

As a result, the GEBE Supervisory Board has decided to reopen the recruitment process for the company’s executive leadership positions, including Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and Chief Operations Officer (COO). The Prime Minister said the process will be conducted by an independent professional recruitment firm to ensure transparency, fairness, and credibility.

Mercelina also expressed confidence in temporary manager Iris Arrindell, describing her as experienced, knowledgeable, and capable of maintaining stability while the recruitment process moves forward.

Addressing public concerns about foreign involvement in GEBE’s management, the Prime Minister noted that the previous temporary manager had originally been selected through a recruitment process conducted by BDO under the former government. He said his administration simply continued an existing process during the national energy crisis to ensure continuity of service.

“We have to move forward,” Mercelina said, emphasizing that the focus remains on securing qualified leadership and ensuring reliable electricity and water services for the people of St. Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina responded to a series of questions during Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing, addressing concerns ranging from whistleblower protections within government to the delayed 2026 national budget and the appointment of St. Maarten’s Inspector General of Public Health.

The first line of questioning focused on allegations previously made regarding the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA). Asked whether civil servants might be reluctant to come forward with complaints due to his dual role as Prime Minister and Acting Minister of VSA, Mercelina said the government remains committed to protecting employees who report concerns.

He pointed to existing reporting channels and noted that the Integrity Chamber is preparing to conduct its own investigation. He also referenced ongoing efforts to strengthen whistleblower protections and emphasized that civil servants should feel free to report misconduct without fear of retaliation.

During the exchange, the Prime Minister argued that political rhetoric has contributed to unnecessary unrest and defended the work environment within VSA, describing a recent meeting with the ministry’s management team as constructive and professional.

The briefing also featured questions regarding the detention of Dr. Danny Denway. The Prime Minister deferred to Justice Minister Natalie Tackling, who reiterated that the government does not comment on individual criminal cases and noted that decisions regarding pretrial detention are made by the judiciary rather than the executive branch.

Questions then turned to the 2026 national budget. Asked how the government intends to manage a larger budget later in the year after operating under the 2025 budget framework for several months, Mercelina explained that the budget has already been submitted to Parliament and that the government intends to move quickly once parliamentary approval is obtained.

He said routine government operations have continued despite the delay and that investment projects currently awaiting financial authorization are prepared to proceed as soon as funding becomes available.

In another exchange, the Prime Minister was asked about the appointment of Inspector General Alcala and allegations connected to his previous tenure in Curaçao. Mercelina described the claims presented during the briefing as serious and said he was not personally familiar with the details, noting that he only became Acting Minister of VSA earlier this month.

While promising to review the information, he cautioned against making unverified accusations in public forums and stressed the importance of balancing accountability with fairness toward public officials and professionals.

Throughout the question-and-answer session, Mercelina repeatedly emphasized the need for fact-based public discourse, proper investigative procedures and responsible governance, arguing that St. Maarten’s current challenges require unity and stability rather than political division.

PHILIPSBURG: ---  Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten used Wednesday's Council of Ministers Press Briefing to emphasize the government's continued commitment to economic development through entrepreneurship, education, and consumer protection.

Addressing members of the media and the public, the Minister said progress remains at the heart of the government's "Forward by Design" approach, which focuses on making deliberate decisions to strengthen Sint Maarten's future.

A key announcement centered on the St. Maarten Entrepreneurship Development Center (SEDC), which currently has registration open for several training programs under its Advanced Education Program. The courses target entrepreneurs, small business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and individuals working within the creative sector.

The upcoming training opportunities cover Public Relations and Social Media Marketing, Financial Management and Decision-Making, and opportunities within the Creative and Film Industry. Participants can access professional-level training for a registration fee of US$35 per course.

"Strong businesses contribute to a stronger economy," the Minister stated, emphasizing that supporting entrepreneurship requires more than financing and must also include skills development and knowledge-building.

The Minister also provided an update on the work of the Inspection Department of Economic and Transport Affairs (IETA), which has intensified inspections across various sectors in recent months.

According to the Minister, inspections focused on compliance with maximum-price controls, price-display requirements, business-licensing regulations, permit conditions, and fuel-pump calibration standards.

As a result of the inspections, fines totaling NAf 5,125 were issued to supermarkets and retail establishments for violations involving maximum pricing regulations, failure to display prices, and licensing infractions. An additional NAf 2,350 in fines was issued following inspections of petrol stations and related businesses.

Particular attention was given to fuel pump calibration, where several pumps were found operating outside legally permitted tolerance levels. Those pumps were immediately removed from service until corrective measures were completed and compliance was verified.

The Minister stressed that the inspections are designed not to hinder businesses but to protect consumers, ensure fair competition, and support responsible operators.

IETA is expected to continue conducting both routine and unannounced inspections throughout 2026 as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen consumer confidence and marketplace integrity.