PHILIPSBURG:---  Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), Grisha Heyliger-Marten, has confirmed that the Government of St. Maarten is awaiting the results of a comprehensive assessment by Port St. Maarten on the feasibility of introducing Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as a fuel option for cruise ships and potential domestic energy use.

Responding to questions during the Council of Ministers press briefing, the Minister said the port is conducting an in-depth study on whether LNG should become part of the country’s energy strategy, noting that the move must be based on sound technical and environmental data.

“The port is busy doing a full assessment, including an in-depth analysis, to see if LNG is the way to go,” Minister Heyliger-Marten explained. “We need to understand if we should move forward completely with LNG or ensure we remain diverse in our energy options.”

The Minister acknowledged that several major cruise lines are gradually transitioning to cleaner fuels, including LNG, but clarified that not all ships are powered entirely by LNG.

“Cruise ships today have different types of fuel systems. None is fully 100% LNG — many use a combination of fuels,” she said. “That’s why St. Maarten must remain flexible and make an informed decision once the report is finalized.”

Asked whether St. Maarten could face competition from neighboring islands such as Antigua, which already has LNG fueling facilities, the Minister said it would be premature to speculate before the port’s findings are completed.

“I would still await the results of the report from Port St. Maarten,” she said. “Once that analysis is done, we’ll be better positioned to decide the way forward.”

The port’s LNG feasibility assessment is expected to guide future policy decisions on sustainable maritime energy infrastructure, aligning with global trends toward cleaner fuel use in the cruise industry.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication (TEATT), Grisha Heyliger-Marten, has confirmed that no agreement or discussion is currently in place between the Government of St. Maarten and the organizers of Soul Beach Festival for the 2026 edition of the event.

Speaking at the Council of Ministers press briefing, Minister Heyliger-Marten addressed questions regarding the festival’s future after the Soul Beach website announced St. Maarten as its 2026 destination.

“No, there’s no discussion as yet with Soul Beach for 2026,” the Minister said. “As you’re aware, the 2025 budget amendment is still pending in Parliament. Given that situation, I can’t in good conscience have any agreement in place with Soul Beach right now.”

The Minister added that a SER report on Soul Beach 2025 is expected to be submitted to her office shortly.

“The SER report is on its way to me. We already discussed the deadline, so it should be readily available by next week or later next week,” she noted. “I’ll have it just in time for the meeting of November 17.”

Heyliger-Marten emphasized that the Government has made no financial commitments at this stage and that any future collaboration will depend on the report's findings and available budgetary resources.

“Of course, once I receive it, I’m sure it will be a public report,” she added.

Despite online announcements from the event’s organizers, the Minister reiterated that no formal agreement exists for 2026, underscoring that fiscal prudence and transparency remain priorities for the Ministry of TEATT.

PHILIPSBURG: --- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten has publicly addressed growing calls for her resignation following the recent verdict handed down by the Court of First Instance against her husband, Theodore Heyliger.

During a press briefing, Minister Heyliger-Marten was asked directly whether the demands for her resignation were justified, given that her husband’s legal issues were already known at the time of her vetting and appointment. SMN News also questioned whether the current controversy stemmed from the verdict itself or from “unpopular decisions” made during her tenure.

In response, Minister Heyliger-Marten emphasized that her appointment followed all legal and procedural requirements and that her husband’s circumstances had been fully disclosed during her vetting process.

“I was elected by the people of St. Maarten and subsequently appointed to serve following a comprehensive, legally mandated screening process,” she said. “At the time of my appointment, the circumstances surrounding my husband’s legal matters were well known and duly considered.”

The Minister reaffirmed her commitment to transparency and the rule of law while declining to comment directly on the ongoing legal proceedings.

“Out of respect for due process and the independence of the judiciary, I will not comment on any ongoing legal proceedings,” she stated. “However, I trust that the legal system will handle these matters fairly and professionally. It is important to note that the civil case in question will be appealed, and drawing conclusions or making assumptions at this stage would be premature.”

Heyliger-Marten maintained that she remains focused on carrying out her duties as Minister, stressing that her personal circumstances have not influenced her performance or integrity in office.

“I remain fully committed to fulfilling my mandate and continuing the work entrusted to me by the people and the government of St. Maarten,” she said. “My dedication to serving this country has never wavered, regardless of my personal circumstances.”

The Minister concluded by reiterating her intention to continue performing her responsibilities “with transparency, accountability, and service to the nation.”

The remarks came amid mounting public debate and political discussion following the court’s decision in her husband’s case. The issue has dominated local headlines and talk shows, with some calling for her resignation, while others defend her right to remain in office given that she underwent all required screening processes prior to her appointment.

Castries, Saint Lucia:---  The Member States of the Protocol of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) have issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over reports of increased military operations by external powers in the southern Caribbean Sea.

According to the declaration, OECS governments are alarmed by incidents involving the destruction of vessels allegedly linked to drug trafficking, which were reportedly carried out without interception or prior verification—actions the member states describe as violations of international law.

While reaffirming their commitment to regional and international cooperation in combating transnational crime, including narcotics trafficking, the OECS states underscored their equal dedication to maintaining the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace—a principle endorsed by Caribbean leaders and supported by the United Nations General Assembly.

“We are concerned that the intensification of military activities in and around the southern Caribbean risks heightening tensions and misunderstandings in a region whose stability and security are essential to the well-being of our peoples,” the statement read.

The OECS warned that uncoordinated military actions, undertaken without consultation or sufficient communication with regional partners, could lead to misunderstandings and wider conflict. Such developments, the statement continued, would undermine decades of careful diplomacy and peaceful coexistence across the Caribbean.

The governments also highlighted the potential socioeconomic impact of any escalation on the region’s small and vulnerable economies, noting that military tensions could reverse hard-won progress achieved over many decades.

In their declaration, the OECS Member States reaffirmed several key principles:

• Peace and dialogue must remain the foundations of regional and hemispheric relations.
• Respect for sovereignty and non-interference are vital to maintaining trust and stability.
• Collective security and cooperation are the most effective tools for combating organized crime and ensuring the safety of the Caribbean’s maritime space.

The OECS urged all international partners to engage in open dialogue with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the OECS before undertaking any actions that could alter the regional security balance.

“The Caribbean’s greatest strength has always been its unity, its diplomacy, and its steadfast commitment to resolving disputes by peaceful means,” the declaration concluded.

The statement reflects a unified regional stance emphasizing dialogue over confrontation, as the Caribbean seeks to preserve its long-standing status as a Zone of Peace amidst increasing global tensions.