PHILIPSBURG:--- The General Audit Chamber submitted its latest report to Parliament entitled "ClimateScanner: an Assessment of St. Maarten’s Climate Response." This assessment uses the international ClimateScanner methodology, developed by INTOSAI, (the international umbrella organization of Audit Institutions), to evaluate the government’s approach to climate governance, policy, and financing. To date, over 140 countries have committed to conducting the ClimateScanner assessment.

The findings indicate that although St. Maarten acknowledges the importance of climate action through initiatives such as the National Development Vision 2020–2030 and its commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), implementation remains fragmented and lacks cohesion. The absence of a dedicated legal framework and coordinating authority hinders the consistent execution of climate measures across ministries.

Unlike some Caribbean peers, St. Maarten is not a party to the Paris Accord. Since 2015, there has been no structural allocation in the national budget for climate initiatives, nor are there incentives to stimulate private sector investment in sustainability.

The Audit Chamber recognizes the efforts within the Ministry of VROMI and the report mentions that current efforts, such as the Wastewater Management Project and participation in the International Panel on Deltas and Coastal Areas, show promise, but are insufficient in the absence of integrated planning, monitoring, and financing.

The General Audit Chamber recommends the development of a national climate law, establishment of a coordinating institution, and structural financing mechanisms. These steps are necessary to enable long-term climate resilience and meet international standards.

The full report is available in English and Dutch on the website of the General Audit Chamber (www.arsxm.org).

~Three armed robbers were captured in the Dutch Quarter area by police.~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) has arrested several suspects in connection with an armed robbery that took place on the afternoon of Friday, May 9, 2025, at a jewelry store located at the end of Front Street near Emma Plein.

At approximately 2:00 PM, Central Dispatch received multiple calls reporting an ongoing robbery. Preliminary investigation revealed that several men, dressed in dark clothing and armed with firearms, entered the establishment, destroyed several display cases, and made off with an unknown quantity of jewelry. The suspects then fled the scene in a small vehicle heading toward the Sucker Garden area.

Officers in the vicinity responded immediately and located the fleeing vehicle on Sucker Garden Road. A pursuit ensued, leading officers into the Dutch Quarter area.

Following an intensive search operation in the neighborhood, several individuals suspected to be involved in the robbery were apprehended and taken into custody

All suspects are currently being held at the Philipsburg Police Station as the investigation continues. Detectives are working to verify their identities and determine the full extent of their involvement in the crime.

KPSM commends the swift response and coordinated efforts of the officers involved. Anyone with additional information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact the police at +1 721 542-2222 or call the anonymous tip line at 9300.

KPSM Press Release.

For the first time, Dutch marines are training together with Colombian colleagues on Colombian soil.
The joint military exercise in Turbo lasts three weeks and focuses on strengthening bilateral cooperation and exchanging operational knowledge and experience.
Various scenarios are trained during the exercise, including river operations, amphibious operations and coastal operations.
These are crucial skills within the Marine domain. By training together in the challenging training areas of Colombia, the units increase their deployability under various circumstances. In addition to the Marines, support ship HNLMS Pelikaan also participates in the exercise. For example, she participates in maritime exercises at sea and provides transport for the equipment and the units.

“This training offers a unique opportunity to learn from each other,” says Major Rik, commander of the Marine Squadron Carib.
“We combine our knowledge, improve each other’s skills and build mutual trust.”
The Colombian side is also positive about the cooperation and the exercise.

The exercise is a concrete step in the military partnership between the Netherlands and Colombia. A valuable step in the cooperation in the field of security, training and operational readiness. This ensures the delivery of peace and security in the Caribbean Region.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Parliament convened for an urgent public meeting on May 8th, 2025, to address ongoing delays in the ratification and publication of the 2025 national budget. Highlighting frustrations over stalled processes, Members of Parliament (MPs) raised sharp questions about the technical challenges tied to amendments and the implications for government operations.

MPs call out delays and accountability issues.

MPs expressed significant discontent with the prolonged delay in finalizing the 2025 budget, initially requested as an urgent matter back in February. MP Darryl York pointed out that an "urgent meeting called in February was only taking place in May," while MP  Egbert Jurendy Doran criticized the lack of accountability in handling Parliament’s concerns. Multiple MPs lamented that repeated letters to the Minister of Finance went unanswered, leading to growing frustration.

MP Doran, who is vocal about budget management, inquired whether the government’s current financial disbursements aligned with existing legal frameworks. Given the administrative bottlenecks, he also sought clarity on the handling of upcoming financial commitments, such as civil servants’ jubilee payments and vacation allowances.

Meanwhile, MP Ardwell Irion highlighted discrepancies in budget management for cultural events such as the Soul Beach Festival and the Carnival. He questioned whether payments for these events adhered to proper budget classifications and legal protocols. He also urged the government to address revenue-generating measures for sustainable financial planning, which remain unaddressed despite earlier pledges.

Growing Frustration Over Amendment Process

The discussion also unearthed deep concerns regarding the amendment process. MPs York and Lacroes questioned why the amendments, which triggered the delay, were not identified as problematic earlier. "How did it take six months to resolve issues tied to just seven amendments?" MP York asked.

MP Lacroes emphasized the importance of addressing errors in the budget’s numerical details, warning that submitting the same budget without corrections could lead to further delays in approval. Similarly, MP Omar Ottley cautioned against overconfidence in rushing through a flawed budget, asserting, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”

Strains on Public Trust

Several MPs underscored a breakdown in communication between Parliament and the Ministry of Finance as a key issue. MP Ottley expressed dismay at the growing perception that parliamentary authority over the budget had been undermined, citing a lack of timely responses from the ministry. He called for greater respect for Parliament’s oversight role, urging collaborative and transparent action moving forward.

“There is no room for delay when it comes to ensuring that financial commitments to public servants, vendors, and vital programs are honored,” MP Ludmilla De Weaver stated, summarizing much of the sentiment shared across Parliament.

The meeting concluded with calls from the Minister of Finance to provide a detailed explanation of government finances and a clear roadmap for addressing the pending budget issues. While frustrations ran high, MPs signaled a cautious openness to supporting a revised budget if sufficient improvements were made.