PHILIPSBURG:---  Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina opened Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing by extending warm congratulations to the people of Sint Maarten on the successful celebration of St. Maarten Day, held on November 11, 2025.
“Once more, I would like to congratulate the people of Sint Maarten on this very important national day,” the Prime Minister said. “Yesterday demonstrated our unity as a country. We need that unity to confront the future and its challenges.”
Dr. Mercelina praised the spirit of collaboration and mutual respect displayed during the festivities, noting that St. Maarten Day continues to symbolize solidarity between the southern Dutch side and northern French side of the island.
“The people of Sint Maarten showed once more that they are a people of unity, and especially unity with our northern neighbours on the French side,” he said. “We look forward to continuing to live in a peaceful country in unity.”

Unity as the Foundation for National Progress
The Prime Minister underscored that national unity remains central to his government’s vision for progress and resilience. He reminded citizens that the challenges ahead — from economic recovery to social development — require continued cooperation across communities and political lines.
“A day like yesterday once more demonstrates our unity. And we need our unity to confront the future with its challenges,” he said.
Dr. Mercelina ended his remarks by expressing pride in the people of Sint Maarten for their commitment to harmony and progress, adding that unity remains the strongest foundation for the country’s continued growth.

PHILIPSBURG: --- The Kingdom of the Netherlands will maintain a position of neutrality regarding the escalating geopolitical tensions between the United States and Venezuela, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina has confirmed. The decision reflects a unified agreement among the Caribbean countries within the Kingdom—St. Maarten, Aruba, and Curaçao—to prioritize peace and stability in the region.
Following recent discussions, Prime Minister Mercelina announced the collective decision to adopt a neutral stance. This policy ensures that the Dutch Caribbean territories will not be involved in any potential actions led by the United States directed at Venezuela.
“We agreed in the Kingdom that we will have a very neutral stance concerning the developments between the United States and Venezuela,” Prime Minister Mercelina stated firmly. He underscored the region's commitment to maintaining its peaceful status.
“We are a peaceful area in the Caribbean, and we want to remain with that peace in our vicinity," Mercelina explained. "We will not participate in any action from the United States toward Venezuela.”
This declaration highlights the Kingdom's strategic focus on safeguarding the interests of its Caribbean partners. By reaffirming its neutrality, the government aims to distance the islands from international conflicts and reinforce its role as a stabilizing presence in the Caribbean. The Prime Minister’s comments make it clear that the primary objective is to preserve the tranquility and security that are vital to the well-being and economic stability of St. Maarten, Aruba, and Curaçao.

PHILIPSBURG:--- During Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing (November 12, 2025), Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina provided updates on his recent meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, focusing on humanitarian aid to Jamaica and the Kingdom’s position on Caribbean regional tensions.
Kingdom Extends Support to Jamaica After Hurricane Devastation
Prime Minister Mercelina shared that, following the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Irma’s recent passage over Jamaica, he had requested that the Kingdom of the Netherlands assist Jamaica in its recovery efforts.
“Seeing the aftermath of the destruction, and realizing that we have a great Jamaican diaspora here in St. Martin, I requested the Minister of Foreign Affairs for us as a Kingdom to do our part in assisting Jamaica,” he said.
Mercelina confirmed that the Royal Netherlands Navy ship Pelican arrived in Jamaica on November 4, 2025, carrying humanitarian aid, including food, medicine, and other essential supplies.
“The warship Pelican arrived in Jamaica delivering a lot of goods, and after delivering the first batch, it left again for Barbados to refill and return to assist the people of Jamaica,” Mercelina explained.
He praised the collaborative effort, noting that the mission was coordinated with the Prime Ministers of Curaçao and Aruba, who also participated in the virtual meeting with the Dutch Foreign Minister.
“I’m very thankful to the whole Kingdom for their contribution to Jamaica, realizing that the Jamaicans living here in St. Martin form part of our nation,” he added.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister reiterated his belief that immigrant workers are vital to St. Maarten’s social and economic development.
“Immigrants are a great contributor to the society of St. Maarten on all levels,” he said.
“They contribute to the labor sector and also in the economy by living and spending here.”
Mercelina acknowledged challenges in immigration management, citing limited border control capacity and complex administrative systems. He emphasized that better organization and coordination between immigration and labor enforcement are key to ensuring that workers—particularly in construction—are not exploited.
“I am against the fact that there are still groups of workers being misused—working and not being paid,” he stated.
“That is because the system is not well organized. We have to organize immigration and labor regulation properly.”

Possible Future Legalization Program
When asked whether the government would consider a new Brooks Tower Accord-style legalization process for undocumented residents, the Prime Minister said the idea has been discussed in the Council of Ministers.
“I’m not against it,” he said, “but we must first organize our immigration system, so we don’t have to repeat the process every few years.”
He stressed that if such a program is introduced, it must be accompanied by a solid legal and control framework to ensure long-term stability.

Addressing Structural Challenges
Mercelina also acknowledged structural inconsistencies that make it difficult for undocumented workers to become legal, even when they attempt to register and pay taxes.
“That is the challenging framework that I’m talking about,” he said.
“To obey the law, you need people who can execute and enforce it. We do not have enough personnel to give follow-up to the law, and that’s a challenge we must solve.
Despite the complexity, the Prime Minister ended on a note of optimism:
“We have a lot of problems, but we will get there one day with this country—believe me.”