Willemstad:--- During a military ceremony on Monday morning, June 30, 2025, Company Rotation 48 handed over its tasks to the next unit, Rotation 49. The new commander, Major Marco Kamphorst from Havelte, assumed command from his predecessor, Lieutenant Colonel Kjell Koster, during a traditional paddle transfer ceremony.

After four intensive months in the Caribbean, Lieutenant Colonel Koster looks back with pride on the collaboration and training of Engineer Company 11. “For the unit, it was a unique opportunity to train in this tropical climate and to work together with CZMCARIB and local partners. We learned a lot about operating in the challenging conditions of the Caribbean. During our rotation, we were able to work on our engineering, technical, and tactical skills to the maximum. Curacao, Bonaire, and Aruba gave the Engineering platoons the opportunity to lay a good foundation for general military skills, but also for specialist subjects such as Airfield Damage Repair, working with explosives and performing engineering techniques in the context of mobility and counter-mobility. In addition to that, we could work on our own readiness. We also worked together and trained with the Curacao military, units of CZMCARIB, and local security partners. For example, the military of the 11th Engineering Company provided assistance on Sint Maarten following the fire in the prison. They did this in cooperation with the local authorities on Sint Maarten and the Marine detachment on Sint Maarten. It was special to see how, despite differences in background and working methods, together we could contribute to security and stability. This period has not only strengthened our operational capability, but also the ties with our partners in the Caribbean.”

Major Marco is looking forward to training and working in the Caribbean area with his unit, Brigade Reconnaissance Squadron 43 (BVE), for the next 4 months. The unit has been reinforced with an engineer reconnaissance platoon from Armored Engineer Battalion 11 and a medical detachment from Medical Company 43. Brigade Reconnaissance Squadron 43 is multifunctionally deployable within the three main tasks of the armed forces, performs reconnaissance and surveillance tasks worldwide, and can eliminate enemy High Payoff Targets by means of Ground-based Firesupport. They do this with ground-based reconnaissance capacity, both mounted and on foot, but also make frequent use of unmanned systems and drones. Normally they do this for Mechanized Brigade 43 (Brigade Combat Team) from Havelte. Now the reconnaissance squadron gets the chance and the opportunity to conduct their tasks in the Caribbean area. Firstly, because they bring unique capabilities and resources that can be of great value if their help or assistance is requested in the region. Secondly, it is a unique opportunity for them to be able to train and experiment in the tropical climate of the Caribbean. Major Marco expects that they will have a remarkably interesting period ahead of them and hopes that we can make it a beautiful and meaningful time together with our local partners.

The Royal Netherlands Army has permanent company in the Caribbean. This unit, under the command of CZMCARIB, can be deployed for a variety of tasks. The company will train in Aruba, Bonaire as well as in Curaçao for the next four months.

PHILIPSBURG:--- It is both disappointing and disingenuous to see Mr. Cecil Nicholas, now Deputy Leader of SAM, publicly criticizing efforts to provide relief to the displaced market vendors when he himself played a central role in creating this very problem.

Let us not forget: Mr. Nicholas served as Chief of Staff to the then Minister of TEATT, appointed by the USP. It was under their party and his leadership that the market vendors were forcibly removed in 2017 in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, an action instigated and overseen by the very ministry he managed. That decision left vendors displaced for years with no clear plan or urgency for reconstruction.

In fact, the Ombudsman’s 2021 report revealed that:

Only 3 out of 27 kiosks were beyond repair, meaning most could have been restored. The same kiosks are still in use today in many areas, including the “VROMI Yard” in perfect condition.

The decision to remove all vendors was made without proper consultation.

Vendors were left in limbo for years, with no clear or timely relocation plan from the government. These are not the opinions of opposition Members of Parliament; they are the official findings of the independent Ombudsman, which directly contradict Mr. Nicholas’s attempt to rewrite history.

In late 2023, the final plans were approved by the previous administration, and groundbreaking was set for June of 2024. With the installation of the Mercelina Cabinet, in which Mr. Nicolas forms part as Chief of Staff of another Ministry, the current coalition government decided to scrap the old plans, leaving the vendors in even more disarray.

After one year of constant pressure from the vendors, parliament, and society as a whole, the current government decided last week to revert to the plans that were signed and approved by the then Minister Doran.

Now, years later, Mr. Nicholas seeks to deflect responsibility by attacking Members of Parliament who are taking real steps to correct the damage caused by the TEATT ministry he served. The motion to support the vendors is not a political stunt; it is an overdue act of justice for hardworking people whose livelihoods were cast aside.

Rather than offering hollow lectures on “responsible governance,” Mr. Nicholas should acknowledge the role he played in dismantling the market without providing an adequate solution. Leadership means taking responsibility, not rewriting history to suit political convenience.

Let us focus on solutions, not scapegoating.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Parliament of Sint Maarten hereby informs the public that its offices will close at 12:00 PM on Monday, June 30, 2025, to facilitate preparations for its event in observance of International Day of Parliamentarism.

Normal office operations will resume on the next working day, Wednesday, July 2, 2025.

The Parliament of Sint Maarten appreciates the understanding and cooperation of the public in this.

For more information, please contact the Secretariat of Parliament at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (721) 542-0812.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Upon the initiative of the President of Parliament, Hon. Mrs. Sarah Wescot-Williams, a meeting with the President of the Parliament of Aruba, Hon. Mr. Alfred Marlon Sneek, and the President of the Parliament of Curaçao, Hon. Mr. Fergino Brownbill, will take place on Monday, June 30, 2025.

The meeting aims to strengthen the longstanding ties among the three Caribbean countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. This gathering comes at an important time following recent elections in all three countries and the ongoing developments in the Netherlands, the region and the world.

During the meeting, the Presidents will engage in discussions on topics of mutual interest, such as regional cooperation, the Dispute Regulation, as well as cooperation at the committee level between the three Parliaments.