PHILIPSBURG:--- On 22 April 2025, the Opening of a new exhibition at the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden Leiden took place, with the presence of Queen Maxima and representatives from all of the Dutch islands in the Caribbean. The theme of this exhibition was ’25 years of Archaeology in the Kingdom’ and although primarily regarding Netherlands sites, it also included a variety of archaeological evidence from the Dutch Caribbean islands. For each island, a specific representative site was selected for exhibition. For St. Maarten, it was the ZOUTSTEEG THREE, a group of three, first-generation enslaved Africans, excavated in 2010 by SIMARC archaeologist Dr. Jay Haviser, who was there for the presentation. The Zoutsteeg Three became internationally famous in 2015, being identified as one of the Top-Ten archaeological discoveries by Archaeology Magazine. The basis of this top-ten status, was innovative genetics research on these skeletons, by the University of Copenhagen, that produced, for the very first time, a whole genome reconstruction (maternal and paternal), of tropical-ancient samples, and combined that data with a Strontium isotope analysis, to identify the exact birth location of these three Africans, in Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon. In 2015, this was the first time such precise origins identification had been identified for enslaved Africans in the Caribbean.

All three of the Zoutsteeg Africans had all of their incisor teeth intentionally modified into sharp points, a painful and rebellious act, which is a common aesthetic tradition in Africa, that was dramatically stopped in the Caribbean colonies, and is an indicator of first-generation enslaved Africans. Dr Haviser gave the Zoutsteeg Three presentation at the Opening, along with colleagues from Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, Saba, and Statia, speaking for their islands. This Rijksmuseum exhibition will remain open until September of this year.

There were several strong key points made in Haviser’s lecture, including; the need to confront Hard Truths in heritage; the need for a memorial plaque/statue at the site; as well as, the responsibility to eventually re-bury these human remains, and it was proposed to establish an international cooperation program with those African countries from which these remains come, to have an intercontinental repatriation of the remains for reburial in their homelands of West Africa.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Public safety remains a top priority for the Ministry of Justice, especially during the 2025 Carnival season. To expand our efforts in safeguarding the community and all those participating in Carnival events, the Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM), in collaboration with the Public Prosecutor’s Office (OM), will implement preventive search operations throughout the Carnival period. Starting Friday, April 25, 2025, preventive searches will be conducted in 12-hour intervals beginning at 6:00 PM, continuing daily through May 6, 2025. These operations will occur at designated locations, where law enforcement officials are authorized to search individuals, inspect vehicles, and check bags for firearms, under the authority of the Firearms Ordinance. The designated search areas include, but are not limited to: ● W.J.A. Nisbeth Road, starting from the China Plaza area ● The entirety of Soualiga Road ● The Festival Village and its immediate surroundings Enhanced security will also be enforced along the route of the J’ouvert Jump-Up, scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 4:00 AM. This measure is being taken in response to the continued presence of illegal firearms on the island and following recent analyses of armed robberies and incidents of firearm-related violence during previous Carnival periods. As Minister of Justice, I will not compromise when it comes to protecting our people. These preventive measures are about ensuring that every person, every family, and every visitor can enjoy Carnival without fear. Security is not optional; it is essential.” ~ Minister Nathalie M. Tackling The Ministry of Justice acknowledges that preventive searches infringe on individuals' privacy. However, this action is deemed a necessary and proportionate step to maintain public order and to ensure the safety and security of all participants and visitors during Carnival. Transparency and prevention are fundamental principles guiding this initiative. By informing the public beforehand, we aim to deter the possession and use of illegal weapons while reinforcing public trust and cooperation. Minister Nathalie M. Tackling urges the public to prioritize safety during J’ouvert and throughout the Carnival season, and thanks the community for their cooperation in upholding public order and ensuring that the 2025 Carnival celebrations remain safe and enjoyable.

~ Sint Maarten Among 10 Consulates to Receive Biometric Kit ~

 SAUNDERS, St. Maarten:---  After months of delay, citizens of Guyana living outside their homeland will soon be able to receive their new passports, and the Sint Maarten Consulate is among 10 of 29 in the diaspora to receive the first set of biometric kits.

This announcement was made on Wednesday during a virtual meeting of the Heads of Missions and Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper, and the Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, Senior Superintendent Stephen Telford.

The delay stemmed from a change of systems at the Central Passport and Immigration Office in Georgetown, which now requires all applicants to submit their biometrics before the travel document can be processed. Unfortunately, the system was implemented before Guyana Embassies and Consulates worldwide were equipped with the necessary equipment. This caused a four—to five-month delay if persons were unable to travel to Guyana.

As a result, close to 100 persons residing on Sint Maarten are currently affected by the delay and have been unable to proceed with processing immigration and other documents or travelling.

“We all are facing the brunt of it. No one, in my humble view, is responsible for what is happening…I think our service provider would have put us in this situation,” stated Telford. He assured all Heads of Mission that he has in excess of 200,000 passport books, but the issue is having the equipment at the various consulates to do the interface needed, after which the passports can be printed.

Telford said there are only 10 kits at the moment, which comprise a computer monitor and CPU, a camera and tripod, a biometric reader system, a fingerprint/signature pad, and a passport scanner. As of Tuesday, the complete kits arrived in Guyana and were programmed to link the Consulates in the diaspora with the system in Guyana. That programming was expected to be completed by the end of last Wednesday.

Each Head of Mission will be required to coordinate the intake of applicants and will be responsible for the accuracy of the information. The system will have three roles - acceptance, biometrics and issuance. All applicants will be required to submit fingerprints and have their photographs taken. No longer will forms be required, as once the information goes into the system, the passport can be printed in Guyana. Thereafter, the travel document will be posted out. All applicants are required to use their fingerprint to uplift their document.

“The reality is that nobody can collect anybody’s passport…If anybody comes and puts their fingerprint for somebody else’s passport, the system will not accept it,” the DCIO stated. This raised a number of concerns in the meeting, as several consuls indicated that it may be cost-prohibitive for persons to travel to the nearest Consulate (for example, persons who live in Curacao, but may have to travel to Sint Maarten or St. Kitts). Both Ambassador Harper and DCIO Telford said they will revisit this requirement, as, from an operational standpoint, they will try to see how best to serve the citizens of Guyana.

In the meantime, however, persons must uplift their new passports at the same office where the application was made.

Telford said he appreciates the quality of the new passport as there is a high level of security features. “If any person makes any attempt to tamper with the passport, the passport will become ineffective because of the computerised system and the connectivity with everything,” he stated.

According to the Immigration Chief, the locations to receive the initial kits are Antigua and Barbuda, Brussels (Belgium), Barbados, Toronto (Canada), London (England), New York and Washington DC (USA), Sint Maarten, Paramaribo (Suriname), and Trinidad and Tobago.

In order to ensure a smooth transition, Telford said efforts are being made to send immigration officers to the above-listed locations to guide the process for the first few days. Telford said he and his staff are prepared to work beyond the call of duty to alleviate the backlog of applications, as there are currently more than 4,000 passport applications pending from around the world.

He said that starting last Wednesday, they have begun inputting all passport application forms at the Passport Office in Georgetown. This is the first phase. Once the immigration officer lands with the kit, he/she will commence the second phase, which is to go through the biometric process of the applicants. “Once that is done, I will print the passport immediately. My staff is prepared to work into the evenings at your end and in Georgetown here to push the backlog of passports out in the shortest possible time…so that it can be sent to your end for issuing,” Telford told the consuls.

Moving forward, children under the age of ten will not sign passports. Previously, children aged eight and up were required to sign. A new feature will see the photograph and name of one parent printed opposite the child’s biodata page. It does not matter whether or not that parent holds Guyanese nationality.

Guyanese nationals landing at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri or at the Eugene F. Corriea International Airport at Ogle will have an ease of entry at the E-gates using the new passport. Those using the old passports, which will phase out by 2027, will not be able to use the E-gates and must be processed by an immigration officer.

“The system is such that…we have tested it and it took 11 seconds for someone to clear that process,” Telford stated.

Guyana’s Honorary Consul, Kim Lucas-Felix said once the system has been installed, she will begin scheduling pending applicants to visit the Consulate in Saunders to take their biometrics, so that all outstanding passports can be printed.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM), in collaboration with the Public Prosecutor’s Office (OM), will conduct preventive search operations during the 2025 Carnival season.

Beginning Friday, April 25, 2025, preventive searches will be carried out in 12-hour intervals starting at 6:00 PM, and will continue daily until May 6, 2025. These operations will take place at designated locations, where police officers will be authorized to search individuals, inspect vehicles, and check bags for firearms. This authority is granted under the Firearms Ordinance.

The designated search areas include, but are not limited to:

• J.A. Nisbeth Road, starting from the China Plaza area

• The entirety of Sualouiga Road

• The Festival Village and its immediate surroundings

Additional key public spaces and access routes connected to Carnival activities

Enhanced security will also be enforced along the route of the J’ouvert Jump-Up, which begins on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 4:00 AM.

This measure is being implemented due to the ongoing issue of illegal firearms on the island and in response to recent analyses regarding the number of armed robberies and incidents of (firearm-related) violence in the period leading up to and during past Carnival celebrations.

KPSM and the Public Prosecutor’s Office are fully aware that this measure constitutes an infringement on the privacy of citizens and visitors alike. However, it is considered a necessary and proportional step to ensure public order and the safety of all during the Carnival festivities, allowing everyone to enjoy a secure and festive celebration.

Equally important are the principles of transparency and prevention, which underpin this initiative. By informing the public in advance and acting openly, the authorities aim to deter the possession and use of illegal weapons. These proactive efforts contribute to the broader objective of general safety and community trust, which are essential during large public events such as Carnival.

The public is kindly asked for their understanding and cooperation with these security measures. Together, we can ensure a safe and enjoyable Carnival for all.