-PHILIPSBURG:--- Once the pride of St. Maarten, TELEM Group is now the poster child for corporate incompetence, leadership treachery, and government abandonment. The national carrier’s tailspin is not the result of “market forces” or misfortune—it is a disgrace scripted by self-serving executives, a negligent board, and complacent politicians, with the brunt of the suffering forced onto the people of St. Maarten.
The epic decline of TELEM is pinned to two devastating chapters: 2016 and 2023. In 2016, then-CFO Helma Etnel presided over the first calamitous downsizing, hailed as “efficiency.” Instead, it sowed the seeds for the disaster that followed, leaving core issues unresolved and worker morale in tatters.
By 2023, things went from bad to catastrophic. Under the nose of former CEO Kendall Dupersoy and current CFO (and interim CEO) Randel Hato, TELEM unleashed a second round of reckless downsizing. In a gut-wrenching betrayal of loyalty and experience, 90 seasoned staff members were sent packing in the first wave, followed by 84 more in the next. These were not faceless numbers—these were the very St. Maarteners who carried TELEM for years, discarded without regard. In their place? A skeleton workforce hollowed out and utterly incapable of upholding even the most basic customer services.
The consequences of this carnage are everywhere. Calling TELEM today is a lesson in futility—there’s nobody left to answer the phones. Customers who dutifully pay their bills online are routinely disconnected because payments cannot be processed—a direct result of a billing system now in utter shambles. Emails go unread, complaints are ignored, and the “customer experience” is a cruel joke. Meanwhile, critical leadership roles vacated by locals are being quietly filled by individuals from Curaçao, handpicked by Hato himself. This blatant cronyism has locked St. Maarten’s own out of jobs and hope, even as the Board and government look the other way.
Government oversight, meanwhile, exists in name only. As TELEM bled out, desperate for financial rescue, St. Maarten’s government sat on its hands, ignoring pleas for support and blocking cash infusions that could have spurred modernization or even a lifeline for survival. Instead, the gates were thrown wide for outsiders like Starlink, all but guaranteeing TELEM’s irrelevance. This is not just carelessness, it is betrayal at the most basic level, showing utter disdain for the economic security and digital sovereignty of the island.
And what is left for St. Maarten? An economic anchor turned deadweight. Service quality has crashed through the floor, the workforce is devastated, and instead of a proud national telecom, the island is left with a mismanaged, hollowed-out embarrassment. Customers are punished, employees are abandoned, and faith in local leadership is destroyed.
This cannot—and must not—continue. Those responsible for the wholesale dismantling of TELEM’s legacy must be held to account. The government can no longer hide behind excuses or indifference. The cleanup of this catastrophe requires nothing short of a total overhaul—rooting out incompetence, restoring local leadership, rebuilding with integrity, and demanding performance over patronage.
St. Maarten deserves a telecom provider that delivers for its people and stands as a beacon of national pride—not a symbol of everything that has gone so wrong. The time for half measures is over. Real accountability, real reform, and real leadership are the only path forward. Anything less is permission for this disaster to repeat, and St. Maarten cannot bear another round of betrayal.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Richinel S.J. Brug, is encouraging the community to take simple, proactive steps to protect their health as flu season is underway.

The Minister emphasized that this message reinforces the importance of preventive healthcare practices that help reduce seasonal illness, strengthen the immune system, and support overall well-being.

“As we move through flu season, this is simply a reminder that prevention is always better than cure,” Minister Brug stated. “Small, consistent actions such as taking daily vitamins, staying hydrated, getting adequate rest, eating balanced meals, and actively working to raise our immune systems can make a meaningful difference.”

Minister Brug noted that, as a Caribbean country, Sint Maarten is fortunate to have access to natural remedies that have long been part of the region’s culture and traditions.

“We live in the Caribbean, where many natural resources are available to us,” he noted. “Local remedies such as ginger tea, ginger shots, turmeric, honey, lime, and other immune-supporting preparations have been used for generations. Incorporating these into our daily routines, alongside proper hygiene and medical guidance when necessary, can help strengthen our bodies during this time.”

The Minister also encouraged residents to maintain proper hand hygiene and stay home when feeling unwell.

 “Preventive health is a key pillar of our policy approach. When we take steps to strengthen our immune systems, we protect not only ourselves, but also our families and the most vulnerable members of our society.”

The Ministry of VSA continues to promote preventative healthcare as part of its broader public health strategy, recognizing that strong communities are built on informed, proactive choices.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina has extended warm congratulations to the Caribbean community following its powerful cultural representation during the Super Bowl halftime show, highlighting the global impact of Caribbean and Latin music and the significance of seeing the Sint Maarten flag displayed before one of the largest television audiences in the world.

Reflecting on the moment, Prime Minister Dr. Mercelina emphasized that the halftime show was more than entertainment.

“Beyond the excitement of the Super Bowl and the energy of the fans, the halftime show represented far more than music. It was a celebration of culture ranging from American, Latin, and the Caribbean, clearly demonstrating how art and identity can unite people across borders.”

The Prime Minister noted that the Sint Maarten flag's appearance held deep national significance and resonated strongly with citizens at home and abroad.
“It would be remiss not to acknowledge the display of our flag, a moment of tremendous pride for all of us. Seeing Sint Maarten represented in such a historic and widely viewed setting affirms that even small nations have a meaningful place on the global stage.”

Prime Minister Dr. Mercelina also reaffirmed the unifying power of music and culture in bringing people together across differences.

He added, “We also take pride in the fact that the countries of Aruba and Curaçao, as well as the islands of Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius, within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, were represented, highlighting the shared diversity and cultural richness of our wider Kingdom family.”

“Music transcends all boundaries. Regardless of who you are, who you love, or what you believe in, music has the power to unite us. That is the spirit of the Caribbean which is vibrant, resilient, and inclusive.”

In closing, the Prime Minister offered an inspiring message to Caribbean people everywhere, “let this moment remind us to be unapologetically who we are. Our cultures, our voices, and our stories matter. When we embrace them with confidence, we inspire the world.”

Prime Minister Dr. Mercelina encouraged Caribbean communities and artists to continue showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage on international platforms, strengthening pride and visibility for generations to come.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication, Grisha Heyliger-Marten, today applauded the island’s presence on one of the world’s largest entertainment stages following the Super Bowl halftime performance featuring Grammy Award-winning artist Bad Bunny.

A local dancer, known professionally as Jay Mills, participated in the historic performance, during which the St. Maarten flag was proudly waved before a global audience of millions.

“As Minister responsible for Tourism and the Economy, moments like these remind us that our people are among our greatest ambassadors,” the Minister stated. “Whenever we see our flag carried onto an international stage, we know that one of our own has made a conscious effort to ensure that St. Maarten is seen and heard. That is powerful.”

She continued, “This is not only a proud moment for our island, but also a proud personal milestone for every creative, dancer, and digital content creator who represents who we are, no matter where in the world they may be. Our Orange Economy thrives because of talent like this, talent that carries culture, identity, and visibility beyond our shores.”

While efforts are being made to congratulate the performer personally, the Minister extended public recognition, adding, “Congratulations to Jay Mills for this remarkable accomplishment and for proudly taking the representation of your island with you onto one of the world’s most televised stages.”