PHILIPSBURG:--- The Court of First Instance in Sint Maarten on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, sentenced three men to seven years imprisonment each for their roles in a violent armed robbery and attempted manslaughter at Little Europe jewelry store on Front Street on May 9, 2025.

The defendants, K.M., J.M., and M.Z.G.J., were prosecuted in absentia, as they had been deported to Trinidad earlier this year under a summons-and-laissez-passer arrangement. They were represented in court by their attorney.

According to the prosecution, the men entered Little Europe armed with a firearm. During the robbery, a shot was fired through a glass door at very close range toward the store owner. All three defendants were aware that a weapon would be used. One of them, J.M., was responsible for controlling the people inside the store while the others carried out the theft. Their actions showed a coordinated plan and shared intent to commit the crime.

Witness statements and evidence revealed that during the robbery, one of the suspects shouted to the shooter, “shoot him, shoot him,” after realizing that the owner locked them in the store. The OM argued that each suspect played an interchangeable role in the offense, making them all equally responsible for both the armed robbery and the attempted manslaughter of the store owner.

The Prosecutor’s Office requested identical sentences of seven years imprisonment for each suspect, emphasizing that violent group robberies with firearms demand a strong judicial response. The Court followed this demand in full.

In addition, the Court granted the victims’ civil claims. The store owner was awarded XCG 50,000 in immaterial damages, plus statutory interest and legal fees. Another victim was awarded XCG 20,000 under the same conditions. The Court ruled that the three defendants are jointly liable for these payments.

The robbery at Little Europe caused significant concern among the Philipsburg business community, especially given the use of a firearm in a busy shopping area popular with both residents and visitors. The incident underscored the dangers faced by business owners and the need for continued vigilance against violent crime.

The Prosecutor’s Office takes these types of crimes extremely seriously. The use of firearms during robberies endangers lives and undermines the sense of safety in our community. The sentences imposed reflect the gravity of the offenses and serve as a clear warning that such violence will not go unpunished.

The OM SXM remains committed to ensuring that serious violent crimes are prosecuted vigorously and that victims of such offenses receive justice and fair compensation.

The Caribbean Defence Force is launching a YouTube series that gives viewers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Initial Military Formation (EMV). In "The Road to Caribbean Soldiers," we follow recruits during their intensive training to become Caribbean soldiers.

The episodes show how the trainees are physically and mentally prepared for a career in the Defence Force. From the first day at the barracks to the final exercise, the series reveals what it really takes to become a Caribbean soldier.

This is the first series to follow the training of Caribbean soldiers so closely. With this series, the Defence Force aims to show what training for Caribbean soldiers entails and also to inspire young people to take the step towards a military career themselves.

The first episode airs on Thursday, October 16th at 10:00 a.m. on the Royal Netherlands Navy's YouTube channel. A new episode will then be released every Wednesday for nine weeks.

Caribbean Military

The Caribbean Military (CARMIL), divided into Aruban Military (ARUMIL) and Curaçao Military (CURMIL), are two operational units under the command of the Commander of the Navy in the Caribbean. These two company-sized Light Infantry units are fully deployable within the three main tasks of the Ministry of Defence in the Caribbean. As civil servants of the countries of Aruba and Curaçao, they are seconded to CZMCARIB.

Interested in working as a Caribbean soldier? You can register until the end of December 2025 via werkenbijdefensie.nl/caribischmilitair.

PHILIPSBURG;---  In a continued effort to strengthen the transparency, accountability, and long-term sustainability of the Social & Health Insurances (SZV), Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA), Richinel Brug, has outlined a clear set of directives and reforms to guide the institution into a new phase of responsible governance. The recently appointed Adjunct Director, Mr. Felisie, who will serve as Temporary Director as of October 15, 2025, has been formally instructed to carry out several key assignments aimed at improving financial oversight, strengthening strategic planning, and rebuilding public trust in SZV.

Among the immediate priorities:

Mr. Felisie has been instructed in accordance with Article 21, Subsection 8 of the SZV Ordinance, to conduct an independent financial assessment with the aim of providing a clear and objective overview of SZV’s current financial position. This report will be submitted in accordance with the law to Parliament. “Records show that the last time this legal requirement was fulfilled was under Minister Emil Lee,” Minister Brug noted. To ensure proper oversight and value for money, all ongoing and planned capital projects under SZV’s responsibility will undergo a full technical assessment. These include, but are not limited to: the construction of the new General Hospital, any proposal for financing through SZV & the proposed SZV headquarters.

“As Minister of VSA, I will not succumb to pressures to approve the construction of a new SZV building that is multiple times above market value,” said Minister Brug. “We must act responsibly with public funds.” The Temporary Director has also been instructed to present a 3- to 6-month financial plan that identifies cost-cutting measures and efficiency strategies to safeguard SZV’s service delivery in the short term. With major legislative reforms such as the 1B law, the Health Levy, and the General Health Insurance not expected to take effect before January 1, 2027, the Ministry and SZV are actively exploring interim solutions to manage this transition responsibly. These include: Identifying additional cost-saving mechanisms, exploring revenue-generating opportunities, and engaging in strategic dialogue with relevant financial stakeholders. 

“The people of Sint Maarten — SZV staff, our workers, our seniors, and our families — rely on SZV for vital services, from healthcare to pensions,” said Minister Brug. “That responsibility is not taken lightly. These steps are about ensuring SZV is stable, transparent, and positioned to meet the needs of the population both today and tomorrow.” “As Minister, I remain committed to good governance, accountability, and long-term planning. We are not only looking at the present; we are laying the groundwork for the future of social protection on Sint Maarten.”

MARIGOT:--- The Collectivity of Saint-Martin has issued a detailed statement addressing recent media coverage regarding the handling of sargassum seaweed along the island's northern coastline, particularly at Orient Bay Beach.

Record Volumes Challenge Collection Efforts

According to the Wednesday press release, this year has seen exceptionally large volumes of sargassum seaweed washing ashore on the northern section of Orient Bay Beach. The frequency of these strandings has significantly exceeded the authorities' capacity for collection and evacuation to the Grandes Cayes eco-site.

Access restrictions to Orient Bay Beach further complicated the situation. The Collectivity reported being unable to secure necessary permissions to use passages through private properties, citing legitimate concerns that repeated heavy truck traffic could compromise underground utility networks on these parcels.

Alternative Storage and Treatment Methods

In response to these challenges, Saint-Martin authorities identified a temporary storage site for the sargassum seaweed, positioned at a safe distance from residential areas. The treatment of these accumulated volumes is currently underway using newly established protocols.

Officials noted that successive operations involving collection, transport, handling, and rerouting have significantly increased the sand content mixed with the sargassum. To address dual concerns about coastal erosion and treatment costs calculated per ton, authorities decided to implement a controlled immersion process in nearby coastal waters to separate the sand before transferring the seaweed to the Grandes Cayes facility.

Environmental Considerations and Coordination

The Collectivity acknowledged that this immersion process contributes organic matter and creates a brown plume in the water. Following consultations with the Saint-Martin Nature Reserve, officials agreed to adjust the frequency of these operations to minimize potential impacts on nearby coastal environments.

The statement emphasized that all sargassum removal and treatment operations initiated by the Collectivity of Saint-Martin have been analyzed, coordinated, and scheduled in partnership with relevant agencies, with the territory's and residents' best interests in mind.

Ongoing Environmental Challenge

Sargassum seaweed has become an increasingly problematic issue for Caribbean islands in recent years, with massive blooms affecting tourism, fishing, and coastal ecosystems. Brown algae can produce hydrogen sulfide gas during decomposition, posing health concerns and creating unpleasant odors for coastal communities.

Saint-Martin's approach reflects the complex balance authorities must strike between efficient removal, environmental protection, and cost management when dealing with this recurring natural phenomenon.

The Collectivity of Saint-Martin continues to work with environmental partners to refine sargassum management strategies as the island faces ongoing challenges posed by these seasonal seaweed influxes.