WILLEMSTAD:---  In a dramatic turn of events, Curacao’s Finance Minister Javier Silvania has submitted his resignation, officially stepping down from the ministerial post amid a long-running conflict within the Tax Office. Simultaneously, he has reclaimed a seat in Parliament, allowing him to remain politically active while distancing himself from executive responsibilities.

Conflict at the Tax Office & Internal Deadlock

According to reports, Silvania’s resignation is deeply connected to a dispute with the head of the Tax Receiver’s Office, Alfonso Trona. Silvania had been pushing for firings of senior civil servants implicated in alleged mismanagement or obstruction but was unable to secure support from his fellow ministers.

The tension came to a head following a leaked audio recording of a meeting between Silvania and Trona, in which both parties exchanged accusations and sharp language. Opposition parties and unions have since condemned Silvania’s conduct, calling it unacceptable for a senior minister.

In parliament, the matter has been taken up by opposition parties PNP, PAR, and MAN-PIN, who secured a public hearing to summon both Silvania and Trona for clarification.

Return to Parliament, but Political Stakes Elevated

Silvania’s return to Parliament was made possible by the resignation of MFK MP Tyron Boekhoudt, who vacated his seat to make space.

While no longer a minister, Silvania retains influence and will be able to follow developments from within the legislature—particularly in relation to the investigation into Trona’s conduct and the broader tax administration issues.

Observers warn that his departure from the executive branch removes a vocal and visible actor in the Pisas administration, potentially destabilizing the already fragile balance within the ruling Movementu Futuro Korsou (MFK) party.

Broader Fallout: Gaming Regulator Shockwaves

Silvania’s troubles coincide with upheaval in Curacao’s gambling oversight architecture. The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA)—which falls under the Finance Ministry—was shaken when its entire supervisory board resigned in mid-September.

Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas has reportedly stepped in to assume direct oversight of the regulator, fueling speculation that Silvania’s influence over gaming regulation is being curtailed.

Yet, confusion remains. Some sources say the CGA has pushed back, insisting that oversight responsibility has been shifted from Finance to the Ministry of Justice via a formal August order, rather than to the Prime Minister’s office

If true, the ministerial reorganization aimed to align the regulator with a department better suited for supervision, compliance, and anti‐illicit activity enforcement.

Regardless, the timing of the resignations and portfolio shifts has raised questions about whether the turbulence is entirely administrative — or a political rebalancing to contain Silvania’s reach.

What Happens Next?

Friday’s scheduled parliamentary session promises a tense showdown. Silvania, Trona, and Prime Minister Pisas will be called to answer the public conflict.

Opposition leader Quincy Girigorie (PAR) has already demanded a criminal investigation into Silvania’s conduct, arguing that the matter has crossed from internal government dispute into potential abuse of power

Meanwhile, public sector unions have joined the chorus of criticism, denouncing what they describe as a long-running pattern of disrespect by the finance minister toward civil servants.

At the same time, the CGA is in limbo without a functioning supervisory board, potentially disrupting governance in the lucrative gambling sector, which is a key pillar of Curacao’s economy and reputation.

Analysts are now watching closely whether the MFK party will rally around Silvania or pivot to preserve government stability — and whether the Pisas cabinet itself is at risk.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The House of Parliament will sit in a Public meeting on October 16, 2025.  

The Public meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 16.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of Finance will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:

Question hour: Questions from MP D.T.J. York directed to the Minister of Finance regarding oversight of TelEm and management accountability (IS/120/2025-2026 dated October 1, 2025) 

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg. 

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament 

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Labor Relations Team of the Division of Labor Affairs and Social Services will host its first-ever Labor Relations Panel Discussion in 2025 titled “Shaping Labor Relations in Sint Maarten; introducing the role and responsibilities of key stakeholders”. The event aims to strengthen dialogue between workers, employers, and key stakeholders on pressing labor issues in Sint Maarten.

Labor relations as defined by the ILO is about how employers and workers cooperate, negotiate, and resolve conflicts both at the workplace and at national levels – with the goal of ensuring fair treatment, productivity, and societal peace.

Labor Relations encapsulates:

• Collective bargaining
• Social Dialogue
• Dispute Prevention and Resolution
• Representation and Participation

The island’s growth, tourism driven economy and small labor market means that strong relationships between labor employers and government are essential for stability and economic growth. Continued discussions on labor reform, especially considering the country packages, social dialogue and workforce protection, highlight the shared goal of a fair and transparent labor system that balances rights, responsibilities, and resilience.

This panel discussion will help identify how the roles intersect, where collaboration can be strengthened and how each stakeholder contributes to fair, effective and forward-looking labor relations on the island.

The panel will introduce key organizations and professionals shaping labor relations. Highlight roles and responsibilities in fostering fair and balanced workplaces. Promote improved communication and collaboration between institutions, unions, employers, and employees. Build awareness of labor rights and obligations. Encourage stakeholders to strengthen labor relations.

Program Themes

The panel, theme “Shaping Labor Relations in Sint Maarten: Introducing the Role and Responsibilities of Key Stakeholders,” will focus on:

• Strategies to resolve workplace conflict and improve communication.
• Promoting inclusion, equity and addressing the challenges faced by marginalized groups
• Ensuring safe and secure working conditions, job security and understanding the role of government regulation.

Theme focused questions can be submitted by October 24^th, 2025.

Panelists: Ms. Peggy-Ann Dros-Richardson, Ms. Sharon Cangieter, Mr. Andrew Budike, Ms. Krystal Wanga, and Ms. Eunelda Cairo LL.M.

This important event is scheduled to take place on:

Date: October 30^th, 2025

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Venue: Conference Room 1 & 2, Government Administration Building

RSVP by: 25th October 2025 

Tel: +1721-523-3671 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The St. Maarten Marine Trades Association (SMMTA), in collaboration with the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau (STB), proudly represented St. Maarten at the Annapolis Sailboat Show this past weekend. With support from key sponsors including Budget Marine, Island Water World, FKG, Bobby’s Marina, Nomad Marine Solutions, and David Walters Yachts, St. Maarten brought its marine-tourism proposition directly to sailors, boat owners, and charter prospects at one of the United States’ premier boating events.

The Annapolis Sailboat Show is widely recognized as one of the largest and most influential sailboat shows in the U.S. — the Fall edition alone features a fleet of some 155 boats and hosts hundreds of exhibitors across marine gear, yacht brokers, charter firms, and destination marketing.  Attendance for the combined sail and power boat shows in past years has reached approximately 50,000 or more visitors. The show draws attendees from across the U.S. and internationally, including industry decision-makers, charterers, vessel owners, and destination marketers.

St. Maarten’s booth was strategically situated in the Vacation Basin, among numerous sailing destinations, charter exhibitors, and marine service providers. This gave the island direct exposure to a concentrated audience of active sailors and boat owners seeking new cruising grounds, charter options, or expansion of their travel plans.

Over the show’s four days, the St. Maarten booth saw consistent foot traffic. Many visitors expressed curiosity about visiting St. Maarten with their own yachts, while others indicated interest in chartering in SXM waters. Several attendees mentioned they were already planning trips to the island—or had visited in the past—and were pleased to reconnect with St. Maarten as a destination.

“Our presence reasserted that beyond being a leading vacation destination, St. Maarten is a world-class maritime hub where sailors, yacht owners, and charter guests can find first-class services, natural beauty, and we invite you to explore,” said May-Ling Chun, Director of Tourism for St. Maarten.

The combined presence of SMMTA and STB enabled meaningful conversations about infrastructure needs, cruising logistics, berthing, provisioning, and charter support. The show also allowed the Island’s representatives to gauge what potential visitors view as priorities and constraints when considering Caribbean cruising, and more specifically regarding St. Maarten.

Gaby Eman, representing Island Water World and the SMMTA, reflected on the experience: “Participating in the Annapolis Sail Boat Show was an incredibly rewarding experience — it allowed us not only to showcase the island’s thriving marine industry and its wide range of trade and service opportunities, but also to connect directly with a wide variety of potential customers and industry professionals. The enthusiasm we encountered reaffirmed the island’s potential as a dynamic hub for marine commerce, yacht services, and sustainable blue economy growth.”

The success of St. Maarten’s presence in Annapolis underscores the island’s potential to expand its visibility among the U.S. sailing and charter market. Moving ahead, SMMTA and STB plan to follow up on leads, refine promotional materials, and evaluate attendance for next year’s Annapolis Sailboat Show. The insights gained will also inform efforts to strengthen marine infrastructure—berthing, services, logistics, and marketing—to better match the expectations of international cruising sailors and charter clients.