MARIGOT:--- Prime Minister Luc Mercelina met last Wednesday (May 13^th, 2026) with President of the Territorial Council of the Collectivity of Saint-Martin Louis Mussington to discuss the ongoing traffic challenges affecting both sides of the island and to explore practical solutions through strengthened bilateral cooperation.

The meeting focused on several critical matters, including traffic congestion, cross-border mobility, infrastructure coordination, and the need for greater technical cooperation to improve traffic circulation and mobility island-wide.

Also participating in the meeting were Minister of VROMI Patrice Gumbs, along with Government officials supporting both the Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin delegations.

Prime Minister Mercelina emphasized that traffic congestion has become a serious island-wide issue impacting residents, businesses, emergency services, and the tourism sector.

“Traffic congestion is no longer simply an inconvenience. It directly affects productivity, public safety, tourism, and the overall quality of life for our people. This is a shared challenge that requires practical cooperation and coordinated solutions between both sides of the island,” stated Prime Minister Mercelina.

During the discussions, both parties acknowledged the importance of enhancing technical collaboration between the relevant ministries and departments responsible for traffic management, infrastructure, transportation, and public safety.

Particular emphasis was placed on strengthening cooperation involving the Ministries of TEATT, Justice, and VROMI, as well as their counterparts on the French side, in order to support coordinated planning, traffic management initiatives, road safety measures, and long-term mobility solutions.

It was agreed that Minister of VROMI Patrice Gumbs will take the lead on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten, together with his colleagues from the Ministries of TEATT and Justice, in the establishment and coordination of the proposed technical cooperation committee.

“Improving mobility on our island requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach. Through stronger technical cooperation between our respective ministries and services, we can work toward practical and sustainable solutions that benefit the people on both sides of the island,” the Prime Minister stated.

The meeting also addressed the importance of data sharing and evidence-based planning. Prime Minister Mercelina requested updated statistics regarding vehicle registrations on the French side to support future traffic assessments and island-wide mobility planning.

“Reliable and shared data is essential if we are to properly assess the scale of the traffic situation and develop sustainable, long-term solutions that benefit both Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin,” said Prime Minister Mercelina.

Both parties acknowledged the importance of continued dialogue and technical cooperation in addressing mobility challenges affecting the island’s residents and visitors.

Prime Minister Mercelina and President Mussington are also scheduled to hold a further bilateral meeting on June 4, 2026, as part of continued discussions on additional matters of mutual importance between Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin.

The meeting forms part of the Government of Sint Maarten’s broader commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and pursuing practical solutions that improve the daily lives of the people of Sint Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:---   On Saturday, May 16, 2026, a team of Orco Bank Sint Maarten employees took to the streets of Sucker Garden as part of SXM Doet, completing two hands-on community improvement projects under the bank's newly launched Orco Cares program.
In partnership with the No Kidding With Our Kids Foundation, the Orco Cares team restored a youth greenhouse at the ASA location on Sucker Garden Road, replacing worn netting, reinforcing the structure, and repainting the exterior, ensuring the facility remains a safe, functional space for youth agriculture programs and environmental education.
Volunteers also worked alongside the Lion Civic Center to install wooden lattice fencing around an outdoor gazebo, a space used daily by children for structured programs and activities. The completed fencing significantly improves safety, reduces fall risks, and enhances the overall environment for youth programming.
"Our team was incredible," said Judy King of Orco Bank Sint Maarten. "Watching my colleagues give their Saturday, their energy, their tools, their hearts to improve spaces for the children of Sint Maarten is exactly what Orco Cares is about. We're proud of what we built together, and we're just getting started."
Orco Cares will continue with future community initiatives throughout 2026 and beyond.

WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG:---  The Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) has expanded its stress testing framework following recommendations from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to further strengthen the monitoring of risks in the financial sector.
Stress tests help the CBCS assess how banks, insurers, and pension funds would perform during periods of economic or financial stress. The tests use different scenarios, ranging from normal economic conditions to more severe situations, to evaluate how financial institutions could be affected by shocks such as economic downturns, financial market volatility, or natural disasters. This helps the CBCS identify vulnerabilities early and take timely measures to help safeguard financial stability in Curaçao and Sint Maarten.
As part of the expanded framework, the CBCS further strengthened its banking sector stress tests by introducing macroeconomic stress testing, which assesses how banks could be affected by developments such as lower economic growth, rising unemployment, or weaker tourism activity. At the same time, the CBCS introduced initial stress tests for pension funds to assess risks related to, for example, global financial market turmoil and a local economic downturn. For non-life insurers, the initial stress tests covered scenarios related to potential natural disasters.
Overall, the stress test results show that financial institutions in the monetary union remain broadly resilient under normal and moderate stress scenarios. However, the results also highlight that vulnerabilities become more visible under severe scenarios, particularly in areas such as asset quality, liquidity pressures, market developments, and claims-related risks.
The stress tests also assess the connections between financial sectors and how risks may spread through the financial system during periods of stress. While the results indicate that the financial system remains broadly resilient, the CBCS emphasizes that continued monitoring and forward-looking risk assessments remain essential in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
The expanded stress testing framework forms part of the CBCS’s broader efforts to strengthen its macroprudential oversight and follows recommendations made during the IMF’s 2025 technical assistance mission. In line with IMF recommendations on transparency, the CBCS also presents the stress testing models and their development in the 2026 Financial Stability Report (FSR).

The CBCS will continue strengthening its financial stability framework through enhanced stress testing, improved data collection, and targeted policy measures aimed at supporting a resilient financial system in Curaçao and Sint Maarten.
The 2026 Financial Stability Report is available on the CBCS website at:
https://www.centralbank.cw/publications/financial-stability-reports/2026
Willemstad, May 18, 2026
CENTRALE BANK VAN CURAÇAO EN SINT MAARTEN

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) informs the public that on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at approximately 1:00 p.m., officers attached to the Detective Department observed a dark-colored scooter with a lone rider traveling along Front Street in Philipsburg.

Officers became suspicious after noticing the rider repeatedly looking into various businesses as they moved through the area. His behavior raised concern, prompting officers to continue observing him. The rider was subsequently followed onto Back Street, where officers again observed him slowing down and looking into one of the stores in a manner they considered suspicious.

After relaying the information to other patrol units, officers coordinated efforts and successfully intercepted the scooter rider, identified by the initials J.M.M., on Long Wall Road.

While conducting a control of the suspect, officers discovered a revolver concealed underneath his shirt. The suspect was immediately arrested, and the firearm was confiscated. He was then transported to the Philipsburg Police Station, where he is currently being held for questioning pending further investigation.

KPSM continues to maintain a proactive approach in combating illegal firearm possession and criminal activity. The removal of illegal weapons from the streets remains a priority in ensuring the safety and security of the community.

KPSM is taking this opportunity to urge all business owners in Philipsburg, as well as throughout the island, to remain vigilant and aware of suspicious behavior around their establishments. If you see anything or anyone acting suspiciously, please contact the police immediately by calling 911 or the Police Station at +1 (721) 542-2222.