WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG:--- On Thursday, December 18, 2025, the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) will issue a new bond loan on behalf of the country of Curaçao. The bond, which has a maturity of 30 years, is valued at XCG 115,700,000. The interest rate is based on the Dutch yield curve as per December 11, 2025. On November 24, the indicative interest rate for loans with a 30-year maturity was 3.479%. The bond will be repaid annually, beginning on December 18, 2026.
The subscription period for the Dutch State Treasury Agency (DSTA) opens on Thursday, December 11, 2025. Then, until Monday, December 15, 2025, at 12:00 p.m., the public may subscribe to this bond issue through the commercial banks in Curaçao and Sint Maarten. Subscriptions will take place according to the tender system in which parties indicate the amount and the price at which they wish to participate in the loan, thereby specifying their desired yield.
After the subscription period closes, the CBCS will announce the issue price. Those who subscribed at a price higher than the issue price will receive full allocation. Those who subscribed at an equal price will receive the remaining amount of the issue.
Subscription forms can be downloaded from our website at:
https://www.centralbank.cw/functions/market-operations-payments/capital-markets/government-loans-curacao
Willemstad, December 10, 2025
CENTRALE BANK VAN CURAÇAO EN SINT MAARTEN

The Hague, Netherlands:--- A reflective and forward-looking address on Sint Maarten’s constitutional journey was delivered at InterExpo 2025 in The Hague by President of Parliament, Hon. Sarah A. Wescot-Williams. The presentation was well received, contributing substantively to discussions on Kingdom relations, governance, and sustainable development.
Fifteen years after Sint Maarten became a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, MP Wescot-Williams invited renewed reflection on whether existing constitutional arrangements are genuinely suited to the realities of a Small Island Developing State (SIDS). She emphasized that the challenge facing Sint Maarten is not constitutional form alone, but constitutional fitness, particularly when applied uniformly to vastly different political, economic, and geographic contexts.
At the center of her address was the concept of constitutional suitability, questioning whether current governance structures adequately reflect the scale limitations, vulnerabilities, and high operating costs inherent to small island states. She underscored that SIDS require proportional treatment within larger political frameworks, rather than one-size-fits-all models.
Key issues highlighted in the address included:
• SIDS Realities: Limited scale, constrained administrative capacity, high costs, and susceptibility to external shocks demand governance models tailored to small island contexts.
• Asymmetric Relationships: Persistent hierarchical power dynamics within the Kingdom hinder genuine partnership and contribute to democratic deficits.
• Financial Oversight: Existing financial supervision frameworks were critiqued for prioritizing control over development. A SIDS-appropriate approach, she noted, must allow for counter-cyclical investment, resilience planning, and access to development financing.
• Kingdom Affairs: Caribbean countries continue to have limited influence over critical matters such as foreign affairs and defense, despite their status as autonomous countries within the Kingdom.
• Shared Kingdom Budget: The absence of a joint Kingdom budget for shared responsibilities was identified as a structural deficit that weakens equal partnership.
• Scale Limitations in Public Services: Small scale presents ongoing challenges for healthcare, education, justice, and regulatory systems, requiring realistic and collaborative Kingdom solutions.
• Right to Development: MP Wescot-Williams called for a shift in focus from constitutional debates centered on decolonization toward development, emphasizing capacity building, resilience, and institutional strengthening.
• Partnership and Reciprocity: A modern Kingdom relationship demands both continued governance reform at the country level and impartial, inclusive engagement by Kingdom institutions.
• Equity over Equality: Equal treatment does not necessarily result in fairness; equitable outcomes require proportional measures that recognize difference.
• Role of Women: She highlighted the pivotal role of women in governance and development across the Kingdom and their capacity to inspire future generations of leadership.
Concluding her address, the MP outlined a vision grounded in justice, partnership, the right to development, and Caribbean-centered governance, calling for a Kingdom relationship that recognizes the unique realities of its Caribbean countries and responds with fairness, responsibility, and mutual respect.
Her participation at InterExpo 2025 reaffirmed Sint Maarten’s commitment to constructive dialogue, constitutional realism, and collaborative solutions to build resilient institutions and a more balanced Kingdom partnership.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Preventive measures to address firearm violence are currently in place across Sint Maarten and will continue into the foreseeable future.
Under the order issued by the Prosecutor’s Office Sint Maarten OM SXM, police officers may open bags and packages, search vehicles, and request cooperation from individuals for clothing searches in publicly accessible areas. These measures are designed to detect illegal firearms, disrupt criminal activity such as armed robberies, and strengthen public safety across all communities.
Investigations indicate that illegal firearms are being brought onto the island through various channels, contributing to increased violence and public safety risks. As part of the response, the Prosecutor’s Office has ordered the continuation of preventive searches through Monday, December 15, 2025, with further extensions expected.
Police have seized over 70 illegal firearms since early 2024, underscoring both the scale of the challenge and the active work of the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM). Targeted controls and earlier preventive search operations have proven effective in removing weapons from circulation.
Gun violence remains a serious concern, with multiple injuries and fatalities recorded since 2024 and several cases showing links to criminal groups operating across the Dutch–French border and the wider region. Firearms are also being used within drug-related networks, driven by shifting trafficking routes through the Caribbean.
The Prosecutor’s Office, together with KPSM, reaffirms its commitment to combating gun violence and protecting residents and visitors.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Traffic congestion on St. Maarten has become a pressing issue, with residents and visitors alike voicing frustrations over gridlocked roads at all hours of the day. During Wednesday’s press briefing, Minister of VROMI Patrice Gumbs Jr. addressed the growing concerns, outlining both short-term fixes and long-term strategies to tackle the island’s traffic woes.

Short-Term Fixes in Motion

Minister Gumbs highlighted several immediate measures aimed at alleviating traffic bottlenecks. Among these is the installation of new road signage to regulate traffic flow, including limiting left turns and controlling access to high-traffic areas. The signage, currently in its final procurement stages, will target congestion hotspots such as Simpson Bay and Pondfill Road.

Additionally, pothole repairs are underway to improve road conditions and reduce vehicle slowdowns. Police officers have also been deployed to manage traffic in critical areas during peak hours, providing temporary relief.

The Minister emphasized the importance of enforcing existing traffic laws, such as restricting heavy construction vehicles on roads like Link One. “It’s not just about creating new rules; it’s about ensuring people follow the ones already in place,” he stated. Garbage collection schedules are also being enforced, with haulers required to operate during off-peak hours to avoid disrupting morning traffic.

Long-Term Vision for Traffic Management

While short-term fixes are being implemented, Minister Gumbs acknowledged that sustainable solutions require a long-term approach. The government is working on a comprehensive transportation review, which includes regulating the import of vehicles and improving the island’s public transportation system.

Infrastructure development is also a key focus, with plans for filtering lanes and improved access roads, such as the Manzanilla Road, to address bottlenecks. The Minister noted that a phased approach is being taken, citing C.A Cannegieter Street as an example, where making it a one-way road has already reduced congestion in the area.

To ensure compliance with traffic regulations, the government is strengthening its enforcement mechanisms. Plans are underway to introduce fines for violations, as warning letters alone have proven ineffective. “If people don’t feel it in their pocket, they won’t take it seriously,” Minister Gumbs remarked.

Challenges During High Season

The Minister acknowledged the added strain on the island’s infrastructure during the peak tourist season, with six to eight cruise ships arriving daily. “The reality is that our infrastructure cannot handle the current volume of traffic,” he said, calling for collective action and tough decisions to address the issue.

A Call for Patience and Cooperation

Minister Gumbs concluded by urging residents to remain patient as the government works to implement both immediate and long-term solutions. “It takes all of us to make this work,” he said, emphasizing the need for collective responsibility in following traffic rules and respecting regulations.

As St. Maarten grapples with its traffic challenges, the government’s efforts to balance quick fixes with strategic planning will be closely watched by residents and stakeholders alike.