PHILIPSBURG:--- On Wednesday morning, the Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI), Patrice Gumbs, went to the Court of First Instance to represent VROMI in the case between Sun Resorts Ltd. N.V. and the Government of Sint Maarten concerning the legal status and ownership of the beach area at Mullet Bay. The dispute centers on the question of whether Sun Resorts, as owner of adjacent lands in the Mullet Bay area, can claim private ownership over (parts of) the beach and coastal zone. Sun Resorts has requested that the Court declare it the rightful owner of the land extending to the coastline, and that the Government has acted unlawfully by issuing permits, granting usage rights, and allowing third parties to operate businesses on the beach. Sun Resorts further seeks court orders prohibiting the Government from continuing such activities and requests the imposition of significant financial penalties for non-compliance.

The Government of Sint Maarten has firmly rejected these claims. The position of the Government is that the beaches of Sint Maarten, including Mullet Bay, form part of the public domain and belong to the people of Sint Maarten. This position is grounded in longstanding legal principles and statutory provisions, which establish a presumption that beaches are owned by the Country unless unequivocally proven otherwise. During the proceedings, the Government argued that Sunresorts had not provided any legally valid title demonstrating ownership of the beach itself. The Government emphasized that historical deeds and cadastral documents relied upon by Sunresorts refer to land adjacent to the sea, but do not establish ownership of the beach. The Government further highlighted that beaches have historically remained publicly accessible and have been managed accordingly, including issuing permits to local entrepreneurs providing public services. In addition, the Government maintained that it has acted lawfully in managing and regulating the use of Mullet Bay Beach in the public interest, and that there is no basis for the claims of unlawful conduct or damages. “We can not let one document set a precedent that will steal the most popular beach from our people and allow others to try and lay claim to our shores,” Minister Gumbs stated when asked.

The case raises fundamental questions about public access to beaches, the scope of private property rights, and the protection of Sint Maarten’s coastal heritage. The Court has indicated that judgment in this matter is expected on June 9, 2026.

The Ministry of VROMI will continue to act in the interest of the people of Sint Maarten and remains committed to safeguarding public access to the island’s beaches. “Our beaches belong to the people and always will.” Minister Gumbs declared.

Simpson Bay:--- Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) proudly hosted a highly successful Air Traffic Control (ATC) Open House, welcoming the community for a unique behind-the-scenes look into one of the most critical operations at the airport.

With overwhelming public interest, the event reached full capacity within just one week, with 200 people registered to attend. The Open House marked a historic milestone, as it was the first time in the airport’s 80-year history that this highly restricted area was opened to the public.
The event provided a unique opportunity to step inside the world of the Air Traffic Control Tower, an area not often accessible, offering visitors an up-close look at the vital role air traffic controllers play in ensuring the safety, efficiency, and coordination of all aircraft movements in and out of Sint Maarten.

The initiative was designed not only to showcase the importance of air traffic control but also to inspire future generations. By opening its doors, the airport aimed to spark interest among young people, while also giving parents valuable insight into potential career paths within aviation.

“We were truly encouraged by the level of interest and enthusiasm from the community,” said Richard van Dinter, Director of Air Traffic Services. “It is important for us to share what happens behind the scenes and to highlight the dedication and precision required in our field. We hope this experience has inspired many, especially the younger generation, to consider a future in aviation.”

The Open House also provided aviation enthusiasts with a rare chance to experience the tower firsthand, gaining a deeper understanding of daily operations and the teamwork involved in keeping the skies safe.

The initiative was spearheaded by Emile Levons, Chief Operations Officer, who emphasized the importance of community engagement. “This was about opening our doors and connecting with the community,” said Levons. “There is so much happening behind the scenes that people don’t often see. By sharing this, we not only educate but also inspire.”

Visitors shared overwhelmingly positive feedback following the event. “It was an incredible experience to see how everything works behind the scenes,” one visitor noted. “You gain a whole new level of respect for the people in the tower and the responsibility they carry every day.”

This unique event would not have been possible without the strong teamwork and collaboration of Richard van Dinter, ATC Director; Philmore Watson, ATS Supervisor; Duncan van Heyningen, ATS Training Manager; Emile Levons, COO; Cassie Schoutens, Corporate Communication Officer; and Naomie Mazzola, Social Media Manager. SXM Airport extends its sincere appreciation for their dedication, support, and commitment in bringing this initiative to life.

Princess Juliana International Airport also extends its sincere appreciation to all volunteers, supporting departments, and especially the Air Traffic Control team for opening their doors and delivering informative and engaging sessions throughout the day. SXM Airport is beyond proud of the dedicated professionals who operate the tower, ensuring the safety of all passengers and aircraft while representing the highest standards of aviation excellence.

PHILIPSBURG:--- As Autism Awareness Month is observed across the country, Member of Parliament Francisco A. Lacroes says awareness matters, but on its own it does not ease the daily reality many families are living with.

“Awareness helps people understand,” Lacroes said. “But awareness doesn’t help a parent who is trying to find therapy. It doesn’t help a teacher standing in a classroom without the right support. And it doesn’t help a child who is being left behind.”

Across Sint Maarten, families with children on the autism spectrum are doing the best they can, often quietly and without enough help. Parents are facing emotional stress and financial pressure while navigating limited or difficult-to-access services. Teachers want to do more, but many classrooms lack the tools, training, or support needed to properly support students on the spectrum.

“This is not about one family or one school,” Lacroes said. “This is happening every day, in real households and in real classrooms.”

Autism spectrum disorder affects communication, behavior, and social interaction. Supporting a child with autism requires structure, patience, and specialized care. Without early screening, proper educational support, and access to therapy, children risk falling behind, and families are left to fill gaps that should not be theirs to carry alone.

Lacroes stressed that while public campaigns and symbolic gestures are important, they must be followed by systems that people can actually rely on.

“We cannot expect parents to figure this out on their own. We cannot expect teachers to carry this responsibility without support. And we cannot expect children to thrive if we do not provide the right environment,” he said.

According to Lacroes, the country urgently needs a clear national autism support framework so families know where to turn. Early screening and intervention must be strengthened so children receive help as early as possible. Teachers need practical training and in-class support, not just expectations. Therapy and care services must be more accessible, with shorter waiting times and fewer financial barriers. At the same time, stronger coordination is needed among SZV, VSA, and ECYS so families are not sent from office to office in search of answers.

Supporting a child with autism, Lacroes emphasized, means supporting everyone around that child.

“When we get this right, we are helping a parent who is doing their best, a teacher who wants to do more, and a family that is holding everything together,” he said.

He is calling on the Ministers of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, and Education, Culture, Youth and Sport to provide a clear overview of what support currently exists, where the gaps are, and how government intends to strengthen services going forward.

“Awareness should not be where this ends,” Lacroes concluded. “If we truly care about these children and these families, then our actions have to reflect that in a real and practical way.”

WILLEMSTAD/ PHILIPSBURG:--- The CBCS has finally moved towards criminal prosecution in the Ennia case. Anyone who deliberately drains a pension and insurance institution must answer to the criminal court. But anyone who believes the matter ends there misses the essence of the governance problem of which Ennia is only the most visible expression. In a state governed by the rule of law, that rule of law applies to everyone – including the central bank.
The uncomfortable truth is this: Ennia could only derail on such a scale because supervision failed for many years. That supervision had a name and an address: the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS). The issue is therefore not only the criminal acts of the former owner and directors, but also the governance neglect of the institution that was supposed to prevent tens of thousands of policyholders and pensioners from ending up in the danger zone, and avoid that the state ends up paying the bill.
Criminal law is necessary, but not enough
Public debate now focuses on whether or not there will be prosecution. That is understandable – it speaks to justice, to the feeling that “the big players” get away too often.
But criminal law looks at individual guilt and provable criminal acts. It does not answer the broader questions: how could it be that signals about solvency, risky investments, and conflicts of interest failed for years to trigger effective interventions? What choices were made – or not made – within CBCS when it became clear that Ennia was a systemic risk? What role did the governments of Curaçao and St. Maarten play as shareholders of CBCS? And how did the internal organs, such as the executive and supervisory boards (incl audit cmt) perform ? Did Kingdom institutions knew that the situation at Ennia had been fragile for years?
Without answers to these questions, we are left with the image that we “catch the crook” but leave the gatekeeper untouched. That is disastrous for trust in the system.
Why an internal evaluation is not enough
It is being suggested that CBCS will draw lessons and conduct an internal review of what can be improved. That sounds sympathetic, but it is exactly what should not happen. An institution that failed to correct itself for years cannot credibly investigate its own neglect, behind closed doors, with a report that the public may never see in full.
Ennia is not about an accounting error; it is a systemic crisis in supervision, governance, and political responsibility. That calls for an independent, public review, comparable to what was done in the past at Aqualectra. In that case, it was evident that public ownership and public losses justified an in depth public inquiry. In the Ennia case, that public dimension is many times greater: here, not just tariffs are at stake, but life long pensions, taxpayers’ money, and trust in the financial system.
All organs in the governance chain under scrutiny
A serious evaluation therefore cannot stop at “CBCS had a difficult task.” We need a clear picture of the role of all organs in the governance chain:
Within CBCS: how were warning signals assessed, which interventions were considered, and why was the heaviest instrument – the emergency measure – applied so late?
In the governments and parliaments of Curaçao and St. Maarten: what information did they have, how did they fulfil their role as shareholder and legislator, and where did they look away?
At Kingdom level: how were repeated warnings about the vulnerability of supervision and financial stability in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom handled? Were there such warnings ?
Only when these questions are answered publicly and factually can citizens and policyholders judge whether the institutions “above them” are living up to their responsibilities.
Time for an Ennia report on CBCS
If we want to use the Ennia crisis to improve the system holistically instead of merely punishing a few perpetrators, one step is unavoidable: an independent, public inquiry into the functioning of CBCS and the wider governance chain around Ennia. Not to destroy the Bank, but to develop it as a mature public institution that can be corrected.
Criminal prosecution is necessary, but not sufficient. In a state governed by the rule of law, that rule of law applies to everyone, including the central bank: bringing full clarity about what went wrong inside CBCS and which organs played a role in that is at least as important as the criminal prosecution of those who bled Ennia dry. Precisely the consistent application of the rule of law to all holders of power is essential to maintain and strengthen trust in our democratic constitutional state.
Mike Willem, BaEcon, MBA
Former Minister of the Netherlands Antilles and former Commissioner of Curacao