PHILIPSBURG:--- On Monday, June 30, 2025, a group of police officers from the Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) were formally awarded certificates for the successful completion of several professional development trainings.

The ceremony marks the beginning of a broader internal project aimed at translating newly acquired knowledge into operational efficiency, improved service delivery, and a commitment to integrity.

The awarded officers participated in a range of training designed to strengthen their technical competencies, enhance investigative techniques, and reinforce ethical standards in law enforcement. These trainings reflect KPSM’s ongoing efforts to invest in the professional growth of its personnel and to build a force that is equipped, accountable, and service-driven.

“This certification ceremony is not just a recognition of what has been learned, but a clear step in our broader strategy to transform knowledge into action, with our thoughts, ways, and techniques in policing, stated the Chief of Police.

Integrity remains a central pillar of our mission, alongside professionalism and a dedication to public service. This remains the cornerstone of everything we do.

The management Team of the Sint Maarten Police Force would like to thank all the officers who took part and completed their training.

KPSM Press Release.

Oranjestad, Aruba:--- Social unrest in Aruba is growing. A group of concerned Dutch and Aruban citizens has drafted a letter to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander. The letter is a clear cry for help, addressing the increasing corruption, cronyism, and the structurally paralyzed Public Prosecutor’s Office (OM) on the island.

Corruption and Political Decay

Since Aruba gained its Status Aparte in 1986, seven politicians have been convicted of corruption, including five former ministers and a vice-chair of Parliament. Even today, "three politicians are officially suspects, two of whom are active members of Parliament." Among them is Otmar Oduber, who was recently convicted of fraud, and Mike de Meza, who is formally under investigation. Another active Parliament member, Stephanie Zievinger, continues to serve despite her father, Benny Zievinger, having been convicted of corruption in the past.

The letter highlights the dire state of the Public Prosecutor’s Office (OM), which is entirely dependent on Aruba’s Parliament for funding. "The OM is fully dependent on the Parliament of Aruba for its financing – and it is precisely there that politicians under investigation or already convicted are seated." This dependency has left the OM "structurally paralyzed," unable to operate independently or effectively.

A Political Den of Thieves

The letter describes the current political climate as a "political den of thieves" where cronyism and corruption thrive unchecked. It points out that Parliament members like Otmar Oduber and Mike de Meza have a vested interest in limiting the OM’s resources. "Otmar Oduber will never support the OM with sufficient resources because the OM has appealed his criminal case, and Mike de Meza because he is currently a suspect himself." Additionally, Stephanie Zievinger has publicly expressed distrust in the OM due to how her father was treated by the justice system.

A Call for Help

The draft letter appeals to King Willem-Alexander and the Dutch government for immediate intervention. Beyond financial aid, the citizens are calling for the deployment of additional judges and prosecutors from the Netherlands. "Without independent judiciary support, Aruba risks definitively collapsing under the weight of its political den of thieves," the letter states.

The situation has left the Aruban population feeling increasingly hopeless. "The people are becoming numb. They are losing faith in justice. Young people want to emigrate because they see no hope for their island. Others are afraid to speak out for fear of retaliation."

A Last Resort

The authors of the letter stress that Aruba’s only hope lies in direct support from the Netherlands. They urge the King to bring this crisis to the attention of the Dutch government and the Governor of Aruba. "Our only hope is a genuine lifeline from the Netherlands. Not just money, but above all more Dutch judges, prosecutors, and assistant prosecutors who, together with the Aruban judiciary and OM, can ensure independent justice and protection for citizens."

The draft letter has been made public for feedback and discussion. It represents a final attempt by concerned citizens to draw attention to the grave situation Aruba is facing.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Alvin Prescod, Project Manager of 240 Seconds of We Own T’ing, is proud to announce the official start of the distribution phase of the groundbreaking cultural docuseries that captures the voices, stories, and legacies of some of St. Maarten’s most iconic cultural figures. This docuseries, carefully crafted to reflect the richness of our island’s identity, marks a major step in preserving and passing on cultural knowledge to younger generations.

As part of this ongoing effort, USB drives containing the full docuseries have been presented to several schools that welcomed us during their final week of classes. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Sr. Borgia Elementary School, Charlotte Brookson Academy for the Performing Arts, and Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School for opening their doors and engaging in this important cultural exchange. It is our hope that this material will be incorporated into their local curriculum—not only during St. Maarten’s Day celebrations, but as a year-round resource for cultural education and storytelling, “says Alvin Prescod.

This first wave of distribution is just the beginning. As we look toward the upcoming school year, we plan to expand the initiative to reach all primary and high schools across the island. Each institution will be gifted a copy of the docuseries to use within their classrooms and cultural programs, helping to deepen students’ appreciation for their roots through real voices and shared experiences.

In addition to the USB version, the docuseries is available online for wider access. You can view episodes and stories on our official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/weownting and through our official website www.weownting.sx, where they are freely accessible to the public. These platforms were designed to ensure that cultural pride and awareness are nurtured both inside and outside of the classroom.

We would like to once again express our deepest thanks to our committed partners who made this initiative possible. Our appreciation goes out to Laser 101, Islandpreneur, and Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied, whose financial and institutional support through an approved grant application provided the fuel to bring this vision to life, my brother John Prescod and the rest of team Focus Forward Media and of course to our interviewees for their willingness to share their stories. This is only the beginning of a larger movement to embed cultural storytelling at the heart of education in St. Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), under the leadership of Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten, has announced the temporary closure of the Department of Economic Licenses’ service desk at the Public Service Center (PSC), effective July 1, 2025, for a period of four to six weeks.

This decision is part of a strategic effort to address recurring public concerns, improve turnaround times, and strengthen the quality of service provided to the business community, particularly Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). It aligns with the Ministry’s broader mission to ease the process of doing business in St. Maarten.

“I’ve listened to the complaints and frustrations from the public and the staff of the Department, and I am taking decisive action,” stated Minister Heyliger-Marten. “The goal is to assist the staff by restructuring internal processes, give them time to only address the backlog, and reintroduce a system that prioritizes their concerns by means of efficiency, accuracy, and transparency.”

Key updates during the closure include:

A new digital document submission: Applicants will be able to upload required documents from wherever they are. This will make the process easier, more flexible, and reduce the need to come in person unless absolutely necessary. More updates on how you can receive assistance during closure via the of Small Economic Development Corporation SEDC and/or the Chamber of Commerce COCI, we be mentioned later this week.

Discontinuation of the current online system: The existing online submission platform will be phased out. A new short-term digital solution will be introduced to ensure more reliable and user-friendly service.

Return to walk-in service: After the service desk reopens, morning hours will accommodate walk-in submissions and inquiries using a number system. Afternoon hours (1 PM to 4 PM) will be dedicated to application status updates.

Follow-up for existing appointments: All individuals with appointments scheduled for July and early August will be contacted during the first week of July to inform them of next steps and address their pending requests.

To manage this transition, a dedicated internal project team has been assigned to support implementation, clear the backlog, and enhance communication between the department and the public.

“The Ministry fully recognizes the vital role that MSMEs play in our economy and the challenges they face when accessing basic services,” added Minister Heyliger-Marten. “This restructuring represents a short- to mid-term solution that will bring relief now, while we continue working on broader long-term reforms through the Country Packages.”

The Department will also participate in the upcoming Go Local Event, hosted in Philipsburg on the Boardwalk from July 24 to 27, 2025. During this event, the department will host an informational tent to share updates, answer public inquiries, and promote awareness about the new licensing process.

While the temporary closure may cause some short-term inconvenience, the Ministry is confident that these measures will result in improved service, renewed public trust, and a more efficient approach to licensing that reflects the needs of a modern economy.