Willemstad:--- The Chair of the three boards of financial supervision (Cft), Ms. Lidewijde Ongering, announced today that she will be stepping down from her supervisory duties effective February 1st, 2026. On that date, her first term of appointment ends. More attention for private life At the end of this year, Ms. Ongering will reach 67 years of age, which marks a new phase in her life. The former top civil servant and current Chair of the Boards is known for her strong work ethic. “I enjoyed having been able to hold responsible top positions within the Kingdom; however, I now feel a need to spend more time on my private life”, says Ongering.

Reflection

The Boards have been far from idle under Ongering’s leadership. Several times, the Boards – both solicited and unsolicited – alerted to risks that they see arising in the budgets of the countries and the Caribbean Netherlands. At all times, respecting the challenges the countries face. Furthermore, the CFT continuously drew attention to necessary reforms, for example, in healthcare and the tax authorities of the countries. Another topic frequently emphasized by Ongering within the CFT is the improvement of financial management.

Successor

The Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations will coordinate Ms. Ongering’s succession.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Recent statements made by the current Minister of Finance, the Prime Minister, and Mr. Jairo Bloem, suggesting that the previous government failed to act on the appointment of a Chairperson for the Supervisory Board of the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS), are misleading and not supported by the facts.

The documented record shows clearly that under the previous government, the Supervisory Board of the CBCS submitted a formal recommendation for Mr. Dennis Leroy Richardson to be appointed Chairperson of the Supervisory Board. That recommendation was accepted and supported by the then Minister of Finance of Sint Maarten, Ardwell M.R. Irion, and confirmed by the Council of Ministers of Sint Maarten.

On March 4, 2022, Minister Irion wrote formally to Curaçao’s Minister of Finance, Drs. Javier Silvania, confirming Sint Maarten’s agreement with the recommendation of the Supervisory Board for Mr. Richardson’s appointment. This was in strict accordance with Article 25 of the Central Bank Charter, which requires that nominations be based on recommendations from the Supervisory Board, not by personal selection of Ministers.

Subsequently, on March 29, 2022, the Council of Ministers of Sint Maarten officially approved the nomination of Mr. Richardson and instructed that the necessary screening process move forward. At that time, the delay was not due to inaction but because the legislation governing the screening of confidential positions still had to be amended in Curaçao before the process could be finalized. The government of Sint Maarten, therefore, respected the law and did not bypass the procedures required by the Charter and screening legislation.

The key point is that the Ministers did not themselves select a candidate. They respected the procedure outlined in the Charter: the Supervisory Board recommends, the Ministers of Finance of both countries jointly nominate, and the appointment is finalized by Kingdom decree.

To now suggest otherwise misinforms the public and creates unnecessary confusion around an already sensitive process. The law and the Charter are clear, and the record shows that the previous government abided by them.

It is regrettable that the Minister of Finance, the Prime Minister, and even Mr. Bloem have chosen to misrepresent this history. Sint Maarten deserves accurate information, not narratives designed to justify questionable interpretations of the law. The facts show that the proper process was followed, a nomination was indeed made, and the integrity of the Central Bank’s appointment process was upheld.

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BASSETERRE GUADELOUPE:--- Kathron "Cuchi" Fortune has been sentenced to 30 years in prison, with a minimum of 20 years before parole eligibility, for the murder of Angélique Chauviré. The verdict was delivered on October 1, 2025, by the Assize Court in Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe. Fortune's lawyer has announced plans to appeal the decision.

The court found Fortune guilty of voluntary homicide by a majority vote of seven jurors. The sentence represents the maximum penalty for the crime.

The prosecution, led by Elodie Rouchouse, presented compelling evidence during the trial. In a striking moment, Rouchouse used a wooden ruler to illustrate the brutality of the crime, emphasizing the barbarity of the act. The court also considered consistent witness testimonies, including accounts that placed Fortune as the last person seen with the victim. Additionally, a 15-year-old witness, Delbert Baker, testified about being assaulted by Fortune.

Despite Fortune's denials during the trial, the court was not convinced of his innocence. He stood silently as the verdict was read.

Fortune's lawyer, Gérald Coralie, confirmed that his client intends to appeal the ruling.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Wescot-Williams has formally addressed questions to the Prime Minister regarding the Dutch government’s recent rejection of the draft consensus Kingdom Law on a dispute regulation (Geschillenregeling).

PHILIPSBURG:--- The draft law, submitted by the Aruban Prime Minister, was the result of joint consultations between the parliaments of Curaçao, Aruba, and Sint Maarten. According to MP Wescot, the Dutch government’s response came as “a surprise and disappointment,” as it dismisses the consensus draft from the CAS parliaments and instead suggests a return to an earlier, retracted proposal.

“The Dutch government’s stance not only sidelines the parliaments of the Caribbean countries, but also disregards many of the recommendations of the Council of State,” MP Wescot stated.

In her letter to the Prime Minister, MP Wescot highlighted the apparent contradiction between this latest position and the earlier assurances given by the Dutch State Secretary. In May of this year, the State Secretary had expressed appreciation for a Kingdom-wide and joint approach to the Council of State’s advice on the “70 Years Charter.”

MP Wescot is seeking clarification from the Prime Minister on several key points, including:

1. The process agreed upon by the four governments regarding the Council of State’s advice.

2. When Sint Maarten’s position was shared with the other countries.

3. Communication that has taken place between the governments on this matter.

4. The Prime Minister’s intended course of action in light of the Dutch position.

5. Consultations with counterparts in Aruba and Curaçao.

6. Any further correspondence between the Prime Minister and the Dutch government/State Secretary.

“The consensus draft represented a concrete step forward in strengthening mutual trust and equality within the Kingdom,” MP Wescot emphasized. “It is therefore concerning that the Dutch government has chosen to dismiss this joint effort.”

The MP concluded by stating that she looks forward to the Prime Minister’s response at the earliest opportunity.