PHILIPSBURG:---  The Ministry of Justice wishes to inform the public that an incident involving two inmates occurred earlier today at Point Blanche Prison.
Preliminary reports indicate that the matter was an isolated altercation between the inmates. Prison personnel responded swiftly and successfully brought the situation under control. No prison staff members were injured during the incident.
Initial findings suggest the altercation stemmed from tensions related to an ongoing criminal matter involving the individuals. During the incident, one inmate sustained stab wounds and was transported to the hospital for medical treatment. The inmate remains hospitalized for continued care and observation.
Authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Ministry of Justice continues to closely monitor the situation and will provide additional updates as necessary.

PHILIPSBURG:--- MP York has written to the Minister of Finance outlining a series of operational and administrative concerns at the Tax Department that have been building since mid-2025 and now risk serious consequences for both staff and the taxpaying public. From a prolonged leadership vacuum to data errors affecting individual tax assessments, the picture that emerges is one of a department under significant strain.

It is worth noting that challenges within the Tax Department did not emerge overnight. However, the situation appears to have deepened considerably since mid-2025, suggesting that what may have once been manageable has since crossed into territory that can no longer be overlooked. The most pressing concern is the absence of a permanent head since July 2025. Without stable leadership, oversight, and coordinated decision-making have suffered, and the effects are felt across daily operations.

Staffing challenges compound the problem. The Audit Department operates with only three auditors, raising serious questions about its capacity to fulfill its responsibilities. Productivity has reportedly fallen below expected levels across the board, despite departments appearing sufficiently staffed on paper. The situation worsened when temporary workers were sent home due to budget constraints, leaving permanent staff to absorb that workload on top of their own, with no internal vacancies posted to offer any relief.

The consequences for taxpayers are tangible and in some cases deeply troubling. Inconsistent and inaccurate information is being relayed to the public, the result of decisions made without consistent adherence to established laws and regulations. More seriously, discrepancies involving CRIB numbers have led to incorrect assessments being issued. In certain instances, individuals with similar names have been wrongly merged into a single record, leaving taxpayers facing inflated or entirely unwarranted bills. These are not minor oversights. They carry real financial and legal consequences.

MP York's letter calls on the Minister to initiate a thorough review covering the leadership gap, staffing shortfalls, communication breakdowns, and data integrity failures. The correspondence is not an accusation directed at the Minister, but rather an appeal rooted in concern for the department and the people who depend on it, an acknowledgment that staff are navigating these conditions under circumstances largely beyond their control, and that meaningful change must come from leadership, not from those already carrying more than their share.

A response from the Ministry of Finance is anticipated. What that response looks like in practice will be the true measure of whether the department and the people holding it together will finally get the support they deserve.

PHILIPSBURG:---  Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, Dr. Luc Mercelina, welcomed Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten for a high-level meeting on Saturday. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation within the Kingdom and addressing key issues impacting Sint Maarten’s long-term sustainability and resilience, including recent geopolitical developments.
Representing Sint Maarten were Chief of Staff, Mr. Stuart Johnson, Secretary-General of the Ministry of General Affairs, Dr. Abel Knottnerus, and Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, Ms. Cassandra Jansen. The Dutch delegation included Director-General Kingdom Relations, Mrs. Barbara Wolfensberger, and the Representative of the Netherlands in Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, Mr. Gerbert Kunst.
During the discussions, Prime Minister Mercelina emphasized the importance of maintaining strong and pragmatic cooperation within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, while ensuring that ongoing projects of the Trust Fund and the Country Package continue to deliver tangible benefits for the people of Sint Maarten.
“We must continue to focus on cooperation that delivers lasting results,” Prime Minister Mercelina stated. “Our discussions centered on how we can ensure that the Trust Fund and the Country Package have a lasting impact for the people of Sint Maarten and how we can jointly develop a strategic agenda for cooperation that contributes to economic growth, stability, and cohesion within the Kingdom. I truly believe in a Kingdom in which Sint Maarten is not a stakeholder but a co-owner. As Sint Maarten, we cannot do everything alone; we need each other in the Kingdom, especially in these uncertain geopolitical times.”
“Today has been a great start to my first trip as Prime Minister to St Maarten and the other Caribbean parts of our Kingdom”, Prime Minister Jetten stated. “I had the pleasure of discussing a range of important topics with Prime Minister Mercelina and his Council of Ministers. Of course, also about the progress made since Hurricanes Irma and Maria. It’s been four years since I last visited St Maarten, and I’m extremely impressed by the resilience and determination of the people of Sint Maarten. I’m glad I’ve seen for myself how much has already been achieved since then. I also discussed the importance of working together on issues such as border control and organized crime with the Minister of Justice and representatives of the police and different law enforcement organizations. The overarching theme of the day and my whole visit is how we can work together as a kingdom in the years ahead. We need to work together on the basis of equality and respect”.
A key topic of discussion was the proposed extension of the Trust Fund for the Emergency Debris Management Project (EDMP), as well as the broader challenges surrounding the landfill and sustainable waste management. Both delegations acknowledged that the project has evolved since its original post-Hurricane Irma mandate and agreed on the importance of establishing clear and realistic benchmarks for long-term success.
Additional discussions addressed included:
- the impact of climate change on Sint Maarten;
- the preparation for the upcoming Kingdom Conference, which is proposed to take place towards the end of this year;
- the report of the evaluation committee on the Country Package, which recommended an extension of at least 2 years with a focus on strengthening key Government functions, including HR, tax administration, and public financial management
- Economic resilience and the economic impact of the war in the Middle East;
- Regional financial stability and the Central Bank of Sint Maarten and Curacao;
- the close relationship between Sint Maarten and the United States, and the recent working visits of Prime Minister Mercelina and Prime Minister Jetten to the United States;
- Closer collaboration within the Kingdom on renewable energy, education, health care, and justice matters.
Prime Minister Mercelina also highlighted the importance of direct communication, mutual trust, and maintaining a pragmatic mindset focused on implementation and measurable outcomes.
The meeting concluded on a very positive and forward-looking note, with both Prime Ministers reaffirming their commitment to continued collaboration on issues of shared importance within the Kingdom.
Prime Minister Mercelina thanked Prime Minister Jetten and the Dutch delegation for their constructive engagement and reiterated Sint Maarten’s commitment to building sustainable partnerships that support the country’s long-term development.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament ( MP) Lyndon Lewis has expressed deep disappointment and concern regarding recent reports that the Ministry of VROMI has allegedly failed to compensate Fleming Waste Solutions, a key company contracted by the Government since 2021 to operate government-owned equipment and execute critical landfill operations." The Minister of VROMI, Patrice Gumbs Jr., should take some kind of accountability and stop playing the blame game." MP Lewis stated.

MP Lewis stated that the situation reflects a troubling and ongoing pattern in which qualified local businesses and professionals are not treated with the respect, urgency, and fairness they deserve, despite the essential services they provide to the country. He emphasized that Fleming Waste Solutions has played an important role in assisting with landfill management and maintaining operations that directly impact public health, environmental safety, and the daily lives of the people of Sint Maarten.

“What makes this matter even more distasteful,” MP Lewis stated, “is the reality that our own people, who continue to contribute to the development and functioning of this country, are often given a difficult time when it comes to compensation, communication, and professional respect. Yet, these same individuals and businesses are welcomed and treated with the utmost professionalism and appreciation in other countries.”

MP Lewis further noted that while attending Parlatino in Panama, he coincidentally met the owner of Fleming Waste Solutions, who is well established and operates a company in Panama, where, according to reports, they do not encounter the same challenges involving delayed payments and improper operational structures that they continue to face in Sint Maarten. He described this as another painful example of local talent and businesses being valued more abroad than at home.

MP Lewis stressed that the Government must begin prioritizing qualified local entrepreneurs and businesses that provide essential services and contribute significantly to the country’s development. He stated that supporting and respecting local companies should not only be a moral obligation but also a national priority.

“Our people should not have to leave their homeland or seek validation elsewhere in order to be treated fairly and professionally,” MP Lewis said. “Government must create an environment where hardworking and qualified Sint Maarteners can thrive, grow, and contribute meaningfully without facing unnecessary obstacles, delays, or disrespect.”

Lewis concluded by urging the Government to address the matter with urgency, ensure that all outstanding obligations are handled properly, and work toward building a more professional and supportive relationship with local businesses that continue to serve the country faithfully.