ORANJESTAD:--- From 10 to 14 November 2025, analysts, intelligence officers, and investigators from all countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, including the Caribbean Netherlands, worked side by side in a single space to address firearms-related crime. The result: sufficient intelligence to launch three criminal investigations in the short term, ten intelligence products, and a more detailed understanding of the firearms crisis across the Caribbean.

This second edition, dubbed War Room 2.0, focused on analysing Kingdom-wide patterns in the transport, trade, possession, and use of firearms. Local and international information sources were combined and supplemented with open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniques and advanced analysis tools. Launched by the Board of Chiefs of Police of the Dutch Caribbean, the event was organized by the Inter-Island Information Coordination Platform (IICP) in collaboration with the Dutch National Police. This initiative builds on the success of the pilot held in March 2025.

Participants included representatives from the five police forces within the Kingdom, the Special Police Task Force (RST), the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, and the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard. The Public Prosecution Service was closely involved as well.

The event was officially opened by Minister Dowers, Aruba’s Minister of Justice, together with Chief of Police Ramon Arnhem of the Aruba Police Force, who spoke on behalf of the Board of Chiefs of Police. Minister Dowers expressed appreciation for the continuation of the initiative and stressed the importance of maintaining momentum: “It is not always easy to start such projects — let alone to sustain them over time,” he noted, adding that he looks forward to the deliverables produced during this edition.

Chief Arnhem highlighted the importance of regional cooperation: “We are honored to host this second edition in Aruba. It is not only a privilege for the Aruba Police Force but also a sign of confidence in the partnerships we have built over the years with our sister islands and Kingdom partners.”

Rafiek Dinmohamed, coordinator of the IICP, reflected on the platform’s evolution: “When we started the IICP in 2024, it began with a vision — a belief that police cooperation between islands, or rather between countries, must be possible. Since then, we’ve grown step by step into a dedicated inter-island intelligence team that collaborates daily, shares information, and produces actionable intelligence products that contribute to fighting crime across our Kingdom.”

The initiative took place against the backdrop of an escalating firearms crisis in the Caribbean. The possession and use of firearms have visibly increased in recent years. The urgency of the issue was underscored when a serious firearms-related incident occurred during the week of the War Room. Participants immediately mobilized to assess which relevant intelligence could be brought together.

The analysis conducted during the War Room revealed clear patterns. There is a strong interconnection between firearms and drugs. The guns–drugs–gangs dynamic—long observed in the region—was once again confirmed. Multiple individuals were found to be operating across the Kingdom using similar routes, facilitators, and logistical networks. In addition to new leads, the analysis uncovered data that are directly relevant to ongoing criminal investigations that are directly relevant to ongoing criminal investigations.

The War Room demonstrates what true collaboration looks like when it moves beyond rhetoric into concrete action. While the first edition marked the start of a new phase in Kingdom-wide cooperation, the second edition proves that this method of working is now solidly embedded and producing results. A follow-up edition is already being planned for next year, with the aim of engaging CARICOM IMPACS and broadening regional cooperation even further.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI) is pleased to announce progress on two projects, the first being the project to strengthen utility infrastructure and the second being the Private-Public Partnership to rehabilitate Billy Folly Road (Pelican). The Utility Infrastructure Project follows from the agreement signed in May by VROMI, NRPB, and GEBE to the tune of USD$5.1 million dollars to introduce electrical cables and drinking water pipes in Cole Bay, South Reward, Pointe Blanche, and A.T. Illidge Road (area of Madame Estate, Middle Region, and Dutch Quarter). Minister of VROMI Mr. Patrice Gumbs was on site on Friday at the intersection of A.T. Illidge Road and Gibbs Drive to inspect the works with the team from the Infrastructure Department.
The Ministry initiated hard surfacing of Gibbs Drive as part of the program in February 2024. Works were stopped following protests from residents related to a dispute by heirs on ownership of a parcel of land for the proposed bypass to Richardson Drive. Since then, road conditions have continued to deteriorate, prompting residents to approach the Government to intervene. The Ministry is currently in discussions with the heirs to come to a resolution to allow the Government to fulfill their promise to repair the road. In the interim, once the cabling and piping is completed, the Ministry of VROMI will grade Gibbs Drive until the restart of the hard-surfacing project. This will offer temporary relief by improving accessibility for the residents.
Last month, the Ministry announced a Private-Public Partnership with the business establishments in the area. At the time of publication, a total of USD$496,500 was raised by Simpsonbay Resort, Flamingo Hilton, The Atrium, La Vista, Simpsonbay Suites, Baker Suites, Market Garden, SMTA, Hollywood Casino, Splash Jewelry, Aquamania, Tepui Residences, Dollar Thrifty, Buccaneers Beach Bar, Peli Deli, and Sunset Spa. The Government contributed USD$94,000 to this initiative. The Minister, the Department of Infrastructure, and representatives of Windward Roads were on site to inspect the works. The project includes the introduction of much needed sidewalks, upgrading the concrete subsurface, and the introduction of an asphalt layer. In addition, the long-standing issue of water settling on the road (drainage), will be addressed.
“Windward Roads is proud to be part of this important project, made possible through the hard work and cooperation between the public and private sectors. Together, we are upgrading Billy Folly Road to enhance the infrastructure for the people of St. Maarten and for our visitors. We look forward to many more collaborations in the future and hope to continue contributing to the island’s development”, stated Michiel Witteveen of Winward Roads.
VROMI Minister Patrice Gumbs stated that “this project exemplifies the Public-Private Partnership model outlined in the Governing Program as vital for Sint Maarten's future development. The realization of this infrastructure improvement has been made possible through the generous support of local businesses and stakeholders who have demonstrated exceptional corporate social responsibility, and for that we are extremely thankful”.
Similar public-private partnership initiatives are currently being negotiated for other infrastructure projects, and the development of a framework to regulate partnerships going forward is in the final stages; to be shared with the public within the coming weeks.
The Ministry thanks the public for their patience, recognizing that proper public works take time, adequate financing, and planning to ensure quality infrastructure.

The Hague:--- During deliberations with the Executive Councils of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, the Board of Financial Supervision of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (Cft) drew attention to the necessity to enhance the executive capacity of the Public Entities. This enhancement is needed since the budgets of the islands have seen major increases since 2010. The Cft emphasizes the importance of a realistic budget, in which - more so than before - the limits of its own executive capacity are taken into account. Primarily, in Bonaire’s case, the ambitions are not in line with the implementation of the budget.  

Executive capacity  

Executive capacity entails more than just the capacity itself. It also requires stable governance and transparent decision-making processes. Furthermore, financial management must be in order so that the administration can make timely adjustments where needed. Creating sufficient executive capacity is not an easy task, considering the scale of the islands. However, priorization does help.

The Cft presented its analysis regarding the executive capacity of the Public Entities to the Executive Councils and the Island Councils, which showed the following: 

 Executive capacity of Bonaire falls short

The executive capacity of Bonaire falls short in almost all areas. From a financial-economic point of view, the great number of special benefits of which the term has expired concerns the Cft, since these are funds that may be recovered and therefore do not benefit Bonaire's citizens. Furthermore, the CFT sees a great increase in the special-purpose reserves and expenses that have not been included in an adopted budget. It is important that Bonaire makes stable governance and enhancement of the executive capacity in the entire organization a top priority. It is a given that the population has seen a major increase, and the budget has doubled in five years’ time. The Board therefore understands the complexity of the task the system has to keep up with this growth.

The primary message the CFT gave the Executive Council is: “Focus on what must be done, and do it right!” Otherwise, Bonaire’s citizens are the ones who pay the price.

St. Eustatius is well on its way to being in control

The executive capacity of Sint Eustatius is visibly growing. The Cft observes that over the past year, Sint Eustatius has taken major steps to improve financial management. An important milestone is the fact that for its annual accounts for 2024, Sint Eustatius received an unqualified audit opinion for the first time. Furthermore, Sint Eustatius handles its special-purpose reserves cautiously. ​Persistent effort and strong support in all areas remain necessary, since recovery is still fragile and the operation of the civil service remains vulnerable due to the large number of vacancies. Therefore, the Cft's message to Sint Eustatius is: “Continue on the path to being in control.” 

 Saba: What a small island can be great at 

Saba's executive capacity is largely in order. There is continuity of the quality on key positions, budgetary discipline is solid and unqualified audit opinions were issued repeatedly regarding the annual accounts. For the time being, the smallest of the BES islands is the one performing best. Cft's central message for Saba is therefore: “Keep up the good work!” 

PHILIPSBURG:--- Sint Maarten is famous for many things: its vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and the unique thrill of watching jumbo jets skim just feet above Maho Beach. This world-renowned spectacle draws visitors from across the globe, eager to experience the roar of engines and the incredible sight of aircraft on their final approach to Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM). To protect this experience for generations to come, local authorities have launched a crucial new initiative.

The Prosecutor's Office OM SXM, the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM), and the St. Maarten Civil Aviation Authority (SMCAA) have joined forces to introduce the "Respect the Sky – Fly Safe, Stay Safe" awareness campaign. This effort is designed to promote air safety and preserve the magic of the Maho Beach experience by educating residents and visitors about critical regulations. The campaign addresses specific dangers that threaten not only aircraft safety but also the well-being of people on the ground.

The Dual Threat: Drones and Flying Objects

The "Respect the Sky" campaign focuses on preventing two key dangers that have become prevalent at Maho Beach: unauthorized drone activity and throwing objects at low-flying aircraft. While these actions might seem harmless or exciting to some, they pose a significant and potentially catastrophic risk to air traffic.

Authorities emphasize that both practices are strictly prohibited by law. The area around Princess Juliana International Airport is a highly controlled airspace for a reason. Even a small, lightweight object can cause devastating damage if it collides with an aircraft. The campaign's message is clear: enjoy the spectacle, but do so responsibly and safely.

The Problem with Drones

Drones, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), have become increasingly popular for capturing stunning photos and videos. However, their presence near an active runway is extremely dangerous. A drone colliding with an aircraft can shatter a cockpit window, damage a control surface, or be ingested into an engine. The consequences of such an incident could be dire, endangering the lives of hundreds of passengers and crew members, as well as individuals on the beach below.

To mitigate this risk, Maho Beach and the surrounding approach zone for the airport are officially designated as "No Fly Zones" for drones. Flying a drone in this area is illegal without a specific exemption permit issued by the authorities.

The Danger of Thrown Objects

The second major concern is the trend of people throwing or launching items into the air as planes pass overhead. Objects like hats, sandals, phones, and even GoPros have been tossed toward the aircraft in attempts to create a viral video or simply as a reckless act.

Like drones, these objects can become dangerous projectiles. An object striking a sensitive part of the plane or being pulled into an engine can lead to severe mechanical failure. The goal of the "Respect the Sky" campaign is to make everyone understand that these actions are not harmless fun; they are serious offenses with potentially life-altering consequences.

Understanding the Legal Framework and Penalties

To underscore the seriousness of these violations, Sint Maarten has established a robust legal framework with severe penalties for offenders. The campaign aims to ensure everyone is aware of these laws and the repercussions of breaking them.

Drone Regulations

Under Ministerial Decree 2019/223 and the Luchtvaartlandsverordening (National Ordinance on Aviation), it is illegal to operate a drone in the designated No Fly Zone around the airport without proper authorization. Anyone who intentionally violates this regulation faces severe legal consequences, including:

• Up to two (2) years of imprisonment.

• A fine of up to XCG 100,000 (approximately USD $55,555).

Laws Against Endangering Air Traffic

• For the act of throwing objects, the penalties are even more stringent. Articles 2:111a and 2:111b of the Penal Code address anyone who causes danger to air traffic through intentional or negligent actions. Intentional Acts: If a person willfully throws an object at an aircraft, they can face up to fifteen (15) years in prison or a fine of up to XCG 100,000 (USD $55,555).

• Negligent or Reckless Acts: Even if the act was not intentional but resulted from negligence or recklessness, an individual can face up to one (1) year of imprisonment or a fine of up to ANG 25,000 (approximately USD $13,873).

These penalties may seem harsh, but they exist for one simple reason: to protect human lives.

Safety First: Preserving the Maho Beach Experience

Authorities are quick to point out that the "Respect the Sky" campaign is not meant to discourage tourism or diminish the enjoyment of watching the planes land at SXM. On the contrary, its purpose is to ensure that this unique attraction can continue safely and responsibly for everyone.

The campaign is an act of preservation. By enforcing these rules, Sint Maarten is protecting a landmark experience, safeguarding its residents and visitors, and ensuring the continued safe operation of its international airport. The message is one of shared responsibility. We all have a part to play in keeping the skies and the shores safe.

How You Can Help

Residents and visitors are encouraged to be vigilant and report any violations. Your awareness and cooperation are essential to the success of this campaign.

• For more information and safety updates, you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call +1 (721) 545-2024.
• To report a suspected violation, such as illegal drone use or object throwing, contact the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) immediately by calling +1 (721) 542-2222.

By respecting the sky, we ensure that the breathtaking spectacle of Maho Beach remains a safe and awe-inspiring experience for all.