PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) continues to intensify its efforts in combating drug-related crimes across the island. Detectives from various specialized units have recently made several arrests in connection with ongoing investigations into the import and export of illegal narcotics.

On April 7, 2026, based on an arrest warrant, suspect R.J.L., aged 36, was arrested in connection with the importation of soft drugs into Sint Maarten. The suspect was subsequently questioned and remains in police custody pending further investigation. This investigation is being carried out by the Alpha Team.

In a separate investigation, on April 8, 2026, suspect Q.C.A., aged 22, was arrested based on an arrest warrant for his involvement in the export of hard drugs. Following the arrest, a house search was conducted in the Middle Region area. The suspect has been questioned and remains in custody pending further investigation. This case is being handled by the Pelican Team, which specializes in cross-border investigations related to drugs and firearms.

Drug trafficking and abuse continue to pose a serious threat not only to Sint Maarten, but to communities across the Caribbean and the international community at large. The illegal drug trade fuels a cycle of crime that often includes violence, firearm-related offenses, money laundering, and the expansion of organized criminal networks. These activities place significant strain on law enforcement and judicial systems. From a regional and international perspective, drug trafficking undermines cooperation between countries and threatens economic stability.

KPSM continues to work closely with regional and international partners to combat these threats. A coordinated and sustained approach remains essential in disrupting drug trafficking networks and protecting the safety, stability, and prosperity of our community.

PHILIPSBURG/THE HAGUE:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) of Sint Maarten has formally brought a growing constitutional dispute to the attention of Dutch lawmakers, sending a detailed letter to the committees for Kingdom Relations of both the Dutch Second Chamber and First Chamber.

In the letter, Minister Richinel Brug shared a legal advisory concerning the role and authority of the Governor, amid escalating tensions within the St. Maarten government. The correspondence, addressed directly to parliamentary bodies in The Hague, included an expert opinion by Aruban legal scholar Mr. Dr. Ryond R. Santos do Nascimento.

The minister emphasized the importance of restoring confidence in the office of the Governor, particularly after recent actions by Prime Minister Mercelina, who had sought independent academic advice questioning the Governor’s conduct.

Legal Dispute at the Center of Controversy

The underlying conflict dates back to January 2026, when the Minister of General Affairs imposed an order measure on a civil servant serving as Chief of Staff to the VSA Minister. The measure restricted access to government facilities and initiated an investigation.

However, a March 6 ruling by the Court of Civil Servants determined that the minister acted outside his legal authority. The court concluded that such powers rest exclusively with the Governor under existing law.

Conflicting Legal Opinions

The situation intensified after Dutch legal expert Prof. Dr. Arjen van Rijn issued advice suggesting a more limited role for the Governor. That interpretation has now been challenged in the advisory sent by Minister Brug.

In his analysis, Santos argues that Van Rijn’s conclusions are based on incomplete facts and a flawed legal framework. He maintains that the Governor has an independent constitutional duty and cannot be reduced to merely endorsing ministerial decisions.

Government Divisions Exposed

The dispute also revealed internal divisions within the Council of Ministers. While the Minister of General Affairs pushed forward with disciplinary action, the VSA Minister opposed the move, resulting in a lack of unified government position.

The Governor subsequently intervened by requesting further deliberation and refraining from signing a proposed suspension decree. Later decisions by the Council of Ministers were also deemed legally invalid when not taken by or on behalf of the Governor.

Constitutional Stakes

At the core of the issue is the constitutional role of the Governor within Sint Maarten’s governance system. As the King's representative, the Governor holds both formal authority and a duty to safeguard legality.

The advisory stresses that the Governor must independently assess decisions and cannot be compelled to approve measures lacking a proper legal foundation.

Wider Implications

By escalating the matter to Dutch parliamentary committees, the VSA Minister has effectively internationalized the dispute, signaling its importance for the broader Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Observers say the case could have lasting implications for the balance of power between ministers and constitutional authorities across the Dutch Caribbean.

Source: Letter and attached advisory submitted by the Sint Maarten Minister of VSA to Dutch parliamentary committees, March 31, 2026.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Permanent Committee of Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry (CAFAH) of Parliament will be meeting on April 9, 2026.  

The Committee meeting, which was adjourned on March 13, 2026, will be reconvened on Thursday at 11.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. Representatives of the Native Nations will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:

Presentation by Native Nations on the proposed regulatory model for the legalization and regulation of cannabis in Sint Maarten (IS/ 410/2025-2026 dated December 2, 2025)

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg. 

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org; www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament and www.pearlfmradio.sx

PHILIPSBURG(DCOMM):---  The American University of the Caribbean (AUC) School of Medicine, in collaboration with the Positive Foundation and the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA), hosted a successful free breast and health screening event in Philipsburg on March 28.

To date, the total number of local women served within the breast screening project is 756, with the target goal of 1000. Over 250 students benefited from the project's educational components, which will continue next academic semester.

More than a dozen AUC students under the supervision of clinical medicine fellows, Drs. Simelda and Skinner provided women with general health assessments that include taking a history, checking vital signs, calculating body/mass index, measuring waist circumference, visual acuity, blood glucose, and cholesterol level.

Each screening also included a free clinical breast examination by Dr. Naira Chobanyan, clinical oncologist and professor of clinical medicine at AUC. 

The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Richinel Brug, paid a courtesy visit to the screening session.

"These screenings are a vital service to our community, providing women with the opportunity to take proactive steps in monitoring their health. I commend AUC, CPS, and the Positive Foundation for their dedication to improving breast health awareness and early detection,” said Minister Brug.

The educational part of the participants includes a presentation of the risk factors for breast cancer, demonstration of the clinical breast exam and breast abnormalities on plastic models, as well as assessment of individual risk for breast cancer in participating women over 35. 

Results of this study are vital for understanding the prevalence of breast abnormalities within population of Sint Maarten. All results will be reported to the Ministry of Health. Social Development and Labor to help establish policies for the screening of breast abnormalities and cancer.

Major educational outcome of this project is development of Learners-as-Educators model, which is unique teaching tool for medical students to cascade medical knowledge from Faculty to Fellows to Medical Students to Community.

It was developed by Dr. Chobanyan, a principal-investigator of the project from AUC team.  For medical students and clinical medicine fellows, each health and breast screening event is an opportunity to work side-by-side with patients while practicing clinical and communication skills.

Students spend much of their time explaining the signs, symptoms, and risk factors of breast cancer, and answering questions about personal breast health and self-care.

In addition to the benefits this research brings to the community of Sint Maarten breast cancer awareness and education, clinical fellows and medical students are afforded an opportunity to gain real-world clinical experience. 

By working with real patients, conducting interviews, and performing an overall health assessment, medical students could enhance their preparedness for clinical rotations.