PHILIPSBURG: ---  The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) has concluded a week of intelligence-led operations, resulting in multiple arrests, the recovery of stolen vehicles, and a clampdown on traffic violations. The targeted actions, which ran from December 29, 2024, to January 5, 2025, were part of the force's ongoing efforts to enhance public safety and maintain order across the territory.

Strategic Deployment at Known Hotspots

Using intelligence gathered over recent months, KPSM officers adjusted their deployment strategies to focus on known hotspots. This data-driven approach allowed focused surveillance and preventive searches aimed at disrupting criminal activity. Throughout the week, officers conducted 17 vehicle inspections and subjected 75 individuals to preventive searches under the Weapons Ordinance to ensure public safety.

Notable Incidents and Arrests

Several key incidents marked the week's operations. In one case, an individual was arrested at a hotspot for non-compliance and verbal assault. The suspect repeatedly refused to provide identification to officers and became verbally abusive. After resisting arrest, the individual was subdued and taken to the police station.

In another significant action, officers recovered a stolen Hyundai H-100 pickup truck. During a preventive search, police noted that the vehicle's ignition had been forced. A check confirmed the truck was reported stolen from the French side of the island. The driver was arrested on suspicion of possessing stolen property, and the vehicle was seized.

A second stolen vehicle, a Suzuki APV van, was also recovered. Officers observed the van driving suspiciously and signaled it to stop. The driver, identified as known suspect D.N., fled the scene. The abandoned vehicle was later located, and a check with Central Dispatch confirmed it was stolen. The rightful owner was contacted, and the van was returned.

Focus on Traffic Enforcement

KPSM also took firm action against traffic violators, with a particular focus on scooter documentation and license plate visibility. Officers impounded 13 scooters whose operators could not produce valid ownership or insurance documents. It was noted that several of these operators had previously retrieved their impounded vehicles without regularizing their paperwork, leading to their scooters being impounded a second time.

Additionally, two drivers were arrested for document forgery after they were found using fraudulent insurance documents.

Police are also reminding the public about license plate regulations. Officers will continue to conduct controls on vehicles with license plates obscured by dark plastic coverings or other materials. These coverings, which make vehicle identification difficult, are illegal. Drivers found in violation will be instructed to remove the covers and may face further enforcement action.

A Continued Commitment to Safety

The week-long operation yielded four total arrests, the recovery of two stolen vehicles, and the impounding of 13 scooters. The KPSM emphasized that these targeted actions are not a one-time event but part of a sustained commitment to crime prevention, traffic safety, and the enforcement of the law throughout Sint Maarten. The public can expect these operations to continue as the police force works to ensure a safe environment for all residents and visitors.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Windward Islands Civil Servants Union-Private Sector Union (WICSU-PSU), led by President Sharon Cangieter, has called on Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs Dr. Luc Mercelina to address several unresolved issues affecting the Fire Department urgently. In a letter dated January 5, 2026, the union expressed concerns over delays in finalizing a mediation agreement and other outstanding matters, emphasizing the need for immediate action to restore trust and resolve ongoing labor disputes.
The mediation agreement, submitted to the Ministry of General Affairs on December 22, 2025, was intended to end the Fire Department's "go-slow" action. However, the union has yet to receive a response or acknowledgment of receipt, leaving its members feeling disrespected and neglected.

The letter highlights the critical role of firefighters and ambulance personnel, who work tirelessly without the luxury of holiday breaks, and underscores the urgency of resolving their grievances.
President Cangieter noted that, while the appointed mediator was on vacation during the holiday period, she had remained available for the signing of the agreement. However, the lack of clarity regarding whether the Deputy Prime Minister was authorized to sign on behalf of Dr. Mercelina has further delayed progress. The union expressed disappointment over the perceived lack of seriousness in addressing the matter.
In addition to the mediation agreement, the union is seeking a response to a letter dated December 3, 2025, concerning the placement process outlined in the "Revised Function Book for the Fire Department and ICT." The union has requested that the placement process be halted due to significant uncertainties and a lack of clarity regarding procedures.
The Ministry's issuance of a letter during the ongoing mediation process has raised concerns about the government's commitment to meaningful consultation and to respecting the firefighters' cause.
The union has called for the signing of the mediation agreement by January 7 or 8, 2026, to formally conclude the "go-slow" action. It also reaffirmed that all matters related to the mediation and negotiations should be addressed within the agreed framework and not unilaterally implemented.
President Cangieter, who will be off-island, urged the government to finalize the matter before her departure. She emphasized that further delays would only exacerbate the strained situation and called for urgent attention to ensure clarity, fairness, and sound labor relations.
The letter was copied to key stakeholders, including the mediator, members of the Fire and Ambulance Department negotiation teams, and senior government officials.
As the Fire Department continues to await resolution, the union remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for its members' rights and ensuring that their concerns are addressed with the seriousness they deserve.

PHILIPSBURG:---Member of Parliament and Vice Chair of the Justice Committee in parliament, Lyndon Lewis, has taken note of the press release issued by the NAPB Police Union concerning the ongoing challenges faced by justice personnel and the outstanding commitments within the Ministry of Justice.
MP Lewis also acknowledges the steps the Ministry of Justice has taken to address long-standing issues within the justice sector. However, as the Union clearly highlights, these efforts remain incomplete and have yet to deliver the tangible results that justice workers rightfully deserve. The continued delays regarding the issuance of National decrees (“LB’s”), retroactive overtime payments, jubilee payments, and the proper finalization of Phase One of the placement process for justice personnel are deeply concerning and cannot be ignored. “I initiated Batch 7 to 13 in six months and three weeks in office, yet this administration can’t complete one batch of its own in nearly 14 months in office. "These delays also affect the Justice pensioners, some of whom have already passed on, and those who are still alive might not get the chance to enjoy what is due to them. Lewis stated.

Justice personnel have served the Sint Maarten community with dedication, professionalism, and sacrifice for many years—often under challenging conditions and without full compensation. It is unacceptable that, more than a decade after 10/10/10, many workers are still awaiting corrected National Decrees and payments owed to them. These delays not only affect the financial stability of justice workers and their families but also erode morale and confidence in the reform process.
While public communication, such as the recent “Justice Fruit” video by the Honorable Minister of Justice N. Tackling, may have been intended to highlight progress, MP Lewis stresses that messaging must be aligned with the lived realities of justice personnel. Celebrating achievements while core obligations remain unfulfilled risks deepening frustration among those who continue to wait for justice in their own employment matters.

MP Lewis fully supports the Union’s call for the urgent completion of Phase One of the placement process and the immediate commencement of Phase Two.
MP Lewis calls on the Minister responsible and, by extension, the Government and all responsible authorities to prioritize these matters without further delay. Justice workers deserve fairness, respect, and lawful compensation for services rendered. I will continue to play my role as a Member of Parliament in holding the executive branch accountable to ensure that all outstanding commitments to justice personnel are fully and finally honored.

NEW YORK:--- Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, made their first appearance in a U.S. federal court on Monday, following their dramatic capture by U.S. forces in Caracas over the weekend. The operation, dubbed “Operation Absolute Resolve,” was authorized by President Donald Trump and has sparked international controversy.

Charges and Court Appearance

Maduro, 66, and Flores, 69, face multiple charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. The couple appeared before U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein in the Southern District of New York. Both pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Trump administration has labeled Maduro’s regime as “illegitimate,” citing rigged elections, including the disputed 2024 presidential election. Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez has assumed leadership in Caracas, though her position remains contentious.

Detention and Security

The couple is being held in solitary confinement at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, a facility notorious for housing high-profile inmates such as Mexican drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán. Security around the detention center has been heightened, with heavily armed law enforcement patrolling the area.

International Reactions

The operation has drawn sharp criticism from several countries, including Russia and China, which have condemned the U.S. action as a violation of international law. The United Nations has also expressed concerns about the potential destabilization of the region.

Cuba, a long-time ally of Venezuela, mourned the loss of 32 Cuban citizens who were reportedly killed during the U.S. strikes in Caracas. Meanwhile, Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized the U.S. intervention, emphasizing the importance of respecting national sovereignty.

What’s Next?

Maduro’s legal team is expected to challenge the legality of his arrest, arguing that he is immune from prosecution as a sovereign head of state. The case is likely to be a prolonged legal battle with significant geopolitical implications.

As the world watches, the situation in Venezuela remains tense. Acting President Rodríguez has called for cooperation with the U.S. while condemning the military operation as a violation of international law. Venezuelans, both at home and abroad, are grappling with the uncertainty of their country’s future.