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.

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS:---  In a sharp rebuke of escalating geopolitical tensions, Prime Minister Mia Mottley has issued a stark warning about the perilous position of small island nations caught in the crossfire of international power struggles. Addressing the unfolding crisis in Venezuela, Mottley did not mince words, describing the Caribbean as "uncharted territory" where small states are forced to navigate the "testicular fortitude" of larger powers.

The Prime Minister's comments come as Barbados grapples with immediate logistical disruptions to its airspace and ports, consequences she attributes directly to the friction between major global players. Her address highlighted a growing frustration among Caribbean nations that find their stability threatened by conflicts they did not start.

"Conflict Has Consequences"

For Barbados, the impact of the Venezuelan crisis is not theoretical; it is immediate and economic. Mottley confirmed that the island's tourism and logistics hubs—vital lifelines for the economy—have already faced disruptions.

"We are not naive," Mottley stated, addressing the nation. "We understand that where large powers contend... that may have negative impact and implications for small countries such as ours."

She emphasized that the disruptions at the Grant Adams International Airport and the Bridgetown port affect more than just travelers; they strike at the livelihoods of ordinary citizens. "Not only wealthy people visit our nation," she noted, underscoring the vulnerability of the local economy to external shocks.

A Rules-Based Order Under Siege

Central to Mottley’s critique is the erosion of the international rules-based order, a framework she argues is existential for small states. She expressed deep concern over the "blatant breach" of international norms, suggesting that the world is regressing to a more dangerous, unstable era.

"In 2018, when I first addressed the United Nations, I said then that this world looks too much like it did a hundred years ago," Mottley recalled. "Regrettably, I have come to rue the day that I made that comment."

The Prime Minister painted a picture of a region lurching from "crisis to crisis"—from pandemics and cost-of-living surges to climate disasters and now, geopolitical instability. She argued that the current global environment leaves little room for "mature conversation," urging a de-escalation of hostilities before the fallout becomes unmanageable.

Navigating the Storm

Despite the critical tone, Mottley's message was also one of resilience and pragmatic leadership. She described the government’s current strategy as "perfecting the art of walking in between the raindrops," a metaphor for the precise and cautious diplomacy required to protect national interests without alienating powerful allies like the United States or Venezuela.

While maintaining that both nations remain "friends" of Barbados, she firmly aligned the country's foreign policy with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), prioritizing regional unity over unilateral alignment.

"Small states can only survive in an international rules-based order," she reiterated. "Anything that happens that runs contrary to that would be of grave concern to us as a people."

As tensions continue to simmer in Caracas, Mottley's words serve as a potent reminder that in the "playground" of global politics, it is often the smallest nations that suffer the most immediate bruising.