PHILIPSBURG:---  Former acting head of Pointe Blanche Prison Aartwich Bell has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after the Court of First Instance found him guilty on three counts involving repeated sexual abuse of a minor.

The Court delivered the judgment on October 22, 2026. The prosecution had requested a 12-year prison sentence.

In determining the punishment, the Court emphasized the seriousness and prolonged nature of Bell’s offenses, his grave abuse of trust and his failure to take responsibility for his actions.

The Court concluded that the proven offenses warranted a substantial, unconditional prison sentence. It considered sentencing guidelines and judgments in comparable cases before imposing the 10-year term.

Although Bell had no previous criminal convictions, the Court did not consider that sufficient grounds for a reduced sentence. It explained that previous convictions for similar offenses would instead have been an aggravating factor.

The Court also imposed a Cg 50,000 compensation order, plus statutory interest. The judgment provides for 225 days of substitute detention if payment or recovery fails, while expressly maintaining Bell’s obligation to pay.

According to the accompanying press release, Bell was arrested by the National Detectives on February 2, 2026, and has remained in custody. The court will deduct time spent in pre-trial detention from his sentence.

MARIGOT, Saint-Martin:--- Territorial Councilor and former Senator Annick Petrus says Louis-Constant Fleming Hospital has withdrawn defamation proceedings brought against her over a 2023 interview, and that she is seeking reimbursement of legal expenses paid by the Collectivité of Saint-Martin.

In a video statement, Petrus described the withdrawal as vindication of her decision to speak publicly about the hospital. She pledged to remain engaged on issues concerning the institution.

According to Petrus, the proceedings stemmed from an interview she gave on March 23, 2023. She said the hospital filed a complaint on June 21 that year, alleging that her remarks were defamatory.

Petrus credited her lawyer's arguments with challenging the case. She said that, following two postponements requested by the hospital’s lawyer, the opposing side ultimately abandoned the proceedings.

She characterized that decision as evidence that the action against her had been irregular and unjustified. In her view, the withdrawal also amounted to an implicit acknowledgment that her comments were legitimate.

Those conclusions represent Petrus’s interpretation of the withdrawal. The statement provided does not include a court decision establishing that the proceedings were improper or ruling on the substance of the disputed remarks.

Request to Recover Taxpayer-Funded Legal Expenses

Petrus said she has instructed her lawyer to ask the court to reimburse the Collectivité for the legal expenses incurred in her defense.

She explained that, as an elected representative, she benefited from protection fonctionnelle, under which the Collectivité covered her legal defense.

Her request therefore concerns recovering public expenditure, not personal reimbursement.

According to Petrus, the court’s response to that request is expected on December 15.

The video statement does not specify the amount being sought or provide supporting court documents detailing the withdrawal and the outstanding costs application.

“Never Remain Silent”

Petrus closed her message by urging people to speak out when confronted with injustice and reaffirming her commitment to matters affecting Louis-Constant Fleming Hospital.

Her message was clear: the legal proceedings had not deterred her from continuing to raise concerns.

The material provided to SMN News did not include the hospital's reasons for withdrawing the proceedings. Its position on Petrus’s account and her request for reimbursement remains to be established.

PHILIPSBURG:---The Minister of Finance has noted the press briefing delivered by the Minister of VROMI on October 21, 2026, which informed the public that the proposed road and infrastructure program for 2027 is approaching a historic investment of Cg 9 million.

The Minister of Finance applauds this achievement, which is the result of a collective effort by the Ministry of VROMI and the Ministry of Finance. This significant investment is welcome news for the people, businesses, and tourism sector of Sint Maarten, as improvements to the road network and infrastructure are essential to the country’s continued development and economic growth.

However, certain remarks made during the press briefing may have caused misunderstandings, particularly the suggestion that the Ministry of Finance requested a further delay in fully implementing the Road Fund because of pressing financial issues. The Minister of Finance wishes to clarify the circumstances surrounding the fund’s implementation and the steps being taken to advance this process.

Background and Legal Framework of the Road Fund

The National Ordinance Road Fund established the Road Fund, which entered into force on October 10, 2010. The ordinance stipulates, among other things, that the fund is financed through revenue generated from motor vehicle taxes.

The Minister of VROMI administers the Road Fund. Under the Minister’s supervision, the Minister entrusts the Head of the Department of New Works with day-to-day management, in accordance with instructions established by the Minister.

In September 2024, the General Audit Chamber presented its review, “Allocation of Motor Vehicle Tax 2022–2024,” which included recommendations on the Road Fund and the allocation of motor vehicle tax revenues.

In December 2025, the Minister of VROMI announced the decision to establish the Road Fund as a foundation, with operations intended to commence on January 1, 2027. Under this proposed structure, the foundation would receive funding through a subsidy. For this arrangement to become operational, the necessary legislative and regulatory framework must first be established and implemented.

Because this framework had not yet been established when preparing the 2027 budget, the proposed new structure could not be fully incorporated into the budget in its intended form.

This circumstance should not, however, be interpreted as a lack of commitment to the Road Fund or to improving Sint Maarten’s road infrastructure.

Funding Secured for the 2027 Road and Infrastructure Program

Despite outstanding legislative and regulatory requirements, the Ministry of Finance worked closely with the Ministry of VROMI during budget preparation to ensure sufficient funding for the 2027 road and infrastructure program.

As a result of this collaboration, the 2027 capital budget includes Cg 9 million for road and infrastructure investments, a historically high allocation.

As part of the phased implementation of the Road Fund in 2027, the Ministry of VROMI will begin with an initial allocation of Cg 5 million from collected road taxes. This amount will be allocated as follows:

• Cg 1.5 million will be incorporated directly into operational expenditures to support the operationalization of the Road Fund.
• Cg 3.5 million will finance capital expenditure improvements to the road network through the Road Fund.

Of the Cg 9 million included in the capital budget for road and infrastructure investments, the Road Fund will finance Cg 3.5 million, while the remaining Cg 5.5 million will be financed through a loan to be secured.

Furthermore, beginning in 2028, revenue from motor vehicle taxes will be directed to the Road Fund, supporting its continued development and the sustainable financing of road infrastructure improvements.

Continued Commitment to Full Implementation

The Minister of Finance welcomes these developments and emphasizes that cooperation between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of VROMI remains essential to ensuring the effective and sustainable financing of Sint Maarten’s road infrastructure.

The phased approach for 2027 allows the necessary steps to operationalize the Road Fund to proceed while ensuring critical road and infrastructure investments can move forward.

The Minister of Finance reiterates her commitment to supporting the Ministry of VROMI, within the applicable legal and budgetary framework, in advancing the necessary measures toward the timely and full implementation of the Road Fund.

“Our shared priority is to ensure that the people of Sint Maarten benefit from improved roads and infrastructure. The historic Cg 9 million allocation for 2027 demonstrates what our ministries can achieve through cooperation. We remain committed to working together to establish the necessary framework and ensure the sustainable financing of our road network for the benefit of our people, businesses, and tourism sector.”

— Minister of Finance, Sint Maarten

PHILIPSBURG:---  Sint Maarten’s culinary and mixology talent will compete against teams from 14 other Caribbean destinations when Taste of the Caribbean 2026 takes place in Barbados from November 16 to 19.

The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) announced the participating destinations on October 20, confirming an expanded competition program at Wyndham Sam Lord’s Castle All-Inclusive Resort.

Three new competitions—Beef, Seafood, and Vodka—will give participating chefs and bartenders more opportunities to showcase their skills on a regional stage.

Sint Maarten joins Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, Curaçao, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The announcement did not identify the individual members of Sint Maarten’s team.

Seven Competition Categories

This year’s program features seven categories: Chef of the Year, Junior Chef of the Year, Pastry Chef of the Year, Bartender of the Year, and the new Beef, Seafood and Vodka competitions.

Select teams will enter the Beef and Seafood competitions, which will test competitors’ techniques with proteins widely featured on Caribbean menus. The Vodka competition adds another platform for mixologists alongside the established Bartender of the Year contest.

Competitors will prepare dishes and drinks under the pressure of live competition, drawing on ingredients, culinary traditions, and contemporary techniques from their destinations.

For Sint Maarten’s representatives, the event offers an opportunity to showcase the island’s food and beverage expertise while exchanging ideas with professionals from across the Caribbean.

Training Alongside Competition

Beyond the competition, Taste of the Caribbean will feature educational sessions led by regional and international partners, including Certified Angus Beef, the National Watermelon Promotion Board, and the U.S. Meat Export Federation.

CHTA describes the event as a platform for professional development, allowing participants to sharpen their skills, receive feedback from judges and build relationships with industry peers.

Junior competitors will also gain experience performing before a regional audience and working to demanding competition standards.

Registered attendees can watch the competitions and support participating teams.

Regional Awards and Hospitality Forum

The event will culminate in the Taste of the Caribbean Awards, recognizing the Caribbean Chef of the Year, Junior Chef of the Year, Pastry Chef of the Year, and Bartender of the Year, alongside winners of the new competitions and additional product-specific honors.

Taste of the Caribbean will run concurrently with the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum, known as CHIEF. The gathering brings hospitality leaders together for workshops and discussions on challenges and opportunities in Caribbean tourism.

CHTA has also announced special accommodation rates at the host resort. According to the association, attendees booking at least two nights qualify for a $150 credit applied to their entire stay. Airline partners interCaribbean Airways and Winair are offering special fares for travel to the event.

Further travel and accommodation information is available at chtataste.com/travel-accommodations.