PHILIPSBURG:--- From 14 to 20 June, the Netherlands forces in the Caribbean will conduct a hurricane emergency response exercise on the Windward Islands. Central to this exercise is the cooperation with various local safety and emergency response partners on Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius. The purpose of the training is to ensure that military personnel can be deployed quickly and effectively in the event of a real hurricane threat. Following their deployment to the islands, small-scale activities will take place across the three locations. Units will also use their time on the islands to familiarize themselves with the local terrain and to engage with relevant stakeholders, including government organizations, non-governmental organizations, and companies that play a key role in disaster response. The majority of the military personnel involved are already stationed in the Caribbean region. Participating units include personnel from the Marine Detachment Sint Maarten, the Marine Squadron Carib (based in Aruba), the naval support ship HNLMS Pelikaan, FRISC vessels, and several supporting units from both the Royal Netherlands Navy and the Netherlands Marine Corps. By conducting this training on the Windward Islands, the armed forces aim to be ready to provide emergency aid and conduct rescue operations immediately following the passage of a hurricane. Providing military assistance during natural disasters such as hurricanes is one of the core tasks of the Dutch Armed Forces in the Caribbean. During such missions, military units support the civil authorities and contribute to maintaining public order and safety.
Windward Roads Completes Restitution Projects related to Larimar Case.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Windward Roads Infrastructure N.V. (WWR) has completed its US $2 million restitution stemming from the Larimar corruption case. This restitution was fulfilled through the execution of infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing the sewage system in Sint Maarten.
In March 2020, as part of a settlement with the Prosecutorโs Office Sint Maarten OM SXM, WWR agreed to undertake infrastructure projects valued at US $2 million. This agreement served as restitution for the companyโs involvement in the Larimar case, which uncovered bribery and corruption involving several entities and individuals, including former WWR director J.H.B. and former Member of Parliament T.H.
In May 2021, the Foga Sewage Pump Station project commenced, marking the first phase of the restitution efforts. This project, valued at approximately US $677,256, involved constructing a new pumping station to transport sewage from Sucker Garden to the A. Th. Illidge Road wastewater treatment plant.
WWR began work on part of the Dutch Quarter Sewage Project in August 2023, marking the final phase of the restitution commitment. This project included the construction of a new sewage pumping station, upgrading the sewerage network, dismantling existing pumping stations, and installing new sewerage systems and house connections in the Dutch Quarter area. Completion was achieved in February 2024, thereby fulfilling the total restitution amount agreed upon in the settlement.
Throughout these projects, WWR provided all labor, materials, and related services at no cost to the Government of Sint Maarten. The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Development, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) oversaw the execution to ensure compliance and quality.
OM SXM stated that the restitution served both as a corrective measure and as a direct investment in the community. โThe projects related to the restitution have meaningfully improved the public infrastructure, while signaling that corporate misconduct will not go unchecked,โ OM SXM said.
๐๐ง๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ข๐ง๐ญe ๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฐ ๐๐ก๐๐ฌ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฒ.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Justice has reached a pivotal milestone in its recovery efforts at Pointe Blanche Prison. All inmates, including those previously housed at the Foreign Detention Center and the Philipsburg Police Station, have now been returned to their designated cells within the facility. This marks an important step towards further stabilization.
The return of detainees from the Philipsburg Police Station followed a ruling by the Court of First Instance, which acknowledged the Ministryโs active response to the May 14 incident and instructed that those detainees be relocated to the prison within 24 hours. The Ministry complied in full, completing the transfers safely and efficiently.
๐๐ง๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ข๐ซ
The inmates transferred to Bonaire remain housed there, with their return to Sint Maarten planned for the medium term as part of the phased recovery process.
๐๐ง๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ ๐๐ฌ
The temporary suspension of inmate rights and privileges has been officially lifted. While the complete daily program is being gradually reintroduced, several key activities have already resumed. Inmates now have access to the large sports and exercise yard on a rotating schedule, along with gym sessions and music classes starting today. Some religious services have been held for the women, and access to the computer room will be reinstated gradually. In addition, the regular schedule for cleaning, maintenance, and kitchen assistance as part of the inmate labor program has also been reinstated.
In-person family visits will resume this Thursday, June 12, 2025, under the regular visitation schedule. The visiting room has been thoroughly cleaned, re-equipped, and prepared to accommodate friends and family safely.
As part of the broader reintegration focus, representatives from Probation Services visited the prison last week and confirmed that additional rehabilitation programs will be launched in the coming weeks, further strengthening the Ministryโs commitment to structured inmate support and reintegration.
๐๐ง๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ
Over the past week, the Prison Director held several meetings with the Inmatesโ Association to provide updates on the recovery process, address questions, and listen to concerns. Meetings were constructive and well-received, fostering continued cooperation during this phase. Summaries of each session were shared in writing and posted in common areas to ensure all inmates had access to the information discussed.
๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐ฉ๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฌ
To ensure ongoing health and safety, a primer layer is being applied to the scraped interior walls while we wait for the finishing paint to arrive. This protective measure allows for the continued safe use of the affected areas. All electrical work within the cell sections and the PIT was finalized, and a long-term security upgrade plan is being finalized.
๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ
Three guards from Aruba have departed today, while the remaining guards from Curacao continue to provide operational support.
๐๐๐ฌ๐ฉ๐จ๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
The Ministry reminds the public and media to refer only to official updates. In moments of crisis, misinformation can compromise progress and public trust. Transparency and accountability remain central to this Ministryโs values, and timely updates will continue to be provided as recovery efforts move forward.
Minister of Finance Shares Indexed Salary Scales for 2024 & 2025.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Finance remains committed to transparency and accessibility. As part of that commitment, we are pleased to publicly share the indexed salary scales for both 2024 and 2025.
These scales reflect the adjustments made in accordance with the approved salary indexation and serve as an important reference for civil servants and the broader public interested in joining the government workforce.
Kindly review the salary scales located on the last two pages of the document linked below:
https://tinyurl.com/SalaryScales2425
We encourage everyone to review the documents and stay informed about the latest developments related to public sector compensation.
GAIN and CHTA Forge Partnership to Accelerate Hospitality Tech and Innovation Across the Caribbean.
Miami, FL:--- Growth Advisors International Network (GAIN), a leading global advisory firm specializing in hospitality technology and innovation, and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), the regionโs leading hospitality association, proudly announce a strategic partnership designed to empower the Caribbean hospitality industry with transformative technology, education insights, and innovation-focused programming.
This optimized collaboration unites GAINโs deep expertise in hospitality technology and property transformation with CHTAโs unmatched regional membership network and commitment to advancing the Caribbean hotel and tourism sector. Together, the partners will deliver a suite of high-impact initiatives aimed at assisting Caribbean hoteliers and tourism professionals thrive in an increasingly competitive and technology-driven landscape.
โOur partnership with GAIN comes at a pivotal time as technology continues to reshape the hospitality industry,โ said Sanovnik Destang, President of CHTA. โThis collaboration enables us to bring timely education, expert insights, and real-world innovation strategies to our members, helping them navigate the complexities of digital transformation and build more resilient, future-ready businesses.โ
The partnership will deliver:
Thought Leadership Programming: A membership webinar series focused on topics like AI in hospitality, guest journey tech, revenue optimization, and sustainability.
Innovation Advisory: Optimized tech advisory sessions to guide CHTA members in digital strategy, system selection, and innovation planning.
Enhanced CHIEF Conference Collaboration: Expanded visibility and sponsorship opportunities at the Caribbean Hospitality Industry Exchange Forum (CHIEF), including GAINโs vendor sponsorship support and dedicated speaker stage presentations.
Vendor Preferred Status: Curated solutions and exclusive business models for CHTA membership properties, from leading hospitality technology vendors.
Co-Branded Initiatives: Joint marketing and communications, social media promotions, video features, and on-site visibility at key CHTA industry events.
โGAIN is honored to partner with CHTA, an organization that represents the backbone of the Caribbeanโs vibrant hospitality community,โ said Michael Cohen, Managing Partner at GAIN. โTogether, weโre committed to advising the regionโs hoteliers on harnessing technology and innovation to elevate the guest experience, improve operational efficiency, and drive sustainable growth.โ
This partnership reinforces both organizationsโ dedication to fostering a culture of innovation and excellence throughout the Caribbean hospitality sector.
For more information about GAIN and its services, visit www.gainadvisors.com. To learn more about CHTA and its initiatives, visit www.caribbeanhotelandtourism.com.