PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is investigating a serious traffic accident that occurred on the Causeway on February 4th, 2026, just before 2:00 p.m.

Police Dispatch received several calls reporting the accident, which took place shortly after coming off the Causeway bridge on the Union Road side. As a result of the collision, four people sustained injuries. One male victim suffered a head injury with bleeding and was rushed to the Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) for medical treatment.

The Traffic Department responded to the scene and has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident. At this time, the exact cause of the incident remains unclear.

Further information will be provided as it becomes available.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The political theater in St. Maarten reached a new low today, and the audience—the hardworking frontline workers of this country—is tired of the show. Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina took to the podium during today’s press briefing, Feb 4th, 2026, offering a masterclass in deflection and bureaucratic word salad while the very people who keep this island safe continue to suffer.
Dr. Mercelina admitted openly that it has been "years of struggle" for these workers. He acknowledged the ongoing disputes with the union and the fire department. Yet, when pressed for solutions, we got nothing but political maneuvering. He talks of "covenants," "placement processes," and "commitment letters that could be transferred into agreement letters." This is not leadership; it is stalling.
The Prime Minister claims he is "careful" because he cannot "a priori agree" with items without a legal basis. But to the firefighter waiting for retroactive payment, or the frontline worker desperate for a finalized function book, these are just excuses. While Mercelina plays politics with words, the real-world effects hit home for families trying to put food on the table. He offers committees and mediators when what is needed is action and a signature.
But the failure doesn't stop at the Prime Minister’s office. It rots right through the heart of Parliament.
We must ask: How does a coalition boasting 9 seats fail to secure a quorum for urgent national business? It is an embarrassment of governance. The Prime Minister points fingers at the opposition for not showing up, but the responsibility to govern lies with the majority. If you have the mandate, show up to work.
We are hearing reports that MP Viren Kotai is attending a religious function overseas. Is this function more critical than the governance of the country? Is it more important than the health of MP Doran? The priorities of this coalition are skewed beyond recognition. When personal engagements trump parliamentary duty, the entire system is broken.
And then there is MP Ludmilla de Weever. Her political stance is as stable as a leaf in the wind. One minute she is staging walkouts with opposition members, disrupting the flow of governance. Then next, she cannot hold the government accountable by voting on the motion. Which is it? She professes undying support for the frontline workers, yet her actions in Parliament do nothing to advance their cause. You cannot claim to support the workers while actively participating in the chaos that delays their relief.
Chair of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams and her colleagues are gambling with the livelihoods of our first responders. They are treating the serious business of governance like a game of musical chairs, where the only losers are the people of St. Maarten.
The frontline workers don't need more "commitment letters" or "mediators." They don't need MPs who walk out one day and shrug their shoulders the next. They need a government that shows up, sits down, and gets the job done. Anything less is a betrayal of the public trust.

PHILIPSBURG:---The House of Parliament will sit in a Public meeting on February 5, 2026.

The Public meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 10.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda points are:
1. Incoming documents
2. Advice on the proposal by the Committee for Petitions on the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee related to NV GEBE

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.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament and www.pearlfmradio.sx

PHILIPSBURG:--- Day Three of the Strategic Economic Stakeholder Consultation Workshop moved the national conversation into deeper, more candid territory as government leaders and stakeholders gathered to examine policy alignment through economic, social, and labour lenses.
Described by participants as “not the most glamorous topic — but certainly one of the most necessary,” the morning session featured keynote presentations that challenged traditional thinking and advocated greater synchronization across sectors.
Reading Beyond Ourselves: Policy in Perspective
Opening the session, Senior Policy Advisor Jessica Rogers delivered a presentation centered on economic realities, policy modernization, and the need for cross-sector synchronization. Rogers emphasized that Sint Maarten does not lack ideas or initiatives but suffers from fragmentation, noting that progress slows when policies operate in silos rather than aligning with one another.
Her presentation emphasized that stakeholders must learn to read beyond their own interests, engaging with policies even when they do not directly affect their sector or personal interests. From TEATT’s perspective, the Ministry’s role is to examine dilemmas, challenges, and successes holistically, ensuring that economic growth, infrastructure planning, tourism development, and social realities are aligned.
Referencing current policy priorities, Rogers outlined why certain policies require modernization, including energy strategy, transportation frameworks, and investment diversification initiatives, stressing that conversations taking place this week are critical to updating policies for today’s realities. She reinforced that Sint Maarten’s economic pressures, ranging from infrastructure strain to housing and carrying-capacity challenges, require coordinated action rather than isolated decision-making.

Final Presentation - Stakeholde… Development and Its Social Footprint.

Following the economic policy discussion, Acting Department Head of Social Development Sharilyn Bryson presented a historical and social perspective, tracing Sint Maarten’s journey from the early 1900s to today. Her presentation illustrated how decades of development, migration, tourism expansion, and external shocks have shaped the island’s social well-being.
Bryson highlighted that while development has brought opportunity, it has also introduced complex social challenges, including an ageing population, rising cost of living, housing pressures, and evolving health concerns. Participants were reminded that economic advancement cannot be viewed in isolation from social realities, as every stage of growth leaves an imprint on communities and national well-being.
Her message underscored the importance of acknowledging historical trends when crafting future policy, encouraging stakeholders to consider the long-term social implications of economic decisions.

Labour Realities: “The Time for the People Is Now”
Closing the keynote segment, Division Head of Labor Affairs and Social Services Peggy Ann-Dros delivered a direct and unfiltered presentation on labour market realities, emphasizing that while data is widely available, the real challenge lies in how it is interpreted and applied.
Ann-Dros spoke candidly about recurring policy cycles, noting that terms such as resilience, strategic, and collaboration have been used repeatedly over the years without always producing tangible change. Her presentation addressed the realities faced by the labour department, including instances where employment permit applications were denied due to qualified local candidates being available, yet recruitment practices favored foreign hires, a phenomenon she described as ethnic recruitment.
She further highlighted legal and policy gaps that complicate decision-making, noting that in some cases, court rulings have upheld outcomes that expose weaknesses in existing policy frameworks. The presentation emphasized that balancing local protection, cultural dynamics, and investment remains one of Sint Maarten’s most pressing labour dilemmas, requiring decisive reform and stronger alignment between data, policy, and enforcement.

A Unified Message Despite Different Styles
Although each speaker approached the discussion from a different angle, economic policy, social development, and labour market reform, a common thread emerged throughout the morning session: Sint Maarten’s challenges are interconnected, and solutions must reflect a holistic national approach.
The session reinforced the workshop’s overarching theme, “Addressing Sint Maarten’s Crossroads; Charting a New Way Forward,” highlighting that meaningful progress will require honest dialogue, synchronized policies, and a willingness to confront difficult realities.
The Strategic Economic Stakeholder Consultation Workshop continues throughout the week at the Belair Community Center, bringing together government, private sector, and community voices to help shape the country’s forthcoming Strategic Economic Development Plan.