PHILIPSBURG: --- On October 15, 2025, at the Governor's Symposium held at the American University of the Caribbean, Drs. Eugene B. Holiday, President of the Holiday Institute, delivered a powerful keynote address reflecting on Sint Maarten's 15-year journey as a self-governing country. His speech, "Fulfilling the Promise of Country Status, A Vision Driven Journey," offered a comprehensive look at the nation's past, a candid assessment of its present, and a bold vision for its future.

Dr. Holiday began by inviting all citizens to unite as "fellow custodians of Sint Maarten's future," proposing a shared vision: "Sint Maarten as the Gold Standard for progress, governance, and Innovation in our region." This ambitious goal sets the stage for a deep dive into the meaning and challenges of self-governance.

The Promise of 10-10-10

On October 10, 2010, Sint Maarten became a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, a status born from its people's "unwavering belief in our right of self-determination." Dr. Holiday defined the promise of country status as a commitment to responsible self-governance aimed at building a strong nation and improving the well-being of its people, guided by local values and needs within a framework of cooperation.

This milestone was not easily achieved. It was the culmination of over a century of calls for greater autonomy, solidified by a June 2000 referendum where nearly 70% of voters chose country status. What followed was a decade of intense and often "tense and heated" negotiations.

The central issue was defining the boundaries between Sint Maarten's authority and the Kingdom's oversight. Debates raged over financial supervision, law enforcement, and the very definition of self-governance. The process, which involved five target date changes, tested the resolve of "Team Sint Maarten," the small group of representatives who championed the nation's cause. Their persistence finally paid off, marking a hard-won victory for the island.

15 Years of Experience: A Mixed Reality

Reflecting on the past 15 years, Dr. Holiday acknowledged the "meaningful progress" made in building the country's institutions from the ground up. However, he presented a candid picture of the socioeconomic journey, which he described as "mixed."

Economic Gains and Social Gaps:

• Sint Maarten's GDP per capita has impressively grown from approximately USD $26,386 in 2011 to an estimated USD $38,154 in 2024, placing it among high-income countries.

• However, this growth has not benefited everyone equally. A significant income gap persists, with 60% of workers earning less than USD $1,875 net per month. This disparity, coupled with a high cost of living, impacts critical areas like education and health, undermining national progress.

• Other persistent challenges include youth unemployment, crime, brain drain, and environmental issues like waste management.

Instability and External Shocks:
Progress has been significantly hampered by internal and external factors.

• Political Instability: Between 2010 and 2024, Sint Maarten had eleven different governments, with an average term of just under 16 months. This constant churn created an uncertain policy and investment climate.

• External Shocks: The nation's vulnerability was exposed by four major shocks: the 2007-2009 great recession, the devastating 2017 hurricanes, the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequent global inflation. These events led to volatile economic growth, averaging just 0.4% over the period.

To manage the fallout, Sint Maarten secured Dutch funding, which reignited familiar debates over Kingdom authority versus country autonomy, highlighting the urgent need for a formal dispute resolution mechanism. The economic pressures also caused the national debt-to-GDP ratio to climb from 15.4% in 2010 to 49% in 2024, limiting the government's ability to invest in key priorities.

A Vision for the Future: The Gold Standard by 2035

Despite the challenges, Dr. Holiday emphasized a message of hope and potential, noting that the overall economic trend, though modest, is upward. "Where do we go from here?" he asked, challenging the government and its people to aim high and harness the opportunities of the 21st century.

His answer is Vision 2035, a cohesive national strategy to mark the silver anniversary of Country Status by transforming Sint Maarten into "the Gold Standard for progress, governance, and innovation in the region."

The mission is to become a knowledge-driven, digital society that is more economically self-reliant, climate-resilient, and powered by solar energy. To achieve this, Dr. Holiday outlined a seven-point strategic roadmap:

1. Human Development: Prioritize investment in education and health. This includes overhauling school curricula to focus on STEM, digital fluency, and civic education; establishing a civil servant training program; and creating an incentive program to bring skilled professionals back home.

2. Digital Transformation: Accelerate the digitization of government services and invest heavily in data infrastructure, AI, and digital literacy to avoid falling behind.

3. Solar Energy Transition: Advance energy independence and lower electricity costs by transitioning all government buildings to solar by 2030 and implementing phased community solar microgrids by 2035.

4. Sustainable Economy: Upgrade the tourism product, enforce smart conservation policies, invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, and broaden the economic base by developing knowledge-based sectors like technology and healthcare.

5. Active Regional Strategy: Become an associate member of CARICOM and position Sint Maarten as a regional leader by hosting an annual digital and green technology conference.

6. Fiscal Reform: Fund these strategic investments by reprioritizing budgets and broadening the tax base, including a proposed USD $20 sustainability fee for non-resident air passengers.

7. Exemplary Governance: Prioritize sound, data-driven financial management, recognizing that "financial independence is the foundation for policy independence and thus for self-governance."

Dr. Holiday concluded his address with a powerful call to action. "The choices we make in the next decade will shape the next half-century," he declared. He stressed that fulfilling the promise of Country Status requires moving beyond discussion to decisive action on human development, digitization, sustainability, and self-governance.

By drawing lessons from the past and uniting behind a shared vision, Sint Maarten has the opportunity to build a stronger, more resilient future. The journey is a difficult one—an enterprise in the truest sense of the word—but by investing in its people and its potential, Sint Maarten can transform itself into the regional G

SABA:--- The two suspects arrested in connection with the Saba murder case will remain in pre-trial detention for an additional 60 days.
This decision was made by the examining judge on 7 October 2025 during a closed chamber session.

Although the police investigation into the murder, which took place on 12 September on Upper Mountain Road, is still ongoing, the examining judge ruled that there remains sufficient suspicion to keep both suspects in custody.
On 4 December 2025, a first public hearing will take place at the Court of First Instance on Bonaire.

During this hearing, the case will not yet be substantively addressed by the court, as the police investigation is expected to still be in progress at that time.
During this so-called pro forma hearing, the public prosecutor will provide an update on the status of the investigation. The judge will also review whether the suspects should remain in pre-trial detention.

In consultation with the Court of First Instance, a live video connection will be set up at the Courthouse on Saba, allowing relatives, family, friends, and other interested persons to follow the hearing of 4 December 2025 from there.

The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. and is expected to last approximately one hour. 

WILLEMSTAD:---  In a dramatic turn of events, Curacao’s Finance Minister Javier Silvania has submitted his resignation, officially stepping down from the ministerial post amid a long-running conflict within the Tax Office. Simultaneously, he has reclaimed a seat in Parliament, allowing him to remain politically active while distancing himself from executive responsibilities.

Conflict at the Tax Office & Internal Deadlock

According to reports, Silvania’s resignation is deeply connected to a dispute with the head of the Tax Receiver’s Office, Alfonso Trona. Silvania had been pushing for firings of senior civil servants implicated in alleged mismanagement or obstruction but was unable to secure support from his fellow ministers.

The tension came to a head following a leaked audio recording of a meeting between Silvania and Trona, in which both parties exchanged accusations and sharp language. Opposition parties and unions have since condemned Silvania’s conduct, calling it unacceptable for a senior minister.

In parliament, the matter has been taken up by opposition parties PNP, PAR, and MAN-PIN, who secured a public hearing to summon both Silvania and Trona for clarification.

Return to Parliament, but Political Stakes Elevated

Silvania’s return to Parliament was made possible by the resignation of MFK MP Tyron Boekhoudt, who vacated his seat to make space.

While no longer a minister, Silvania retains influence and will be able to follow developments from within the legislature—particularly in relation to the investigation into Trona’s conduct and the broader tax administration issues.

Observers warn that his departure from the executive branch removes a vocal and visible actor in the Pisas administration, potentially destabilizing the already fragile balance within the ruling Movementu Futuro Korsou (MFK) party.

Broader Fallout: Gaming Regulator Shockwaves

Silvania’s troubles coincide with upheaval in Curacao’s gambling oversight architecture. The Curaçao Gaming Authority (CGA)—which falls under the Finance Ministry—was shaken when its entire supervisory board resigned in mid-September.

Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas has reportedly stepped in to assume direct oversight of the regulator, fueling speculation that Silvania’s influence over gaming regulation is being curtailed.

Yet, confusion remains. Some sources say the CGA has pushed back, insisting that oversight responsibility has been shifted from Finance to the Ministry of Justice via a formal August order, rather than to the Prime Minister’s office

If true, the ministerial reorganization aimed to align the regulator with a department better suited for supervision, compliance, and anti‐illicit activity enforcement.

Regardless, the timing of the resignations and portfolio shifts has raised questions about whether the turbulence is entirely administrative — or a political rebalancing to contain Silvania’s reach.

What Happens Next?

Friday’s scheduled parliamentary session promises a tense showdown. Silvania, Trona, and Prime Minister Pisas will be called to answer the public conflict.

Opposition leader Quincy Girigorie (PAR) has already demanded a criminal investigation into Silvania’s conduct, arguing that the matter has crossed from internal government dispute into potential abuse of power

Meanwhile, public sector unions have joined the chorus of criticism, denouncing what they describe as a long-running pattern of disrespect by the finance minister toward civil servants.

At the same time, the CGA is in limbo without a functioning supervisory board, potentially disrupting governance in the lucrative gambling sector, which is a key pillar of Curacao’s economy and reputation.

Analysts are now watching closely whether the MFK party will rally around Silvania or pivot to preserve government stability — and whether the Pisas cabinet itself is at risk.

PHILIPSBURG:---  The House of Parliament will sit in a Public meeting on October 16, 2025.  

The Public meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 16.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of Finance will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:

Question hour: Questions from MP D.T.J. York directed to the Minister of Finance regarding oversight of TelEm and management accountability (IS/120/2025-2026 dated October 1, 2025) 

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.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament