~ Several coalition members disagree with the selection~

PHILIPSBURG:--- In a move that has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of St. Maarten, the appointment of Attorney Jairo Bloem as Chairman of the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten (CBCS) has ignited a firestorm of controversy, exposing deep fractures within the Democratic Party (DP) and the coalition government. The decision, spearheaded by Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs and Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, has been met with fierce opposition from within their own ranks, raising serious questions about transparency, governance, and the unity of the ruling coalition.

The appointment was reportedly decided during a Council of Ministers meeting on Tuesday, where only five of the seven council members were present. Of those five, three voted in favor of Bloem’s appointment, while the two Party for Progress (PFP) ministers vehemently opposed it. Notably, PFP leader Melissa Gumbs cast a dissenting vote, while Minister of VROMI Patrice Gumbs Jr staged a dramatic walkout, signaling his disapproval of the process.

The fallout from this decision has been swift and severe. Members of the Democratic Party, including Members of Parliament Dimar Labega and Viren Kotai, have expressed outrage, claiming they were blindsided by the appointment and only learned of it on the day of the vote. Their rejection of Bloem’s candidacy underscores the glaring failure of leadership within the party, a glaring failure of leadership that has left many questioning the motives behind this rushed decision.

Adding to the chaos, Minister of TEATT Grisha Heyliger-Marten and Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling, both of whom are overseas on official business, have also voiced their disapproval of Bloem’s appointment. Their absence from the critical vote further highlights the lack of cohesion and coordination within the coalition, as key stakeholders were excluded from a decision of such magnitude.

The controversy does not end there. Prominent Attorney-at-Law and Member of Parliament from the URSM faction, Sjamira Roseburg, has also rejected Bloem’s candidacy, citing concerns over his suitability for the role. This sentiment is echoed by other coalition members, who have openly questioned the rationale behind his selection. The fact that such a pivotal appointment has been met with widespread dissent from within the government itself is a damning indictment of the decision-making process.

At the heart of this debacle lies a troubling pattern of governance that prioritizes backroom deals and political expediency over transparency and accountability. The appointment of the CBCS chairman is a matter of national importance, with far-reaching implications for the financial stability and economic future of St. Maarten. Yet, the process has been marred by secrecy, exclusion, and a blatant disregard for the principles of good governance.

The Democratic Party, once a symbol of unity and progress, now finds itself mired in internal strife and public backlash. The actions of Minister Marinka Gumbs and Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina have not only alienated their coalition partners but have also eroded public trust in their leadership. By sidelining key stakeholders and pushing through a contentious appointment, they have sown the seeds of division within their own ranks and jeopardized the stability of the coalition government.

This debacle serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform in the way critical decisions are made in St. Maarten. The people deserve a government that operates with transparency, integrity, and accountability—not one that is mired in secrecy and internal power struggles. The appointment of Jairo Bloem as CBCS chairman may have been intended as a step forward, but it has instead exposed the deep cracks within the Democratic Party and the coalition it leads.

As the dust settles on this controversy, one thing is clear: the Democratic Party and its leadership have a long road ahead to rebuild trust, both within their ranks and with the people they serve. Whether they can rise to the occasion or continue to falter under the weight of their own missteps remains to be seen. For now, the appointment of Jairo Bloem stands as a symbol of a government in disarray, and the people of St. Maarten are left to wonder who is truly looking out for their best interests.

Willemstad / Philipsburg:--- Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) plays a vital role in economic development, contributing to job creation, innovation, and capital formation. To this end, the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) is conducting a study on the main macroeconomic and institutional factors that influence FDI in Curaçao. The goal is to get a better understanding what attracts FDI and to explore ways to improve Curaçao’s investment climate. This is especially important for the CBCS, since FDI is a key source of external financing. Foreign direct investment refers to an individual or company from abroad acquiring at least 10% stake in a local business- signaling a long-term commitment and meaningful influence over its operations. Despite its importance in economic development, the drivers of FDI inflows remain underexplored in the local context. This study seeks to fill that gap by collecting data directly from companies in Curaçao that have previously received FDI, with the goal of identifying the main triggers that attracted foreign investment and assessing investors’ perceptions of Curaçao’s business climate. The findings will help identify which factors most significantly influence foreign investors’ decisions and how policy can be shaped to attract FDI in a sustained manner. A similar study will be launched in Sint Maarten in 2026. Participating companies in Curaçao will receive in the coming days an invitation from the CBCS to complete an online survey via a secure link. The survey is anonymous, and all collected data will be treated with strict confidentiality. The survey is in English and the estimated time to complete the survey is approximately 15 minutes. The CBCS kindly requests the cooperation of all firms that have received FDI to complete the survey before October 1, 2025. Your insights are vital to this research and could help shape future strategies to enhance Curaçao’s investment climate. Willemstad, September 17, 2025 CENTRALE BANK VAN CURACAO EN SINT MAARTEN

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- As part of its annual Health Observances Calendar (HOC), the Collective Prevention Service (CPS), is calling on the male population of Sint Maarten to “Man Up and Get a Check Up” with respect to prostate cancer.   

Prostate cancer poses a significant public health challenge in the Caribbean, with the region facing some of the highest incidence and mortality rates globally.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men, and while it often grows slowly in its early stages, awareness is key for early detection and effective treatment.

The prostate is a small gland located below the bladder that is part of the male reproductive system. In the early stages of prostate cancer, men may experience no symptoms at all, which is why regular screenings and conversations with a doctor are so important, and therefore CPS is calling on men to “Man Up and Get a Check Up.”

As the disease progresses, signs such as difficulty or pain while urinating, a weaker urine flow, blood in the urine or semen, and pain in the lower back or hips may appear.

Factors such as age, family history, and race can increase a man's risk, but a significant number of cases are still diagnosed in men without these risk factors.

While there is no guaranteed way to prevent prostate cancer, adopting a healthy lifestyle can play a crucial role in reducing your risk and improving your overall well-being.

A diet rich in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is recommended, while limiting the consumption of red and processed meats, high-fat foods, and dairy products.

Maintaining healthy weight and engaging in regular physical activity are also strongly linked to a lower risk of more aggressive forms of prostate cancer.

In addition, avoiding tobacco use and moderating alcohol consumption are general health practices that can help lower the risk of many cancers, including prostate cancer.

A prostate cancer awareness panel discussion is planned for Friday, September 26 at the Lions Civic Center in Suckergarden from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and CPS is encouraging the men in the community to come out and be informed. The panel discussion will feature a number of prominent Sint Maarteners including a couple who are prostate cancer survivors.   

The most powerful tool for combating prostate cancer is early detection. Men should discuss their personal risk factors with their healthcare provider to determine the right time to begin screenings.

By taking proactive steps and prioritizing these conversations with a doctor, men can empower themselves to stay ahead of the disease and increase their chances of a positive outcome.

CPS encourages Sint Maarten men to make healthy choices, live a healthy lifestyle and be active.

Persons seeking additional information should contact their family physician or CPS at telephone numbers: 542-1570 or 542-1222.

PHILIPSBURG:---  While in Dubai attending the 28th Universal Postal Congress, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT), Grisha Heyliger-Marten, also took the opportunity to participate in the opening day of the Food Security SummitX 2025. The international forum brought together policymakers, innovators, and experts to exchange ideas and best practices on sustainability, agricultural innovation, and global food security.

Minister Heyliger-Marten highlighted that the Food Security Summit was highly informative and provided valuable insights into international best practices that can be tailored to St. Maarten’s unique context.

"The Food Security SummitX in Dubai has reinforced how critical it is for small island nations like ours to learn from global expertise," said Minister Heyliger-Marten. "The strategies, technologies, and solutions I observed can inspire new approaches for food resilience and sustainability in St. Maarten."

The Minister further announced plans to host a series of spin-off meetings in St. Maarten to explore opportunities for collaboration with international partners and assess how best to implement solutions showcased in Dubai.

Through her participation in the Food Security SummitX, Minister Heyliger-Marten reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring that St. Maarten remains engaged in global discussions that strengthen its economic resilience, food security, and international cooperation.