PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is pleased to announce the successful deployment of several of its officers to Curaçao in support of the country’s parliamentary elections, which took place on Friday, March 21, 2025. This deployment was part of a broader cooperation agreement among the Dutch Caribbean islands to provide mutual assistance during major events requiring enhanced security measures.
KPSM officers joined their counterparts from Aruba, Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius to assist the Curaçao Police Force (KPC) in ensuring a smooth, secure, and orderly electoral process. Their presence reinforced regional collaboration and highlighted the shared commitment of law enforcement agencies across the Dutch Caribbean to maintaining public safety and upholding democratic integrity.
The Minister of Justice of Sint Maarten, Miss N. Tackling, played a key role in facilitating this collaboration. KPSM extends its sincere appreciation to Minister Tackling for her steadfast support, as well as to all stakeholders involved in making this cooperation possible.
This joint effort underscores the strong partnership between the Dutch Caribbean police forces and their dedication to assisting one another in times of need.

KPSM Press Release.

PHILIPSBURG:--- NV GEBE hereby informs the general public that around 3:40AM this morning (Saturday, March 22, 2025) a short circuit in the Medium Voltage Room caused the power plant to automatically shut down as a protective measure to our infrastructure resulting in an island wide outage.
Our team is actively working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. This incident was beyond our control. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding.
For further updates, please stay tuned to our official channels.

BES ISLANDS:---  delegation representing the islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba is currently in the Netherlands for a series of meetings in The Hague. These discussions focus on the ongoing revisions of the WolBES and FinBES legislation.

Although agreements were made collectively between the former State Secretary of Kingdom Relations and the island representatives at the March 2024 work conference, the new State Secretary sent a letter in February indicating his intention to amend certain agreements unilaterally, which prompted concerns from the islands.

In response, while together during the BES Summit on Saba in February 2025, the islands, agreed to draft a formal letter expressing their objections to how the State Secretary was proceeding and meet with key entities within the central government in the Netherlands to discuss these concerns in person.

On Thursday, March 20th, a crucial meeting took place with members of the Committee of Kingdom Affairs of the Second Chamber. The Islands delegation emphasized the importance of involving the islands when things concern the islands because the primary concern is not the proposed changes, but the unilateral approach taken by the State Secretary in modifying agreements without consulting the people that these changes will affect.

The Committee members and the joint delegation had an open discussion. Key discussion points included the need for more frequent consultations and communication to enhance clarity, mutual understanding, and alignment with the islands' needs. The key principle " if it's about us, not without us" resonated as an important principle of good governance during this session.

The delegations reaffirmed their commitment to constructive dialogue and stressed the necessity of upholding an inclusive consultation process. The meeting underscored the importance of continued collaboration to ensure that the voices of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba remain integral to the decision-making processes affecting their governance and future.

PHILIPSBURG:---  On March 21, 2025, NAGICO Insurances proudly marked World Down Syndrome Day with a unique and heartwarming initiative called "Crocs and Socks Day." This event was designed to raise awareness and show support for individuals with Down syndrome, celebrating their uniqueness and contributions to our communities.
Employees and participants were encouraged to wear colorful, mismatched socks along with their favorite Crocs. With this playful combination we celebrated diversity and created joy as we recognized and embraced the beauty that emanates from our differences. The idea was inspired by the global trend of wearing mismatched socks on World Down Syndrome Day to highlight the beauty of diversity.
Through "Crocs and Socks Day," NAGICO Insurances reinforced its commitment to creating an inclusive environment where everyone is valued and respected. The event was not just about having fun; it was a meaningful way to show solidarity with the Down syndrome community and to promote a culture of acceptance and support. We are all wonderful, beautiful people.
This is a reminder that embracing our differences makes us stronger and that every individual has something valuable to contribute to society.