PHILIPSBURG:---  Police officers were forced to retreat under a barrage of stones this evening while attempting to recover two stolen vehicles in the Garden of Eden area of Dutch Quarter.
The incident occurred when police patrols were in the process of removing the stolen cars from the location. A group of individuals gathered and began throwing stones at the officers, creating a dangerous situation that compelled the police to seek immediate shelter.
Police Spokesman Inspector Joe Josepha confirmed the events, stating that the patrols on the scene had to withdraw for their safety following the attack. The situation escalated quickly, preventing the officers from completing their work at the scene. Further details regarding the investigation into the stolen vehicles and the subsequent assault on the officers are expected to be released as they become available.

ORANJESTAD:--- From 10 to 14 November 2025, analysts, intelligence officers, and investigators from all countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, including the Caribbean Netherlands, worked side by side in a single space to address firearms-related crime. The result: sufficient intelligence to launch three criminal investigations in the short term, ten intelligence products, and a more detailed understanding of the firearms crisis across the Caribbean.

This second edition, dubbed War Room 2.0, focused on analysing Kingdom-wide patterns in the transport, trade, possession, and use of firearms. Local and international information sources were combined and supplemented with open-source intelligence (OSINT) techniques and advanced analysis tools. Launched by the Board of Chiefs of Police of the Dutch Caribbean, the event was organized by the Inter-Island Information Coordination Platform (IICP) in collaboration with the Dutch National Police. This initiative builds on the success of the pilot held in March 2025.

Participants included representatives from the five police forces within the Kingdom, the Special Police Task Force (RST), the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, and the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard. The Public Prosecution Service was closely involved as well.

The event was officially opened by Minister Dowers, Aruba’s Minister of Justice, together with Chief of Police Ramon Arnhem of the Aruba Police Force, who spoke on behalf of the Board of Chiefs of Police. Minister Dowers expressed appreciation for the continuation of the initiative and stressed the importance of maintaining momentum: “It is not always easy to start such projects — let alone to sustain them over time,” he noted, adding that he looks forward to the deliverables produced during this edition.

Chief Arnhem highlighted the importance of regional cooperation: “We are honored to host this second edition in Aruba. It is not only a privilege for the Aruba Police Force but also a sign of confidence in the partnerships we have built over the years with our sister islands and Kingdom partners.”

Rafiek Dinmohamed, coordinator of the IICP, reflected on the platform’s evolution: “When we started the IICP in 2024, it began with a vision — a belief that police cooperation between islands, or rather between countries, must be possible. Since then, we’ve grown step by step into a dedicated inter-island intelligence team that collaborates daily, shares information, and produces actionable intelligence products that contribute to fighting crime across our Kingdom.”

The initiative took place against the backdrop of an escalating firearms crisis in the Caribbean. The possession and use of firearms have visibly increased in recent years. The urgency of the issue was underscored when a serious firearms-related incident occurred during the week of the War Room. Participants immediately mobilized to assess which relevant intelligence could be brought together.

The analysis conducted during the War Room revealed clear patterns. There is a strong interconnection between firearms and drugs. The guns–drugs–gangs dynamic—long observed in the region—was once again confirmed. Multiple individuals were found to be operating across the Kingdom using similar routes, facilitators, and logistical networks. In addition to new leads, the analysis uncovered data that are directly relevant to ongoing criminal investigations that are directly relevant to ongoing criminal investigations.

The War Room demonstrates what true collaboration looks like when it moves beyond rhetoric into concrete action. While the first edition marked the start of a new phase in Kingdom-wide cooperation, the second edition proves that this method of working is now solidly embedded and producing results. A follow-up edition is already being planned for next year, with the aim of engaging CARICOM IMPACS and broadening regional cooperation even further.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (VROMI) is pleased to announce progress on two projects, the first being the project to strengthen utility infrastructure and the second being the Private-Public Partnership to rehabilitate Billy Folly Road (Pelican). The Utility Infrastructure Project follows from the agreement signed in May by VROMI, NRPB, and GEBE to the tune of USD$5.1 million dollars to introduce electrical cables and drinking water pipes in Cole Bay, South Reward, Pointe Blanche, and A.T. Illidge Road (area of Madame Estate, Middle Region, and Dutch Quarter). Minister of VROMI Mr. Patrice Gumbs was on site on Friday at the intersection of A.T. Illidge Road and Gibbs Drive to inspect the works with the team from the Infrastructure Department.
The Ministry initiated hard surfacing of Gibbs Drive as part of the program in February 2024. Works were stopped following protests from residents related to a dispute by heirs on ownership of a parcel of land for the proposed bypass to Richardson Drive. Since then, road conditions have continued to deteriorate, prompting residents to approach the Government to intervene. The Ministry is currently in discussions with the heirs to come to a resolution to allow the Government to fulfill their promise to repair the road. In the interim, once the cabling and piping is completed, the Ministry of VROMI will grade Gibbs Drive until the restart of the hard-surfacing project. This will offer temporary relief by improving accessibility for the residents.
Last month, the Ministry announced a Private-Public Partnership with the business establishments in the area. At the time of publication, a total of USD$496,500 was raised by Simpsonbay Resort, Flamingo Hilton, The Atrium, La Vista, Simpsonbay Suites, Baker Suites, Market Garden, SMTA, Hollywood Casino, Splash Jewelry, Aquamania, Tepui Residences, Dollar Thrifty, Buccaneers Beach Bar, Peli Deli, and Sunset Spa. The Government contributed USD$94,000 to this initiative. The Minister, the Department of Infrastructure, and representatives of Windward Roads were on site to inspect the works. The project includes the introduction of much needed sidewalks, upgrading the concrete subsurface, and the introduction of an asphalt layer. In addition, the long-standing issue of water settling on the road (drainage), will be addressed.
“Windward Roads is proud to be part of this important project, made possible through the hard work and cooperation between the public and private sectors. Together, we are upgrading Billy Folly Road to enhance the infrastructure for the people of St. Maarten and for our visitors. We look forward to many more collaborations in the future and hope to continue contributing to the island’s development”, stated Michiel Witteveen of Winward Roads.
VROMI Minister Patrice Gumbs stated that “this project exemplifies the Public-Private Partnership model outlined in the Governing Program as vital for Sint Maarten's future development. The realization of this infrastructure improvement has been made possible through the generous support of local businesses and stakeholders who have demonstrated exceptional corporate social responsibility, and for that we are extremely thankful”.
Similar public-private partnership initiatives are currently being negotiated for other infrastructure projects, and the development of a framework to regulate partnerships going forward is in the final stages; to be shared with the public within the coming weeks.
The Ministry thanks the public for their patience, recognizing that proper public works take time, adequate financing, and planning to ensure quality infrastructure.

The Hague:--- During deliberations with the Executive Councils of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, the Board of Financial Supervision of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (Cft) drew attention to the necessity to enhance the executive capacity of the Public Entities. This enhancement is needed since the budgets of the islands have seen major increases since 2010. The Cft emphasizes the importance of a realistic budget, in which - more so than before - the limits of its own executive capacity are taken into account. Primarily, in Bonaire’s case, the ambitions are not in line with the implementation of the budget.  

Executive capacity  

Executive capacity entails more than just the capacity itself. It also requires stable governance and transparent decision-making processes. Furthermore, financial management must be in order so that the administration can make timely adjustments where needed. Creating sufficient executive capacity is not an easy task, considering the scale of the islands. However, priorization does help.

The Cft presented its analysis regarding the executive capacity of the Public Entities to the Executive Councils and the Island Councils, which showed the following: 

 Executive capacity of Bonaire falls short

The executive capacity of Bonaire falls short in almost all areas. From a financial-economic point of view, the great number of special benefits of which the term has expired concerns the Cft, since these are funds that may be recovered and therefore do not benefit Bonaire's citizens. Furthermore, the CFT sees a great increase in the special-purpose reserves and expenses that have not been included in an adopted budget. It is important that Bonaire makes stable governance and enhancement of the executive capacity in the entire organization a top priority. It is a given that the population has seen a major increase, and the budget has doubled in five years’ time. The Board therefore understands the complexity of the task the system has to keep up with this growth.

The primary message the CFT gave the Executive Council is: “Focus on what must be done, and do it right!” Otherwise, Bonaire’s citizens are the ones who pay the price.

St. Eustatius is well on its way to being in control

The executive capacity of Sint Eustatius is visibly growing. The Cft observes that over the past year, Sint Eustatius has taken major steps to improve financial management. An important milestone is the fact that for its annual accounts for 2024, Sint Eustatius received an unqualified audit opinion for the first time. Furthermore, Sint Eustatius handles its special-purpose reserves cautiously. ​Persistent effort and strong support in all areas remain necessary, since recovery is still fragile and the operation of the civil service remains vulnerable due to the large number of vacancies. Therefore, the Cft's message to Sint Eustatius is: “Continue on the path to being in control.” 

 Saba: What a small island can be great at 

Saba's executive capacity is largely in order. There is continuity of the quality on key positions, budgetary discipline is solid and unqualified audit opinions were issued repeatedly regarding the annual accounts. For the time being, the smallest of the BES islands is the one performing best. Cft's central message for Saba is therefore: “Keep up the good work!”