PHILIPSBURG:---  The halls of government are trembling as proposed 2026 budget cuts threaten to shatter the fragile coalition. Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs’s intention to slash funding for key ministries has ignited a political firestorm, with sources revealing that the very stability of the ruling government hangs in the balance.

At the heart of the crisis are proposed cuts to the Ministries of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication (TEATT), and Justice. The move has drawn a firm line in the sand from Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling, who, according to insiders, has issued an ultimatum to the Council of Ministers. She has made it clear that if her ministry's budget is reduced, she will resign—a move that would almost certainly trigger the collapse of the coalition.

The contentious budget discussions, which are still preliminary, have exposed deep rifts within the Council of Ministers. Several ministers are pointing fingers back at the source, urging Minister Gumbs to look inward. They argue that her own Ministry of Finance is drowning in wasteful spending, particularly on a legion of consultants who reportedly do little to benefit the country. "Look within your own ministry," one minister suggested, pointing to the "huge budget she allocated to consultants that actually does nothing."

This internal strife is compounded by widespread criticism of lavish government spending. Another suggestion from within the council is to cut the "extensive travel" budgets enjoyed by certain ministers and their cabinet staff. This sentiment extends to Parliament itself, with calls for Gumbs to reduce its funding. Members of Parliament are accused of benefiting from endless "Parlatino meetings" that fatten politicians' pockets but deliver zero value to the people of Sint Maarten.

The current financial predicament was not unforeseen. Former Minister of Finance and current Member of Parliament Ardwell Irion warned Gumbs last year that without a strategy to generate new revenue, painful cuts to the 2026 budget would be inevitable. That warning, it seems, was ignored.

While the final budget will not be presented to parliament until May, the battle lines are already drawn. The government is facing a crisis of its own making, torn between fiscal austerity and political survival. As ministers trade accusations and the threat of resignations looms, the people of Sint Maarten are left to wonder if their government is more focused on serving the public or on self-preservation. The impending budget cuts are no longer just about numbers; they are a direct challenge to the leadership and stability of the entire nation.

PHILIPSBURG:--- As of 2026, Erik Spek has officially joined HaVen as co-owner. Since October 2025, he has already been part of HaVen as Managing Director. With the formalization of his ownership, the co-directorship with Erik van Engelen is now officially confirmed.
Erik Spek (1973) began his career at Arthur Andersen in Rotterdam and continued at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Sint Maarten and Curaçao. There, he gained extensive experience in accountancy and in supporting companies in the region and Suriname.
After gaining 11 years of experience at major accounting firms in the Netherlands, Sint Maarten, and Curaçao, Erik transitioned to the banking sector, where he held several roles at DVB Bank over 14 years in Curaçao, Singapore, and the Netherlands. He started as Team Head in the back office in Curaçao, leading an accounting team. After several years in this role, he went on to hold various positions within DVB, building expertise in credit, portfolio management, and financial analysis. He later served as Financial Controller at COUNT Energy Trading in Rotterdam.
With his broad background in accountancy, controlling, and international finance, Erik Spek now applies his knowledge and experience to further shape the growth of HaVen in Bonaire, Sint Maarten, Suriname, and the Netherlands.
“At HaVen, we are building a firm that is close to entrepreneurs while maintaining an international perspective. Returning to the islands feels like a natural step. Together with Erik van Engelen and our team, I look forward to shaping the next phase of HaVen’s growth in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.”
— Erik Spek, Co-Owner HaVen – Audit, Accounting & Consultancy

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams has issued a call for renewed national purpose in the new year, urging citizens and leadership alike to embrace responsibility, participation, and respect for Sint Maarten as the foundation for progress.

“As we enter a new year, hope and resilience remain important,” Wescot-Williams said. “But this moment also calls for realism and responsibility. Progress does not come from waiting or commentary; it comes from commitment, effort, and participation.”

She stressed that respect for Sint Maarten must begin at home.

“Respect for Sint Maarten is not something we demand of others first,” she stated. “It begins with how we govern, how we engage as citizens, how we protect our country, and how seriously we take the responsibility of nationhood.”

According to Wescot-Williams, Sint Maarten has the capacity to move forward, but only if there is a collective will and a shared sense of direction.

“We have what it takes,” she said. “The question is whether we have what it takes. And that answer lies with all of us, government and society together.”

In that context, Wescot-Williams announced the launch of a reflective call titled “Imagine This,” a separate message intended to encourage national dialogue around what Sint Maarten could become if it commits to a shared vision and acts on it collectively.

“‘Imagine This’ is about visualizing a Sint Maarten that respects itself and moves forward together,” she explained. “It is not about slogans. It is about responsibility, action, and participation.”

“I am inviting members of the community to share their own ‘Imagine This’ ideas, what they believe a respectful, forward-moving Sint Maarten should look like, and what we must do to get there. These ideas matter, and they belong in the national conversation.”

Wescot-Williams reaffirmed that she continues to serve within a political coalition consciously and responsibly, guided by the enduring values and principles of the party she represents. Her parliamentary focus for the year ahead, she said, will remain on collective forward movement, amplifying district voices, pressing for decisive parliamentary action on the course of government, and strengthening accountability so that power consistently serves the public interest.

She concluded with a call to action.

“This must be the year we stop waiting, stop excusing, and stop standing on the sidelines,” Wescot-Williams said. “Respect for Sint Maarten requires all of us to do our part.”

Always moving forward. Always progressing.

POINTE BLANCHE:--- Port St. Maarten Group (PSG) is proud to announce a historic start to the New Year as it welcomes two magnificent vessels for their maiden calls to the "Friendly Island."

On January 1, 2026, the Port will host Princess Cruises' next-generation masterpiece, the Sun Princess, alongside Oceania Cruises’ elegant new addition, the Allura.

This double inaugural visit underscores St. Maarten’s enduring appeal as a premier Caribbean destination and highlights the Port’s capacity to handle the industry’s most advanced and luxurious ships simultaneously.

The arrival of the Sun Princess, the largest ship ever constructed for Princess Cruises, represents a significant milestone in maritime engineering and guest experience.

Boasting innovative architectural designs and sustainable liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology, the vessel brings visitors to our shores to experience the best of St. Maarten.

Joining her is the Allura, the second Allura-class ship from Oceania Cruises, which defines the pinnacle of small-ship luxury and culinary excellence. The presence of both vessels on New Year's Day serves as a powerful testament to the confidence global cruise lines place in Port St. Maarten’s world-class facilities and service.

“Starting the year 2026 with two inaugural calls is an extraordinary achievement for our tourism product,” stated Port St. Maarten Group Management.

“Welcoming the Sun Princess and the Allura on the very first day of the year sends a clear signal to the world that St. Maarten remains at the forefront of the cruise industry. These visits generate immediate economic impact for local stakeholders, from taxi drivers and tour operators to retailers and restaurateurs.

“We are committed to ensuring that every passenger and crew member on these vessels experiences the unparalleled hospitality that defines our island.”

PSG Management encourages the local business community and the public to extend their signature warm welcome to the guests arriving on these ships.

As we embark on this promising new year, the Port remains dedicated to fostering excellence, enhancing our infrastructure, and ensuring St. Maarten continues to lead as the preferred gateway to the Caribbean.