PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, Mellisa Gumbs, has confirmed that the two students from St. Martin currently studying in Jamaica are safe and accounted for following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday morning, Minister Gumbs expressed solidarity with the people of Jamaica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti, who continue to suffer from the storm’s impact.

“I want to start by expressing my deepest solidarity with the people of Jamaica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti, who are still suffering from the ongoing impact of Hurricane Melissa,” Gumbs said. “With that in mind, I would also like to provide an update that the two students from Saint Martin are safe and sound after the passing of the storm.”

The Minister added that she had personally spoken with both students and that her Ministry is in contact with the Jamaican Consulate through the Department of Foreign Relations (DBB) to coordinate any potential evacuation efforts if needed.

“We are in touch with both students and working with the Jamaican Consulate to ensure their well-being and, if necessary, arrange their return home,” she said.

School Health and Air Quality Assessment Underway

In addition to the update on students abroad, Minister Gumbs announced that her Ministry will be conducting a comprehensive health and air quality assessment across all public schools on Sint Maarten.

The decision comes amid reports of air quality issues affecting classrooms in several institutions.

“We are taking these reports seriously,” Gumbs stated. “I’m on my way now to ensure that the assessments can be rolled out sooner rather than later. We need to identify and address any ongoing challenges in these establishments quickly.”

The Ministry will partner with relevant agencies to evaluate ventilation systems, humidity levels, and environmental health conditions across campuses before the end of the year.

Upcoming Regional Meetings in Aruba and Bonaire

Minister Gumbs also shared details of her upcoming official trip to Aruba and Bonaire this week, where she will meet with education ministers from across the Kingdom of the Netherlands as part of the Vierlanden Overleg (Four-Country Consultation).

During the meetings, the ministers are expected to discuss updates on the Strategic Education Alliance and other ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation in education policy and development throughout the Kingdom.

“We will be meeting in Bonaire to provide updates and agree on next steps regarding initiatives that were started before I took office,” Gumbs said.

Reflection on Hurricane Melissa and Climate Resilience

In closing, Minister Gumbs reiterated her empathy for the people of Jamaica, noting the storm’s destructive force as a reminder of the growing impact of climate change on Caribbean nations.

“My heart breaks for the people of Jamaica who this storm and its power have deeply impacted,” she said. “It is a constant reminder that we are living in a new reality when it comes to climate change.”

She also urged St. Martin residents to remain vigilant, stressing that hurricane season is not yet over.

“We still have a month to go before we can say that everyone is safe and sound following the 2025 hurricane season,” Gumbs reminded.

PHILIPSBURG:--- SZV Social & Health Insurances has officially launched its newly upgraded digital portals, MySZV and the Employer Portal, introducing a modern look, new features, and simplified navigation designed to enhance the overall client experience. The upgraded portals form part of SZV’s broader strategy to expand its digital services and meet the evolving needs of an increasingly digital society. Individuals and employers now have improved tools to manage their accounts, track requests, and access information 24/7.

In parallel, SZV continues to automate back-office procedures, strengthening its ability to deliver faster, more accurate, and more complete responses to client inquiries and applications. These improvements ensure that the user experience within the client portals is supported by efficient systems and streamlined processes behind the scenes.

The MySZV Portal now features several enhancements to simplify service access and improve the overall customer experience. Insured clients can track their service requests in real time, providing greater transparency and peace of mind. Users can also upload required documents directly online and update their personal information with ease — reducing the need for in-person visits or email communication. Additionally, the portal offers improved tracking of medical insurance status, ensuring that essential information is always accurate and up to date.

The Employer Portal has also undergone major improvements, offering more intuitive navigation and faster access to key services. The redesigned platform provides a clear overview of outstanding premiums, helping employers stay compliant and manage their accounts with confidence. Enhanced compliance updates are now available at a glance, along with streamlined service request tracking for quicker follow-up and resolution. These upgrades support SZV’s ongoing mission to promote transparency, simplify compliance processes, and strengthen collaboration with the business community.

SZV extends its appreciation to the dedicated project teams and partners whose collaboration made these upgrades possible. A special thank you goes to our clients who actively participated in recent testing sessions. Their constructive feedback was invaluable in shaping the final improvements and continues to guide SZV in its mission to deliver user-friendly, accessible digital services.

Both the MySZV and Employer Portals will continue to expand in the coming months, introducing even more service features to enhance the online experience. As these improvements are rolled out, SZV kindly asks for your patience and understanding should you encounter any challenges along the way — your feedback helps us grow and serve you better.

“While SZV embraces technological progress, the organization remains mindful of those who may require or prefer in-person services. These services will continue to be available as always, ensuring that no one is left behind. SZV’s ultimate goal is to offer an all-round improved customer experience — combining the efficiency of digital platforms with the reassurance of personal support.” – Elton Felisie, SZV Deputy Director

The upgraded MySZV and Employer Portals are now accessible via www.szv.sx, offering individuals and employers around-the-clock access to manage their social and health insurance needs.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Government of Sint Maarten plans to approach the business community to raise $500,000 in donations to strengthen national security during the upcoming holiday season.

Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling confirmed that discussions are already underway with key stakeholders — including hoteliers, harbor officials, and major retailers — to secure funding that will help law enforcement enhance safety in and around Philipsburg.

“Now that we know what is needed, the intention is to ask the business community to assist financially if they are willing to do so,” Tackling said. “This will allow the police to take additional measures to safeguard the business community for the high season.”

Increased Patrols and Better Pay for Volunteer Corps

A major portion of the proposed funding will go toward the Voluntary Korps of Sint Maarten (VKS), whose members are expected to work additional hours during the busy holiday period.
Currently, VKS officers earn only Cg11 per hour, but under the new plan, the government aims to increase their rate to Cg25 per hour as part of its intensified security operations.

Surveillance Expansion and Scooter Restrictions

The Ministry of Justice also plans to repair and expand the camera surveillance network throughout Philipsburg — particularly in high-traffic commercial zones such as Front Street and Back Street, where a string of armed robberies has occurred in recent years.

Additionally, the government intends to impose a complete ban on scooters in these areas. Officials say many recent robberies and snatch-and-run crimes involved perpetrators using scooters to flee the scene.

Coordinated Response to Organized Crime

Minister Tackling noted that recent armed robberies appear to be “far more coordinated and organized,” requiring a stronger, joint response between the Ministry of Justice, the Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM), and the private sector.

The ministry’s strategy — currently being finalized — outlines measures for increased patrols, heightened visibility, and surveillance coverage aimed at deterring criminal activity during the island’s peak tourism months.

“This is a collaborative effort,” Tackling emphasized. “We’re not only preparing for the holidays — we’re building a safer environment for both residents and visitors.”

Once the funding commitments are confirmed, the government expects to begin implementing the measures. Discussions with the business sector are expected to continue this week.

Security upgrades, increased patrol shifts, and the scooter restrictions could all take effect as early as mid-November, ahead of the high tourist season.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Theodore “Theo” Emanuel Heyliger was once a central figure in Sint Maarten’s political and business landscape: a lawmaker, a behind-the-scenes dealmaker, and a man many credited with shaping development around the island’s lucrative cruise-port precinct. In 2024–2025, however, a string of criminal and civil rulings transformed his legacy — and left him both a convicted prisoner and the subject of a nine-figure civil judgment. This profile examines who Heyliger is, how he operated, the cases that brought him down, and what his convictions and the October 28, 2025, court verdict mean for Sint Maarten’s politics and development sector.

From prominence to prosecution: a brief biography

Heyliger rose to prominence through a combination of political office and business involvement in port-area real estate. Over many years he accumulated influence among decision-makers responsible for approvals and concessions at the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise Terminal and adjacent commercial zones — territory where tourism dollars and retail rents generate significant profits. That influence, allied to close ties with local developers and intermediaries, left him well placed to shape which projects moved forward.

Observers say Heyliger’s style was typical of small-state political entrepreneurship: cultivating access, broker deals, and mobilizing both political and commercial networks to deliver projects — and, at times, payments — through a web of companies and lease constructions.

The criminal convictions: Larimar and related matters

Prior to the civil ruling that made headlines on October 28, 2025, Heyliger was convicted in criminal proceedings relating to bribery and money-laundering (often reported under the umbrella of the “Larimar” investigations). Those criminal cases resulted in a multi-year prison sentence; reporting indicates Heyliger was ordered to commence a custodial term at Pointe Blanche. The criminal proceedings focused on alleged payments and intermediated rental arrangements that prosecutors said masked illicit transfers to individuals in positions of influence.

Criminal courts judge elements of proof beyond a reasonable doubt; civil courts apply a lower threshold. The fact that Heyliger was found criminally liable in separate proceedings gave public prosecutors and civil plaintiffs concrete documentary and testimonial material to draw on in later civil claims.

The Zebec civil verdict: USD 92.1 million

On October 28, 2025, the Court of First Instance of Sint Maarten issued a detailed written judgment in a high-profile civil suit brought by Zebec Development N.V. The court found that Heyliger committed an onrechtmatige daad (unlawful act) by abusing his power in relation to the Dutch Village project at the cruise terminal and that his conduct caused Zebec to suffer substantial loss. As a result the court ordered Heyliger to pay USD 92,100,000 in damages plus statutory interest, and it declared these parts of the judgment immediately enforceable.

28102025081922-0001

The civil proceedings canvassed a complicated factual matrix: competing development agreements, a prior settlement with another developer (SMQDC), lease and sublease arrangements involving companies such as Harbour Arcade, PF Skyline and Diamond International, and so-called “key money” clauses that the court scrutinized as potential conduits for illicit payments. The court accepted that irregular payment flows and rent arrangements existed and that Heyliger benefitted from them, but it drew a narrower legal conclusion about who could be held civilly liable. In short, the court pinned personal responsibility on Heyliger but declined to hold Ocean Drive Properties N.V. (ODP) and certain business principals liable because Zebec had not met the evidentiary standard as to those parties’ direct causation of the contract termination.

How he operated — the patterns identified

Across the criminal and civil records, a pattern emerges:

• Use of intermediary entities and layered lease/sublease agreements to shift funds and create “key money” obligations that benefited parties linked to Heyliger.
• Influence over port approvals and consent processes, where a single powerful official could affect which developer obtained the prized retail parcels at the cruise terminal.
• Opportunistic capture of high-value retail rights adjacent to cruise operations — a zone where being first or preferred translates into substantial long-term revenue.

The court found that some payments were effectively rewards for creating or channeling opportunities, and while it stopped short of finding every commercial actor guilty of collusion, it concluded Heyliger had abused his role to the detriment of Zebec.

28102025081922-0001

Political and institutional ramifications

Heyliger’s fall has several immediate and medium-term implications for Sint Maarten:

1. Rule-of-law signal: A high-profile criminal conviction and a nine-figure civil award send a strong message that political power can carry civil and criminal accountability. That may deter future abuse or at least raise the political and financial costs of them.
2. Procurement and governance reforms: The cases highlight weaknesses in transparency around port leases, approvals, and conflict-of-interest checks. Expect calls for tightened procurement rules, clearer disclosure of beneficial ownership, and stronger audit trails for concessions.
3. Investor uncertainty vs. cleansing effect: In the short term, some investors may be wary of reputational and political risk in Sint Maarten. Over time, however, clearer rules and better enforcement could improve the business climate by reducing the risk of covert manipulation.
4. Enforcement and recovery challenges: Collecting USD 92.1 million from an individual is legally possible but practically hard. Zebec, prosecutors, and creditors will need to trace assets, pursue attachments, and possibly litigate across jurisdictions. That process could take years.

Assessment: legacy and likely next steps

Heyliger’s trajectory — from political insider to convicted felon and civil debtor — is likely to be a defining episode in Sint Maarten’s political history. The civil judgment confirms a public-facing legal determination that his conduct caused severe economic harm to a private developer. Coupled with the criminal convictions, the twin rulings have already reshaped public debate about transparency and oversight in development projects.

What comes next is predictable but complex:

• Appeals are likely. Civil defendants typically appeal large judgments; this will extend litigation and may delay enforcement.
• Asset tracing and enforcement actions. Zebec and prosecutors will pursue available assets; successful seizures could partially satisfy judgments, but recovery at scale is uncertain.
• Policy responses. Lawmakers and oversight bodies will face pressure to adopt reforms to procurement, register beneficial ownership and strengthen anti-corruption units.

Final word

Theodore Heyliger’s case is more than the downfall of one man. It is a case study in how concentrated political influence, opaque commercial arrangements and weak transparency can intersect — and how persistent legal action, both criminal and civil, can unravel that web. For Sint Maarten, the episode offers painful short-term disruption but also an opportunity: to strengthen institutions and ensure that the island’s most valuable assets — its port, its tourism infrastructure, and public trust — are governed with clearer rules and enforceable standards.