PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling has raised serious concern over the increasing number of fatal road accidents on the island, calling the trend “sharp and deeply troubling” as Carnival celebrations continue.
Speaking during Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing, Tackling revealed that three lives were lost in separate traffic accidents on Sunday alone. She extended condolences to the families and loved ones affected, stating that the grief is shared by the entire community.
According to the minister, the overall number of traffic accidents in the first quarter of 2026 is similar to previous years, but the severity has worsened dramatically.
“In all of 2024, we recorded five traffic-related fatalities. In all of 2025, we recorded three. In the first three months of 2026 alone, we have already recorded seven,” Tackling said.
She noted that Sunday’s tragic deaths added to an already alarming statistic and stressed that urgent action is needed from both authorities and the public.
The minister also praised first responders, including police officers, ambulance personnel, and firefighters, for their professionalism while handling the traumatic accident scenes.
“What they encountered that day would stay with them,” she said, adding that the Ministry of Justice is committed to ensuring proper support is available to emergency workers dealing with such difficult situations.
Tackling used the opportunity to appeal to the public to make safer choices on the road, especially during Carnival festivities.
She urged motorists to drink responsibly, never drive under the influence, and remain alert while traveling.
“A single poor decision can carry lasting consequences, not only for you, but for your family and for your future,” she warned.
With increased traffic and celebrations across the island, the Ministry of Justice is encouraging all road users to prioritize safety and look out for one another during the remainder of the Carnival season.
The Caribbean guilder earns international recognition once again.
Willemstad/Philipsburg:--- The Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) announces that the Caribbean guilder has once again received international recognition. The International Bank Note Society (IBNS) has named the 200-guilder banknote “Bank Note of the Year 2025.” This latest honor follows earlier recognition in June 2025, when the CBCS received an award for the Cg banknote series as a whole. In March this year, it was also announced that the CBCS had won the Central Banking Currency Manager Award for the successful introduction of the Caribbean guilder.
The award is presented annually to the most distinctive banknote worldwide, based on design, innovation, and security features. In 2025, almost 100 new banknotes were released worldwide, of which only 17 designs were deemed sufficiently innovative to be nominated. From the onset of voting, the 200-guilder banknote of Curaçao and Sint Maarten was the overwhelming favorite making this recognition even more remarkable.
According to the IBNS, the award highlights the high quality and innovative character of the banknote design of the monetary union. For the CBCS, this recognition confirms its approach to building a modern, secure, and internationally respected currency.
The IBNS competition is internationally recognized as an important benchmark for banknote design. Recent winners demonstrate that both artistic value and technological innovation play a decisive role in the evaluation process.
The first runner-up in this competition was Fiji’s 5-dollar banknote, featuring a kulawai bird and a sea turtle. The second runner-up was Zambia’s 100-kwacha banknote, depicting an eagle and giraffes.
Willemstad, April 22, 2026
CENTRALE BANK VAN CURACAO EN SINT MAARTEN
The photos
NAGICO Insurances Joins ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League As Official Partner.
GUYANA / St. Maarten:---The ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) is pleased to announce NAGICO Insurances as an Official Partner for its upcoming T20 tournament. This partnership marks an exciting collaboration between one of the Caribbean’s leading insurance providers and Guyana’s flagship cricket event.
The GSL continues to position itself as a premier platform for elite cricketing talent, bringing together players from across Guyana, the Caribbean, and beyond. NAGICO’s support reinforces the tournament’s mission to deliver world-class cricket while fostering regional unity and development through sport.
Welcoming the partnership, Sir Clive Lloyd, Chairman of the GSL, said:
“We are delighted to have NAGICO Insurances join the Global Super League family. Their deep-rooted commitment to Caribbean communities and cricket aligns perfectly with the vision of the GSL. Together, we aim to elevate the tournament, inspire the next generation of players, and deliver a world-class experience for fans in Guyana and beyond.”
Kyria Ali, CEO of NAGICO Insurances, commented, “At our core, we, NAGICO Insurances, invest in the communities where we operate, we plant our roots where we serve. As we prepare to enter Guyana this year, partnering with the GSL, the country’s premier cricket tournament, is a natural fit, as cricket unites the Caribbean and provides a powerful platform for talent development, showcasing excellence, and entertainment.”
Imran McSood Amjad, Executive Chairman of NAGICO Insurances, added that “As a lifelong cricket enthusiast and of proud Guyanese origin, it brings me great joy to see our company continue its decades-long tradition of supporting cricket by becoming a Partner of the GSL. It is truly our pleasure to support a tournament that represents the very best of Guyanese and Caribbean sport.”
This partnership comes at a pivotal time as the GSL continues to grow its reputation as a must-watch T20 competition, delivering high-quality cricket and entertainment while contributing to the development of the sport in Guyana and the wider Caribbean.
KPSM Conducts Targeted Controls Focused on Firearm and Narcotics Prevention.
PHILIPSBURG:--- On Tuesday, April 21st, 2026, the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) carried out several targeted controls at various locations across the island, including the Maho area, Dutch Quarter, Fort Willem, and A.Th. Illidge Road.
These controls were conducted with a strong focus on the prevention of illegal firearm possession and narcotics-related activities. Preventative searches were also carried out as part of the operation. This initiative is part of KPSM’s broader efforts to address ongoing public safety concerns, particularly the rise in traffic accidents recorded in the first quarter of 2026 and recent robberies involving scooter users.
During the controls, a total of five scooter riders were stopped and checked. Two riders initially refused to comply with police instructions to stop but were later intercepted with the assistance of additional patrol units. Upon inspection, both scooters were found to be not roadworthy, and the required documentation was not in order. The riders were issued fines, and the scooters were subsequently impounded.
KPSM emphasizes that these controls are also part of ongoing efforts to maintain public order and safety during the Carnival period, when increased activity requires heightened vigilance.
The police strongly urge all road users, including scooter riders and motorists, to cooperate fully with officers during such controls. Refusal to comply with lawful instructions from police officers is considered a punishable offense.
Minister Brug: VSA continues its course to strengthen its workforce and transform the Ministry.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Richinel Brug, continues to advance the strengthening of the Ministry of VSA in line with the Governing Program 2024–2028, guided by the Ministry’s 2025 State of Affairs assessment. The 2025 State of Affairs assessment document and 2026 management team kick off sessions, confirmed that clear direction is essential to moving the Ministry forward.
The State of Affairs assessment confirmed that while VSA is a dedicated and resilient organization, it has been operating in a fragmented and reactive manner, with departments often working in silos, processes inconsistently applied, and limited alignment across the Ministry. It further highlighted that without clear structure, coordination, and strategic coherence, even strong individual efforts do not always translate into collective results.
“In an environment where capacity is limited and demands are high, you cannot afford to move without clarity,” Minister Brug stated. “The assessment made it clear: before we accelerate, we must align.”
Over the past months, that clarity has been established. A shared, ministry-wide strategy for the period 2026–2029 has been developed in close collaboration with management across all departments. This strategy builds directly on the findings of the assessment and provides a unified direction for the Ministry moving forward. The focus has now shifted toward strengthening the Ministry from within—addressing the structural and operational gaps identified in the assessment and moving deliberately toward a more integrated and coordinated organization. This transformation is not a single project, but a structured, multi-year effort.
As part of this effort, several initiatives are currently underway:
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Investing in becoming more data-driven, recognizing the need for stronger data systems and evidence-based policymaking as highlighted in the assessment
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Providing hands-on operational support to key executing organizations such as the Collective Prevention Services (CPS), strengthening the link between policy and execution
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Optimizing internal processes and introducing light digitization to address inefficiencies caused by manual and inconsistent workflows
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Strengthening internal coordination by introducing shared dashboards and a more structured management cadence, improving visibility and alignment across departments
The ultimate goal remains clear: a stronger VSA Ministry—better organized, better coordinated, and better equipped to serve its staff, its partner institutions, our people. This project is a two-year plan that started January 2026. Quarterly updates will be provided to management, staff, and the community.