~Bacuna and Advocaat perform first strike CBWillemstad/Philipsburg~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) issues two commemorative coins to mark the Curaçao national football team’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup - a silver Cg 5.00 coin and a Cg 0.50 circulation-quality coin. Curaçao national team midfielder Juninho Bacuna and former head coach Dick Advocaat - under whose leadership Curaçao qualified for the 2026 World Cup - performed the ceremonial first strike of the silver Cg 5.00 coin this morning at the Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt (Royal Dutch Mint) in Houten. The Cg 0.50 commemorative coin is produced by the Royal Canadian Mint. Both coins will be available for purchase and will enter circulation later this month.
The Curaçao national football team made history by qualifying for the 2026 World Cup for the first time, becoming the smallest country by population ever to achieve this feat. With this exceptional accomplishment, Curaçao has also secured a place in the Guinness Book of Records. The issuance of these commemorative coins serves as a tangible tribute to this milestone. The coins are intended as a lasting symbol of national pride and a reminder of the moment Curaçao took its place on the world stage.
Both coins feature the powerful blue wave, silhouettes of the players as a tribute to their dedication and determination, the stars of the Curaçao flag reflecting the nation’s identity, and of course the football — the heart of this historic achievement.
Prior to the first strike ceremony, CBCS spokesperson Nancy van der Wal stated that the Blue Wave had not only conquered the football field: “The Blue Wave has also touched the hearts of people and even rolled through the gates of the Central Bank. We immediately knew that we could not let this moment pass without creating a lasting memory. That is why the CBCS took the initiative to immortalize this special occasion with two commemorative coins.”
The first strike took place in the presence of Wouter Jansen, Curaçao team manager at Federashon Futbòl Kòrsou (FFK); Kees Jansma, FFK’s press officer; Bert van Ravenswaaij, Director and Mint Master at the Royal Dutch Mint; and Danielle Ranzijn, Senior Project Manager at the Royal Dutch Mint.
The silver Cg 5.00 coin will be available at a retail price of Cg 175.00. The Cg 0.50 circulation coin will be distributed through commercial banks in Curaçao and will also be offered in special collector’s packaging at the CBCS—providing a unique opportunity to own a lasting memento of this historic achievement.
Please visit the CBCS website for more information regarding availability: www.centralbank.cw/functions/banknotes-coins/caribbean-guilder-commemorative-coins.
Willemstad, May 7, 2026 CENTRALE BANK VAN CURAÇAO EN SINT MAARTENCS honors Curaçao’s

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  This week marks Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week, which is from May 04 -10. The recurring theme is: Small Bite Big Threat! “Fight the Bite, Destroy Mosquito Breeding Sites.”
The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) is committed to keeping the public informed and making frequent ‘calls to action’ to the community to take action and eliminate mosquito breeding sites by taking a weekly 10-minute walk around your home, yard, and business establishment.
CPS is appealing once again to continue to take action after every rainfall event to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and, in doing so, protect our community from mosquito-borne diseases. Community vigilance is key.
The objective of Caribbean Mosquito Awareness Week is to strengthen existing initiatives and mobilize the public to eliminate mosquito breeding sites from public and private places.
CPS supports the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) campaign this week and appeals to the community to always be alert to act right after a rainfall event to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
Mosquitoes can breed in as little as half an inch of water. This is not a lot of water, and plant saucers are one of those unassuming places that can gather a small amount and still be a huge breeding site for your backyard mosquito.
Source reduction, search and destroy is the key to decreasing the mosquito population. Due to the tropical nature of our climate, breeding habitats are in abundance, and many of them are unfortunately man-made.
For issues surrounding mosquito breeding sites, contact CPS’ vector control team by calling 542-1222/1570 or 914. Ask to be contacted by the vector control team.
You can also email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with supporting pictures and contact information to report a mosquito nuisance or request assistance.
Eradicating mosquito breeding sites should become a habitual lifestyle of each citizen, let us minimize the mosquito population at its source!
Protection tips for travelers and residents is to wear protective clothing: Long-sleeved shirts and long pants, especially at dusk and dawn.
Use Repellent: Apply insect repellents containing DEET, Picaridin, or IR3535. Screening: Ensure windows and doors have mesh screens to keep mosquitoes out of the home/business.

WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG – The Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) has taken note of recent media reports regarding Ennia Caribe Holding (Aruba) N.V. (ECHA) and its subsidiaries (ENNIA Aruba).
As previously communicated by the CBCS and the Centrale Bank van Aruba (CBA) in a joint statement, strategic options for ENNIA Aruba are currently being explored. This process is ongoing and is proceeding constructively and in close cooperation between the CBCS and the CBA.
Due to the confidentiality of this process, the CBCS cannot provide detailed information about the content of the discussions or the various strategic options under consideration. However, the CBCS notes that recent media coverage contains several inaccuracies and presents a misleading picture of the current situation.
The shares of the Aruban insurance companies are held by ECHA, which, in accordance with the outline agreement of April 11, 2024, has been placed under VEHIA N.V. The CBCS emphasizes that the strategic process for ENNIA Aruba does not affect the company’s activities or day-to-day operations. ENNIA Aruba is an independently operating and financially sound institution under the supervision of the CBA.
In assessing the various strategic options, the CBCS continuously considers the interests of both ENNIA Aruba and its policyholders, as well as those of the broader ENNIA Group and its policyholders. The CBCS and the CBA will continue to work closely together to ensure that this process proceeds carefully, orderly, and in the interest of financial stability and all stakeholders involved.

Willemstad, May 6, 2026
CENTRALE BANK VAN CURACAO EN SINT MAARTEN

PHILIPSBURG:--- A group of approximately ten documented construction workers says they have been left jobless after spending more than a year working for FTC Construction, a company they claim operates from the French side while carrying out major projects on the Dutch side of St. Maarten.
The workers allege that despite holding legal residency and work documentation, they were dismissed after their contracts ended and were not rehired when the company reportedly began several new construction projects across the island.
One worker, who has lived on the island for 16 years and holds permanent residency, said the group worked for the company for “one year and three months” on a project in Cupe Coy before being told their contracts had expired. Shortly after, they allegedly discovered that the company had launched additional projects near Port de Plaisance and other locations without recalling the documented employees.
“We home and not getting work while they have people there without papers working,” the worker stated during an interview.
The employees claim the company currently employs more than 50 undocumented Venezuelan nationals on construction sites. They further allege that immigration inspections are being leaked to management in advance, allowing undocumented workers to avoid detection.
According to the worker, supervisors allegedly warn undocumented employees not to report to work on days when immigration officers are expected to visit construction sites. “When immigration come on the work site, the guy that run the place come the day before and tell everybody who don’t have paper, don’t come to work,” he claimed.
The allegations have raised concerns about possible corruption and information leaks within government agencies. The workers claim they suspect connections between company management and officials within the labor and immigration departments because complaints reportedly never lead to action.
The group says they attempted to file complaints with the Labor Department but became fearful after being asked to provide identification and personal details.
“They are asking for my ID and my name. I never give them my name and my ID because I don’t want nobody know that is me making a report,” the worker explained, adding that they fear victimization or blacklisting if their identities become known.
The workers also questioned why documented employees with legal status are allegedly being overlooked while undocumented laborers continue to work openly on large-scale projects.
FTC Construction is reportedly involved in several major developments on the island, including projects in Cupe Coy and Port de Plaisance. Efforts to independently verify the claims and obtain a response from the company were unsuccessful up to press time.
The allegations come amid ongoing public concern over illegal labor, labor protections for documented workers, and the enforcement of immigration regulations within the construction sector on St. Maarten.
Authorities from the Labor Department and Immigration Department have not yet publicly commented on the accusations.

Response from FT Construction.

Request for Publication of Response Regarding Recent Article
Dear Editor,
We are writing in response to the article titled “Documented workers claim discrimination, fear retaliation at construction company,” published on May 6, 2026. (smn-news.com)
FT Construction firmly rejects the allegations and insinuations contained in the article. The publication presents a series of anonymous accusations as factual claims without any supporting evidence, verification, or meaningful opportunity for the company to provide a response prior to publishing.
The suggestion that the company engages in discriminatory hiring practices, , knowingly employs undocumented workers, or receives advance warnings regarding inspections is categorically denied.
FT Construction is a major actor of local employment and economy and like many companies in the construction sector, employment contracts may conclude based on project timelines, operational needs, workforce requirements and qualifications. The expiration or non-renewal of a contract should not automatically be interpreted as discrimination or retaliation.
We are particularly concerned that serious allegations implying corruption and illegal conduct were published based solely on anonymous statements, without any factual findings from the relevant authorities. Responsible journalism requires verification and balance, especially when accusations can significantly damage the reputation of a company, its management, and the many employees and families who depend on it.
FT Construction remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and legal compliance. We reserve the right to take appropriate action to protect our reputation against the dissemination of false or defamatory information.
We respectfully request that this response be published in full in the interest of fairness and balanced reporting.
Sincerely,
Benoit BROUSSY, Managing Director