PHILIPSBURG:--- Sint Maarten Library, in collaboration with Soualiga Capoeira and AXUM Café, is pleased to present an interactive Capoeira workshop as part of the 2025 Black History Awareness Program. The event will take place on February 22, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at AXUM Café in Philipsburg.
This dynamic workshop will explore the deep historical and cultural connections between Capoeira, Black history, and the Caribbean. Designed for participants of all ages, the session aims to educate attendees about Capoeira—an Afro-Brazilian martial art that fuses dance, music, and acrobatics—and its significance in shaping cultural identity across the Caribbean.
“Capoeira is more than just a martial art; it is a powerful expression of culture and resilience,” said a representative from Soualiga Capoeira. “We are excited to share its history and impact with the community through this engaging workshop.”
As part of the program, Soualiga Capoeira will also donate and present a reading of Tres Moleques: Capoeira Explained to Children, a graphic novel by Sylvia Bouboutou and Joe Cai,which will also be streamed virtually on the Sint Maarten Library's social media platform on Facebook. This captivating story follows three children on their journey to learn about Capoeira, highlighting themes of open-mindedness, perseverance, and self-esteem.
Sint Maarten Library remains committed to fostering literacy and cultural awareness through innovative initiatives. This workshop aligns perfectly with the 2025 Black History Month theme, “Passing on Our Legacy.”
Both Sint Maarten Library and Soualiga Capoeira are dedicated to supporting and promoting literacy, cultural education, and community engagement. Through events like this, they continue to provide valuable learning opportunities for the public.
We warmly invite all youth, artists, educators, historians, adults, dignitaries, and community members to participate in this enriching experience.
For more information, please contact:
EXCLUSIVE: Government Blunders Causes Further Delays in 2025 Budget Ratification.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The 2025 Budget for St. Maarten remains unpublished and unratified due to significant errors in budget amendments provided by the government, leading to an ongoing delay in finalizing the legislative process.
A letter from Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina addressed to Parliament President Mrs. Sarah Wescot Williams confirmed that the government is still incorporating amendments and verifying their accuracy. However, serious concerns have emerged regarding the quality of the amendments submitted, which have been described as “sloppy” and riddled with technical errors.
According to the Prime Minister’s update, the budget process has been stalled due to seven amendments, three from the government and four from Parliament. However, incorporating two of these amendments has revealed multiple errors that prevent the budget from being finalized.
These errors highlight a concerning lack of precision in the amendment process, including missing or incorrect dates, absent line items, and even budgeted amounts that do not match, rendering the amendments incompatible with the overall budget framework. The discrepancies are so severe that the budget cannot be published or ratified until they are corrected, further delaying critical government financial planning.
With budget approval being one of the most essential responsibilities of any government, the delays could have ripple effects on government agencies, businesses, and social programs that depend on timely budget allocations, leaving the country in a state of financial uncertainty.
Additionally, it appears the government has sought advice from the Netherlands regarding a procedure known as "novelle wetgeving." While this mechanism is used in Dutch legislative processes to amend bills before final approval, it remains unclear how the government plans to implement such a procedure in St. Maarten, given that the country does not have a bicameral system. The execution of this approach within the framework of the Constitution of St. Maarten raises further questions about legal feasibility and parliamentary oversight.
SMN News is interested in knowing the position of the Governor and the 15 Members of Parliament regarding this procedure and whether there is a true constitutional legal basis for its application in St. Maarten. Given the concerns surrounding transparency and governance, clarity from the highest levels of government is essential to ensure that any legislative process follows the proper constitutional framework.
As the people of St. Maarten wait for answers, officials must now work swiftly to correct these issues and ensure the budget is finalized. The longer the delay continues, the greater the potential consequences for the nation’s financial stability.
SMN News will continue to follow this story as more details emerge.
Maduro & Curiel’s Bank appoints Quinten Fraai as new President & CEO.
Willemstad, Curaçao:--- Maduro & Curiel’s Bank (MCB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Quinten Fraai as its new President & CEO, effective June 1, 2025. Quinten brings extensive international banking experience, having worked across multiple countries and cultures. In addition to his professional expertise, he has strong personal and family ties to the Dutch Caribbean and an understanding of the community. Lionel (Chicu) Capriles II, MCB’s current President & CEO, will take on a new role as a member of the Supervisory Board, pending Central Bank approval, ensuring his expertise and deep knowledge of the bank remain available.
Quinten Fraai brings over 30 years of experience in financial services. He currently is the CEO of Monuta, a leading funeral insurance and services provider in the Netherlands with well over 1.5 million policyholders. Before that, he served as CEO of NN Insurance Belgium & Luxembourg. His extensive banking career spans over two decades and includes key leadership roles as co-CEO of ING Direct Japan, General Manager of Direct Channels at ING Bank Belgium, Director of Savings and Mortgage Operations for ING Direct in the UK, and EVP Operations at ING Direct USA.
Islay McGlynn, Chair of the Supervisory Board at MCB states: “MCB plays a key role in the economies and communities of the Dutch Caribbean islands, and we were looking for a leader who understands that responsibility. Quinten brings strong experience in banking, digital growth, and strategy, but just as importantly, he shares the values of MCB. We are confident he will lead our Bank with vision and care. I am also very pleased that Chicu will join the Supervisory Board, ensuring MCB can continue to benefit from his experience and knowledge as we move forward.”
Lionel (Chicu) Capriles II adds: “I warmly welcome Quinten to the Dutch Caribbean. He is the right person to uphold the family values that have been at the heart of our Bank since 1916. MCB is strong, resilient, and well-positioned for the future, and I have full confidence that Quinten will build on this solid foundation. I will personally ensure a smooth and seamless transition as I move into my new role on the Supervisory Board, where I look forward to supporting him and the Bank in this next phase of its journey.”
Quinten Fraai comments: “I’m truly honored to join MCB, a bank that has been integral to the Dutch Caribbean for so long. With my father born and raised in Curaçao, I always felt a deep connection to the islands. I developed an appreciation for the culture and, above all, the deep sense of community that makes this place so special. I understand how vital MCB is to the people and businesses of the region. Strong relationships are at the heart of both community and business, and I am committed to fostering meaningful connections and working alongside the team to uphold MCB’s heritage of trust, stability, and service.”
The appointment of Quinten is still subject to shareholder approval, which is scheduled for later this quarter. As of July 1, 2025, the MCB Management Board will consist of Quinten Fraai as Managing Director and President & CEO, Bill Said as Managing Director and Group Head, and Cris van Kempen as Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer, whose appointment (announced on January 23, 2025) remains pending the customary regulatory and shareholder approval.
Suspect Arrested in Connection with 2014 Dutch Quarter Homicide.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) has made a significant breakthrough in the investigation of a fatal shooting that took place in the Dutch Quarter on March 18, 2014.
Following the incident, a female victim was transported to the Louise Constance Hospital on the French side, where she later succumbed to her injuries. The investigation led police to identify a possible suspect, who fled to a nearby island shortly after the shooting.
Recently, KPSM received information that the suspect had returned to Sint Maarten. Upon confirmation of this intelligence, officers acted swiftly, and on the evening of Monday, February 17, 2025, the suspect was immediately arrested. He was taken into custody at Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE) and transported to the Philipsburg Police Station, where he remains detained for further questioning.
KPSM remains committed to ensuring justice for victims and their families. The investigation is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as necessary.
KPSM Press Release.
Ongoing Police Controls to Suppress Firearm Use and Enhance Community Safety.
PHILIPSBURG:--- As part of ongoing efforts to combat the illegal possession of firearms and ensure public safety, the Sint Maarten Police Force (KPSM) conducted several routine controls on the evening of Sunday, February 16, 2025. These operations are a crucial component of KPSM’s strategy to reduce criminal activities and maintain a secure environment for the community.
At approximately 10:00 PM on Sunday, February 16th, 2024, officers stopped a vehicle on A. Th. Illidge Road for a routine check. During the inspection, officers became suspicious that the vehicle may have been stolen. Further investigation led to the discovery of a firearm and an undisclosed quantity of narcotics inside the car.
The driver was immediately arrested, and the firearm, along with the narcotics, were confiscated. The suspect was transported to the Philipsburg Police Station, where he is currently being held for further questioning.
Later, at approximately 3:00 AM on Monday, February 17, 2025, a police patrol attempted to stop a scooter rider near the former Eddy’s Auto Supply Roundabout. The rider attempted to evade law enforcement but was successfully stopped by officers.
During the ensuing control, a firearm was discovered in the suspect’s possession. The individual was immediately arrested and transported to the Philipsburg Police Station, where he remains in custody for further investigation.
The Sint Maarten Police Force remains committed to enforcing the law and ensuring the safety of all residents and visitors. The possession and use of illegal firearms pose a significant threat to public safety, and KPSM will continue to take strong action against such criminal activities.
KPSM urges the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the police via the emergency number 911 or the anonymous tip line 9300.
KPSM Press Release.