PHILIPSBURG:--- The Chairlady of Parliament of St. Maarten, Sarah A. Wescot-Williams, has called for renewed commitment, accountability, and structural strengthening of the Inter-Parliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO) following the conclusion of the recent gathering hosted in Aruba.

Speaking at the closing press briefing, the Chairlady expressed sincere gratitude to the host country, the organizers, and parliamentary colleagues from Curaçao, Aruba, and the Netherlands for the constructive dialogue held both formally and informally during the consultation.

She underscored IPKO’s unique and critical role within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, particularly given the absence of a formal Kingdom Parliament. According to the Chairlady, IPKO remains the only structured forum in which parliamentarians of the four countries can deliberate collectively on Kingdom-wide matters.

While acknowledging the quality of discussions, Wescot-Williams emphasized the recurring challenge of important issues being raised repeatedly without sustained follow-through.

She noted that IPKO has, in the past, demonstrated its capacity to take collective decisions, most notably regarding the long-discussed Dispute Regulation. However, that process ultimately stalled.

Wescot-Williams highlighted that differing legal interpretations and political perspectives among the countries make a functioning dispute regulation indispensable. She confirmed that a draft prepared by the Caribbean countries has been submitted and is currently under review via the channels for a Kingdom law.

She urged all governments involved to ensure that this matter is brought back on track and finalized, emphasizing that a credible Kingdom structure requires a reliable and fair mechanism to resolve disagreements.

“There must be a deliberate effort to avoid ‘tiptoeing around’ difficult topics,” she stated, stressing that controversial or complex matters cannot continue to be deferred once they become politically sensitive or divisive.

The Chairlady accepted a mandate to bring forward proposals aimed at improving the functioning and effectiveness of IPKO. She stressed that consultations must produce measurable outcomes and that mechanisms for continuity and accountability are essential.

Responding to a question from the media, the Chairlady also raised the broader issue of the Kingdom’s institutional framework. While not formally advocating for the immediate establishment of a Kingdom Parliament, she noted that global developments and geopolitical shifts necessitate reflection on how the rights and interests of all people within the Kingdom are safeguarded.

She opined that the structure of the Kingdom, including the potential need for a more formal parliamentary arrangement should be revisited in future IPKO consultations.

In addition to institutional matters, IPKO participants engaged in discussions on:
• Security and cybersecurity
• Climate adaptation and environmental resilience.
• Aging populations.
• The legacy of the slavery past.
• The geopolitical impact of rapidly changing global dynamics.

The Chairlady stressed that these are not abstract discussions but pressing matters that require coordinated Kingdom-level responses.

Wescot-Williams reaffirmed that IPKO remains a vital platform for parliamentary unity within the Kingdom. In the absence of a formal Kingdom Parliament, it serves as the principal venue where representatives deliberate as one body on shared responsibilities and challenges.

She concluded by expressing hope that the outcomes of this consultation would not remain confined to reports and statements, but would translate into tangible progress by the next IPKO meeting.

“Consultation must lead to consolidation, and consolidation must lead to results,” she affirmed.

ARUBA:--- From February 19 to 21, 2026, parliamentary delegations from Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, and the Netherlands gathered in Oranjestad for the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO). Hosted by the Parliament of Aruba, this three-day summit focused on pressing issues facing the Kingdom, ranging from geopolitical security to the challenges of an aging population.

The consultation resulted in a concrete list of agreements and a renewed commitment to collaboration across the Atlantic. This article breaks down the key discussions, presentations, and decisions made during this pivotal meeting.

Setting the Ground Rules: Presidium Agreements

The consultation kicked off with the Presidium meeting on February 21, where several procedural agreements were reaffirmed to ensure smooth proceedings. The Presidium, consisting of parliamentary chairpersons (excluding the Netherlands), committee chairs, and registrars, established that the Chairpersons of the Parliaments of Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, along with the committee chairs from the Netherlands, would act as delegation leaders.

Key procedural points included:

• Unified Voice: Committee chairs act as spokespersons, though other members are encouraged to participate in discussions.

• Dissenting Opinions: If a delegation holds a differing view, it is noted in the agreement list with a reference to a separate explanation. However, dissenting views from only a part of a delegation are not recorded.

• Public Access: IPKO deliberations are public and broadcast online, ensuring transparency for citizens across the Kingdom.

• Language: The official language is Dutch, though delegations can arrange their own translations if necessary.

Opening Statements and Recent Developments

The summit opened with welcome remarks from Mrs. Arends-Reyes, Chair of the Committee for Kingdom Affairs and Foreign Relations of Aruba. Following her opening, leaders from each country presented updates on recent national developments.

• Aruba: Represented by Mr. Sneek (Chair of Parliament) and Mrs. Arends-Reyes.

• Netherlands: Mrs. Mutluer, Chair of the Kingdom Relations Committee of the House of Representatives, provided updates for Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, Saba, and the European Netherlands.

• Curaçao: Represented by Mr. Brownbill (Chair of Parliament) and Mr. Seferina.

• Sint Maarten: Represented by Mrs. Wescot-Williams (Chair of Parliament) and Miss. Roseburg.

A significant follow-up from previous meetings was the establishment of an expert group on the 'Democratic Deficit.' This group is tasked with reporting on proposals to reduce democratic deficits within the Kingdom and interpreting key articles of the Charter (Statuut).

Security in a Changing Geopolitical Landscape

Security was a major theme, underscored by a technical briefing from Lieutenant Colonel Van Wijk regarding the geopolitical situation. The briefing highlighted the three main tasks of the military in the Caribbean:

1. Defense of territorial integrity.

2. Counter-narcotics operations.

3. Support for civil authorities during crises.

The region has seen increasing unrest over the past six months, including actions by the US against alleged drug transports and political instability in Venezuela following the arrest of Maduro in January 2026.

To address these threats, the delegations discussed strengthening territorial defense and increasing manpower, specifically for Caribbean Military personnel (CARMIL). This includes developing ARUMIL (Aruba) and CURMIL (Curaçao) into light infantry units. The delegations also visited ARUMIL to view the vehicles and equipment used in crisis situations.

Financial Relations and Supervision

Mr. Werleman, Director of Finance for the Aruban government, led a crucial presentation on the balance between financial management, supervision, and autonomy. He compared the different financial supervision frameworks across the Kingdom:

• Rft: Kingdom Act on Financial Supervision for Curaçao and Sint Maarten.

• LAft: National Ordinance Aruba Financial Supervision.

• HOFA: The proposed Kingdom Act on Sustainable Public Finances Aruba.

The discussion touched on complex issues like liquidity support loans and the "Landspakketten" (Country Packages). A key point of debate was whether new Kingdom laws are necessary or if national ordinances suffice, and whether the supervision model for Sint Maarten needs updating since the situation has evolved significantly since 2010.

The Future of Aviation and Connectivity

Connectivity remains a lifeline for the islands. Mr. Benschop, Mrs. Anthony, and Mrs. Brown presented the "Aruba Gateway 2030" project. This ambitious three-phase initiative aims to modernize Queen Beatrix International Airport to handle growing passenger flows sustainably.

Phase 1a, focused on US passenger handling and a new baggage system, is already operational. Subsequent phases are scheduled for completion in 2027 and 2030.

Despite modernization efforts, inter-island connectivity remains a challenge. Only 5% of flights from Aruba go to Bonaire, Curaçao, or Sint Maarten. While three airlines operate these routes, ticket prices remain high due to operational costs, handling fees, and taxes. The Dutch Caribbean Cooperation of Airports is working to address this, though simply lowering airport fees may not significantly impact ticket prices.

Cybersecurity: A Shared Responsibility

In an era of digital warfare, cybersecurity is paramount. Mr. Nicolaas, head of the Aruban Security Service, and Mrs. Spagnol-de Kort presented on "Cybersecurity Awareness." They emphasized that cyber threats ignore national borders and that the Kingdom is currently in a "gray zone" between peace and conflict regarding cyber attacks.

The presentation called for:

• Joint teams and shared incident handling.

• Information exchange and awareness campaigns.

• A common legal framework for data protection.

A concrete agreement was made to inventory whether all countries meet basic personal data protection standards (based on Council of Europe Convention 108+) before the next IPKO to facilitate safe data sharing.

Addressing the Aging Population

Mrs. Helder provided a sobering look at the demographics of Aruba and the wider Kingdom. The number of people requiring care in Aruba is projected to nearly double from 2,825 to 5,276 by 2040. Simultaneously, the "gray pressure"—the ratio of working-age people caring for the elderly—will skyrocket. By 2040, only two people will be available to care for every one elderly person, compared to 15 in 2025.

Challenges identified include:

• Extramural: Lonely elderly people, lack of transport, and a shortage of home care staff.

• Intramural: Shortage of beds in care homes, high costs, and personnel shortages.

The policy focus is on keeping the elderly at home longer, supporting informal caregivers (mantelzorgers), and creating community centers. The delegation from Curaçao proposed placing the macroeconomic aspects of aging on the future agenda.

Climate Change and Youth Involvement

Climate activist Mrs. Wouters, representing Caribbean youth, highlighted the urgency of climate adaptation. She discussed the landmark "Climate Case Bonaire" ruling from January 2026, which found the Dutch State negligent in protecting Bonaire from climate change impacts.

Mrs. Wouters proposed three key actions:

1. Explicitly including climate mitigation and adaptation as cultural goals for the islands.

2. Structural youth representation in climate discussions and international COPs.

3. Formalizing cooperation between youth experts and governments to shift from reactive to anticipatory governance.

Looking Ahead: The Road to June 2026

The consultation concluded with a look toward the future. The delegations agreed to a proposal by Sint Maarten to increase the impact of IPKO by dedicating more time to deep-dive discussions on fundamental differences.

Agenda Points for the next IPKO (Netherlands, June 5-8, 2026):

• Data Protection: Inventory of compliance with basic data protection standards.

• Aging: Macroeconomic aspects and solutions.

• Gender Equality.

• Financial Relations.

• Slavery Past.

• Follow-up on Climate Adaptation.

The success of the Aruba summit lies in recognizing that, while each country faces unique challenges, the solutions—whether in defense, healthcare, or climate resilience—are often stronger when pursued together.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament and vice chairman of the Justice Committee (MP) Lyndon Lewis has expressed deep concern and disappointment regarding recent footage circulating online that appears to show a group of armed individuals attempting to rob the Gold Finger jewelry store in Cole Bay, along Union Road.
Having personally attended the establishment’s opening, MP Lewis emphasized that the business represents a positive contribution to Sint Maarten's economy, providing employment opportunities and attracting commercial activity for residents and tourists alike. He stated that acts of violence such as this not only harm the business community but also damage the country’s reputation and economic stability.

MP Lewis noted his belief that the suspects may be young individuals from the community and stressed that such actions undermine the future and economic growth of our nation. He underscored that anyone found responsible must face the full extent of the law and the serious penalties associated with such crimes. "The individuals committing these crimes don't understand how much they are hurting the Sint Maarten product", MP Lewis stated.
MP Lewis further confirmed that he will continue discussions with the Minister of Justice, Ms. Nathalie Tackling, and other stakeholders to address public safety concerns and advocate for stronger measures to prevent similar incidents. He reiterated his commitment to ensuring that residents, visitors, and businesses feel secure throughout the country.

MP Lewis concluded by calling on the community to cooperate with law enforcement and to stand united against criminal activity, emphasizing that safeguarding national prosperity and public safety is a shared responsibility.

Cole Bay:---  An attempted robbery at a newly opened jewelry store in the Ark Building( Next to the Opal Building ) was thwarted on Thursday, leaving no injuries and no losses reported. The incident, confirmed by Police Spokesman Joe Josepha, has raised questions about the store's location and security measures.

According to police reports, armed gunmen targeted the jewelry store, which is situated in the same building as a police sub-station and near the French border. Despite their efforts, the robbers were unsuccessful and fled the scene empty-handed. Authorities have not disclosed further details about the suspects or their escape.

Police Inspector Joe Josepha revealed that, prior to the store's opening, law enforcement had advised the building's owner against establishing a jewelry business at that location. "We warned them that having a jewelry store so close to the French border could pose significant security risks," he stated. "Unfortunately, that advice was not heeded."

The Ark Building, which houses both the jewelry store and a police sub-station, is strategically located but also presents unique challenges due to its proximity to the border. The incident has reignited discussions about the importance of considering security risks when selecting business locations.

Despite the alarming nature of the attempted robbery, the situation ended without harm. "We are grateful that no one was injured and that nothing was stolen," said Josepha. Police investigations are ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.

The jewelry store's management has yet to comment on the incident. Meanwhile, local residents and business owners are calling for increased security measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Click here for Video