PHILIPSBURG:--- The Court of First Instance of Sint Maarten has annulled a formal warning issued to Docta Catering N.V., operator of the restaurant and bar District 721, by the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic, and Telecommunications (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger Marten. In a verdict delivered today, November 24, 2025, the court found the warning was issued without sufficient evidence and was contrary to the principles of due care.
The case centered on a formal warning letter sent to Docta Catering on May 7, 2025. The letter alleged that the establishment had violated noise level conditions stipulated in its operating permit. Specifically, it claimed a noise level of 81.5 dBA was recorded at the entrance of the Cole Bay establishment during a control on April 30, 2025. The permit allows for a maximum of 75 dB outside the establishment.
Docta Catering contested the warning, arguing that no sound check was performed on April 30. The company also pointed out that the warning letter itself stated that a second control on May 2, 2025, found no violations. To support its case, Docta Catering submitted a video recording from the night of May 2, in which an inspector is heard confirming the sound levels were acceptable at that time.
In its defense, the Ministry of TEATT initially claimed the warning was a preventive measure and not subject to appeal. However, the court ruled that because the warning was based on policy and could lead to more severe sanctions like closure or license revocation without a set expiration date, it must be treated as an appealable decision to protect the business's legal rights.
The Ministry later admitted the April 30 date in the warning letter was a mistake and that the alleged violation actually occurred on May 2. It presented a control report from May 5, which stated that noise levels "consistently exceeded 80 dBA" for a 40-minute period on May 2.
However, the court found significant contradictions in the Ministry's evidence. The judge highlighted that the official warning letter explicitly stated no violations were found on May 2, directly contradicting the Ministry's later claims. Furthermore, the testimony of the inspector present on-site, who confirmed that the music was only briefly too loud upon her arrival before being lowered, undermined the control report's claim of "consistent" non-compliance.
The court concluded that the Ministry failed to provide credible and sufficient evidence to prove a noise violation occurred. The judge stated that the control report did not provide an accurate representation of the facts and, therefore, could not serve as a proper basis for the warning.
As a result, the court declared Docta Catering's appeal well-founded and annulled the warning letter. The Ministry of TEATT has been ordered to pay Docta Catering N.V. Cg 1,400 for legal costs and reimburse the Cg 150 in court registry fees.
This verdict underscores the importance of procedural accuracy and solid evidence in regulatory enforcement. For business owners, it reaffirms their right to challenge administrative actions that are not properly substantiated. For the government, it serves as a clear reminder that its enforcement actions must be based on carefully documented and consistent facts to withstand legal scrutiny. Both parties have six weeks to appeal the decision at the Joint Court of Justice.

Click here to read the verdict of the court.

PHILIPSBURG:--- In response to the devastating impact of Typhoon Ragasa between September 22 and 23, 2025, Tzu Chi Foundation St. Maarten organized a month-long fundraising campaign to support affected families in Taiwan, China, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and neighbouring regions. The campaign ran from September 25 to October 31, 2025.

Upon learning of the disaster, Commissioner Sister Sandra immediately convened volunteers to plan an emergency response. Despite limited resources, the team launched island-wide fundraising efforts, visiting public areas, walking through communities, and standing in front of shops to share information about the disaster and encourage donations.

The campaign saw countless moving moments. Residents with very little still gave what they could, shop owners donated despite slow business, and children participated by holding bamboo banks to inspire others. Many donors recalled Tzu Chi’s support after Hurricane Irma in 2017 and wanted to “give back” to help disaster survivors abroad.

Through these coordinated efforts, Tzu Chi St. Maarten successfully raised US $10,184.28. All funds were remitted in full to Tzu Chi Taiwan on November 17, 2025, ensuring aid reaches those most in need as quickly as possible.

“We are deeply moved by the love shown by the people of St. Maarten,” said Commissioner Sandra Cheung. “Although we live far away, compassion has no boundaries. Every donation, whether large or small, is a blessing that carries warmth across the ocean.”

Volunteers also expressed appreciation for the opportunity to join the global Tzu Chi community in providing timely support to Typhoon Ragasa victims.

The Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation has been serving St. Maarten since 2005, providing disaster relief, humanitarian aid, food assistance, education support, and community care. Guided by Master Cheng Yen’s teachings of compassion, gratitude, and action, Tzu Chi strives to bring relief to those suffering and hope to those in hardship.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministers of Health of Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten, together with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports of the Netherlands, convened on Thursday, 20 November 2025, in Sint Maarten for the Four-Country Consultation on Public Health. This annual high-level dialogue remains a cornerstone for coordinated health governance and joint policy development within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

This year’s consultation, the first since 2023, addressed shared public health challenges and strategic opportunities for deeper regional cooperation. The agenda focused on priority areas, including:

• Strengthening cross-border healthcare and pandemic preparedness
• Enhancing crisis and disaster response capacity
• Advancing joint initiatives in mental health, prevention, and healthy lifestyle promotion
• Improving continuity of care, workforce development, and training capacity across the health sector

Results

With regard to pandemic preparedness and the fight against infectious diseases, the four countries agree on the continued development of the Dutch Caribbean Public Health Expertise Network (DuCaPHEN). Thereby reinforcing the shared commitment to expertise exchange and regional coordination in public health. The countries also reaffirmed their intention to work toward harmonized public health legislation across the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, with particular attention to involuntary mental health care and cross-border referral of mental health clients.

The four countries are taking steps to improve crisis preparedness, which is essential to ensuring the Kingdom can respond in a coordinated and effective manner to any health crisis.

Collective commitment

The consultation, hosted by the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor of Sint Maarten, concluded with the formal signing of conclusions underlining their collective commitment to strengthening public health systems and cooperation within the Kingdom.

Minister Richenel Brug (Sint Maarten): “Today’s agreements reflect our shared resolve to build a resilient, responsive, and collaborative public health system for the people of our islands. Strengthening these partnerships is essential to safeguarding health and well-being across the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.”

Minister Roderick Middelhof (Curaçao): “A strong health-care system is built on preparedness, prevention, mental well-being, quality, and a capable workforce. By committing to these principles together, we strengthen our collective resilience.”

State Secretary Judith Tielen (the Netherlands): “Patients who need complex mental health care are among the most vulnerable. We are stepping up for them by strengthening mental health services for everyone in the Kingdom. With our joint efforts we aim to create alignment between our laws and regulations in the field of involuntary mental health care. I am truly grateful for the willingness of each country to help provide these services to patients from islands where such care is not yet available.

Minister Melvin Wyatt – Ras (Aruba): “I would like to acknowledge an important moment for Aruba. We are honored to assume the chairmanship of the Four-Country Consultation for the coming year. It is a responsibility we welcome with commitment and pride. We look forward to hosting the next session and continuing the work we have collectively advanced today. Aruba will strive to continue fostering cooperation, innovation, and unity within the Kingdom — always guided by the conviction that a healthier Kingdom is indeed a stronger Kingdom.”

PHILIPSBURG:---  The St. Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB) proudly announces the local winners of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) 2025 Poster and Essay Competition, spotlighting the outstanding creativity and critical thinking displayed by St. Maarten’s youth.

In the Junior Division, Kayra Balani of St. Joseph School captured first place in the Essay Competition, while Wish-Mae Bailey earned top honors in the Poster Category.

In the Senior Division, Raynella Gomez of St. Maarten Academy secured first place in the Essay Competition, and Evan Amatdjais emerged as the winner of the Poster Category.

All winning entries have been submitted to FCCA Headquarters for regional judging. Regional winners are expected to be announced on Wednesday, December 10, 2025.

May-Ling Chun, Director of Tourism, commended the students for their achievements, stating:
“We are incredibly proud of these young ambassadors who continue to showcase the depth of talent and imagination found here in St. Maarten. Their work reflects not only creativity but also a genuine understanding of the importance of tourism and community. We congratulate each of them and look forward to seeing how they shine on the regional stage.”

The St. Maarten Tourism Bureau extends its appreciation to all participating schools for their partnership and support.

STB congratulates all winners and wishes them every success as they represent St. Maarten in the regional competition.

For additional inquiries, contact STB at +1-721-549-0200.