PHILIPSBURG: --- Members of Parliament on Friday paused the start of the 2026 Budget debate to express heartfelt condolences and solidarity with the people of Venezuela following the devastating earthquake that has left scores of people dead and many others affected.

Several Members of Parliament used their notification time to acknowledge the tragedy and to offer prayers for the Venezuelan people, recognizing the close ties between Sint Maarten and the Venezuelan community living on the island.

MP Sjamira Roseburg was among the first to address the disaster, expressing sincere solidarity with the people of Venezuela and wishing all those affected strength and a swift recovery.

"Our thoughts are with all those affected and we wish them strength and a swift recovery," Roseburg told Parliament before continuing with her other congratulatory messages.

Later in the session, MP Franklin Meyers echoed those sentiments, noting that Venezuela has already endured years of hardship and that another natural disaster would only deepen the suffering of its people.

"In the past couple of years that country has been through a lot, and to be hit with this natural disaster, I can only imagine what it is like and what they are feeling at this particular time," Meyers said while extending his prayers and thoughts to the Venezuelan people.

Other Members of Parliament including Francisco Lacroes also joined his parliamentary colleagues by expressing concern over reports indicating that nearly 200 people had reportedly lost their lives. He said his prayers were not only with those in Venezuela but also with members of the Venezuelan diaspora residing in Sint Maarten.

"I hope that they've gotten in contact with their families and that they could help them in any way possible," Lacroes said.

The expressions of sympathy reflected the strong cultural and family connections that exist between Venezuela and the Caribbean islands, including Sint Maarten, where many Venezuelan nationals have established homes and businesses over the years.

As Parliament proceeded with the national budget discussions, lawmakers first set aside politics to acknowledge the human tragedy unfolding in the neighboring South American nation, sending a united message of compassion and support to those mourning their loved ones.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Friday, June 5, the Department of Youth conducted a training session for representatives of several youth-serving organizations across St. Maarten. The training focused on equipping youth leaders with the skills and tools needed to facilitate meaningful youth dialogues within their organizations.

The session was facilitated by Ms. Dwynette Eversley, a consultant specializing in youth development and youth work. Participants received guidance on how to engage young people in structured discussions and creative activities designed to encourage them to share their thoughts and perspectives.

Youth between the ages of 4 and 12 who participate in various youth organizations will take part in these interactive dialogues under the guidance of their respective youth leaders or other facilitators. The sessions will be conducted between June and September 2026.

The Youth Dialogues Initiative aims to gather the perspectives, experiences, opinions, and ideas of young people on St. Maarten. The information collected will help inform the direction of youth policy and the development of programs that reflect the needs and aspirations of the island’s youth.

By providing young people with a platform to express their views, the Department of Youth is taking an important step toward ensuring that the voices of children are included in shaping a brighter future for St. Maarten.

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MARIGOT:--- The Regional Cancer Screening Coordination Center (CRCDC) for Guadeloupe, St. Martin, and St. Barthélemy has launched its 2026 "Juin Vert" (Green June) campaign, an ambitious initiative aimed at encouraging more women to undergo cervical cancer screening and to break long-standing taboos surrounding women's health.

Held annually throughout June, the national awareness campaign places a strong emphasis this year on prevention, self-care, and female well-being through a more modern, positive, and digital approach designed to reach younger women, particularly those between the ages of 25 and 35.

The campaign carries a simple but powerful message:

"Taking care of yourself also means getting screened."

A preventable cancer that still claims lives

According to the CRCDC, cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that can largely be prevented through two complementary measures: vaccination against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and regular screening.

When precancerous lesions are detected early, treatment can prevent the disease from developing into cervical cancer. Despite these advances, health officials say the disease continues to have a significant impact in the region.

Statistics presented by the CRCDC show that Guadeloupe records approximately 30 new cases of cervical cancer annually, with 32 cases reported in 2022. The disease claimed 16 lives in 2022, while the five-year survival rate stands at 57 percent, compared to 63 percent in mainland France.

Health officials say these figures underscore the urgent need to improve access to prevention, early detection, and public education.

Screening participation remains too low

CRCDC is particularly concerned about participation rates in organized screening programs.

Women between 25 and 29 years old are encouraged to undergo cervical smear testing, while women aged 30 to 65 should receive HPV screening.

Between 2023 and 2025:

• 8,958 women aged 25-29 were eligible for screening, but only 2,771 were screened.
• Among women aged 30-65, 112,201 were eligible, yet only 21,686 participated, representing a participation rate of just 19.3 percent.

Overall participation reached 56 percent in Guadeloupe, compared to the national average of 60.9 percent.

The CRCDC hopes the new campaign will encourage women to make cervical cancer screening a regular part of their healthcare routine.

Jalylane Maës Named Campaign Ambassador

Leading this year's awareness campaign is Jalylane Maës, Miss Guadeloupe 2023 and second runner-up in Miss France 2024.

The CRCDC selected Maës to serve as the face of the campaign because of her ability to connect with younger generations and promote a positive message about women's health.

Officials believe her influence will help normalize conversations about cervical cancer screening, encourage women to seek preventive care, and reinforce the message that looking after one's health is an act of confidence, strength, and self-love.

Community Outreach and Public Events

Throughout June, the CRCDC organized several activities to raise public awareness.

These included community outreach events offering cancer screening information and prevention services, a professional dinner conference bringing together physicians, gynecologists, oncologists, pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare specialists to discuss improving cervical cancer care, and a large Self-Care Village featuring educational presentations, wellness workshops, HPV awareness sessions, yoga, nutrition advice, artistic activities, and public discussions centered on women's health.

Healthcare professionals also examined challenges affecting cervical cancer prevention, including expanding HPV vaccination coverage, improving access to screening in underserved communities, increasing the number of specialists available to patients, and strengthening coordination throughout the healthcare system.

Breaking the Taboo

Unlike traditional public health campaigns that often rely on fear-based messaging, the CRCDC says this year's initiative embraces a more positive, inclusive and empowering approach.

Officials hope to remove the stigma surrounding intimate health by presenting screening as an important form of self-care rather than a medical obligation.

The campaign also seeks to expand its digital presence through social media, educational videos, testimonials, and partnerships with community ambassadors to reach younger audiences and encourage both women and men to become active participants in cancer prevention.

"The goal is to make prevention more accessible, encourage open conversations about women's health, and remind everyone that early detection saves lives," the CRCDC stated.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) is seeking the assistance of the general public in locating Shamarr Hodge, a 16-year-old boy who has been reported missing.

According to the information received, Shamarr left his residence on Monte Video Drive shortly after 11:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. At the time he left home, he was wearing a shirt and pajama bottoms and was not wearing shorts.

Shamarr was born on Sint Maarten and is a student at the Charlotte Brookson Academy. He is described as being of slim build with a dark complexion.

KPSM is asking anyone who may have seen Shamarr or who has any information regarding his whereabouts to immediately contact the Police Station at +1 (721) 542-2222 or call 911.

Shamarr, if you see this message, please contact your guardian as soon as possible at +1 (721) 522-0032 so that your family knows you are safe.