~Tackling: ‘We Must Give Hope to Those Already Behind Bars’~

PHILIPSBURG:---  Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling says Sint Maarten’s justice reform will not wait for the new prison to open. The government, in partnership with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), will begin implementing rehabilitation programs immediately for current inmates.

“The UNODC is here on an initial fact-finding mission,” Tackling revealed. “They’ve hired a full-time program manager who will bring all the different components together. We need to launch these initiatives now—not after construction ends.”

Skill-Building and Reintegration

Responding to a suggestion that inmates could help with school feeding programs, Tackling said she supports that idea.

“Absolutely,” she said. “We looked at a similar program in Bonaire, where inmates prepare sandwiches for schools. We’re exploring how we can implement something like that here.”

She said such initiatives align with the ministry’s new focus on skills development, rehabilitation, and community contribution, part of a larger “Detention Sector Reform” package set to launch next week.

“This wider umbrella of reform includes the soft components—education, therapy, and skills,” Tackling explained. “We’re not only building walls; we’re building people.”

Addressing Mental Health and Care Gaps

Tackling acknowledged that mental health therapy in the prison had been temporarily disrupted due to outstanding payments to care providers.

“That’s high on my priority list,” she said. “We’re working with those organizations to settle the balances and enter into payment arrangements.”

She added that funding has already been secured to bring in professionals to assess care needs and help tailor future rehabilitation services.

“Every inmate has different needs,” Tackling said. “Our baseline study will tell us what kind of care and support systems we need to put in place.”

Balancing Justice and Capacity

While acknowledging that limited cell space has strained the system, Tackling said her goal is to restore credibility to the justice chain by ensuring that every offense—big or small—has consequences.

“Ideally, every action should have a response,” she said. “Even a night in a police cell can encourage better compliance. But to do that, we need capacity and resources.”

PHILIPSBURG: --- Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling has confirmed that the long-awaited new prison facility for Sint Maarten will soon enter its construction phase under the management of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

Speaking during Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing, Minister Tackling said the project represents “months of planning, collaboration, commitment, and meaningful reform” in Sint Maarten’s detention system.

“UNOPS is gearing up to start the construction of the new prison facility officially,” Tackling announced. “More information will be shared in the coming days, but I can assure the people of St. Maarten that progress is being made.”

The new facility will be constructed in two phases.

• Phase One, scheduled for completion in Q1 2027, will increase capacity from 80 to 120 cells.
• Phase Two, expected by 2028, will bring the total to 196 cells.

“This number was chosen carefully,” Tackling explained. “Old reports suggested we would need around 300 cells, but that’s not a number we can afford as a country. We balanced what’s realistic, what’s sustainable, and what aligns with our national budget.”

Currently, the Pointe Blanche Prison has 80 male cells, six female cells, and 15 police holding cells (limited by law to ten days of detention).

Addressing Systemic Backlogs

The Minister also addressed widespread confusion about Sint Maarten’s prison backlog.

“It’s not 300 people waiting to serve sentences — it’s roughly 300 to 400 years’ worth of sentences accumulated over time,” she clarified, citing figures from the Prosecutor’s Office.

Tackling said the capacity issue has been persistent since Hurricane Irma (2017) and compounded by human rights rulings that forced the government to reduce overcrowding.

“This isn’t new,” she said. “It’s been pervasive for at least a decade. But now we are finally seeing structural reform.”

Human Development Behind Bars

In partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Tackling’s ministry is rolling out programs focused on rehabilitation, vocational training, and reintegration.

“We need to give something to the individuals who are currently incarcerated,” she said. “We cannot just say, ‘We’re building a new facility.’ We must provide programs and activities before the new prison opens.”

She also confirmed funding for a baseline study to identify inmates’ psychological and social care needs and is exploring partnerships with local NGOs to resume mental health and therapy services disrupted by outstanding payments.

“I know how long this has taken,” Tackling admitted. “But it’s all really coming together beautifully, and I’m proud of the work we’re doing.”

PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina has confirmed that his government has formally alerted the Kingdom of the Netherlands about the growing United States naval presence in the Caribbean, calling for closer coordination and preparedness amid rising regional tensions involving Venezuela and the U.S. military.

Speaking at the weekly Council of Ministers press briefing, Dr. Mercelina said Sint Maarten cannot afford to remain passive as international powers strengthen their positions in the region.

“There is an increase in tension in the Caribbean and the northern part of South America,” Mercelina said. “Given the geographical proximity and unique geopolitical position of St. Maarten, it is my responsibility as Prime Minister to remain proactive in matters of regional security and preparedness.”

The Prime Minister confirmed that he had already discussed the issue with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof during the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month and that he has since sent a formal letter to the Kingdom Government, reinforcing Sint Maarten’s commitment to defense coordination.

“The letter will reinforce our commitment to coordination within the Kingdom on defense and security matters,” he explained, “ensuring that St. Maarten’s interests and safety are adequately represented.”

Rising Regional Tensions

The Prime Minister’s remarks come amid reports of increased U.S. Navy activity across the southern Caribbean, part of Washington’s broader response to heightened friction with Venezuela.
In recent months, international media outlets have reported new U.S. naval deployments, expanded maritime patrols, and anti-trafficking operations throughout the region. At the same time, Venezuela has boosted its own coastal defense and naval readiness.

Analysts warn that the military buildup could heighten risks for smaller Caribbean nations—raising concerns about maritime safety, migration pressures, and trade disruptions.

“The presence of competing military interests in nearby waters makes our geographic location strategically important,” a government source told The Daily Herald. “The Prime Minister wants Sint Maarten to be ready, not reactive.”

Ensuring Safety and Coordination

Dr. Mercelina emphasized that Sint Maarten’s focus is on coordination, not confrontation. He said his government’s actions are guided by a commitment to protect the island’s residents while ensuring the country’s voice is heard within Kingdom security planning.

“We must reinforce our commitment to coordination within the Kingdom,” he said. “We want to make sure Sint Maarten’s interests are not left out of discussions that directly affect our safety.”

As part of broader efforts to strengthen resilience, Mercelina said Sint Maarten is also deepening bilateral cooperation with the French side of the island on emergency management and disaster response.

“We are setting up uniform color codes for emergencies and aligning our emergency broadcast systems,” he noted. “It’s one island, one people. This uniform approach reflects our ongoing collaboration to ensure safety and well-being.”

Under the new arrangement, Dutch and French authorities will hold quarterly coordination meetings focusing on public safety, crisis management, and disaster response, especially in light of the increased military presence in regional waters.

A Proactive Foreign Policy

Mercelina’s statement signals a more assertive foreign policy approach by his administration—one that balances Sint Maarten’s limited defense capacity with its right to be informed and protected within the Kingdom.

The Prime Minister also highlighted Sint Maarten’s intention to strengthen diplomatic ties with Caribbean partners, announcing plans to attend Suriname’s 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations next month as part of the Kingdom delegation.

“We will use the opportunity to meet with Suriname’s Ministers of Economic Affairs and Agriculture,” he said. “Our goal is to build direct connections with Caribbean nations and explore opportunities for agricultural cooperation.”

Balancing Autonomy and Security

While Sint Maarten does not control its own defense forces—these fall under Kingdom responsibility—the Prime Minister stressed that autonomy does not mean isolation.

“Being part of the Kingdom comes with shared responsibilities,” he said. “Our people expect us to be vigilant, to ensure their safety, and to speak up when developments in the region affect our island.”

Mercelina described the letter to the Kingdom as part of a broader effort to make Sint Maarten an active participant in regional and Kingdom security planning, not merely an observer.

“We must stay ahead of developments,” he concluded. “That is what responsible leadership demands.”

Background

The U.S. Navy’s increased Caribbean activity—reported by international outlets such as Reuters and The Associated Press—includes heightened patrols, intelligence-sharing, and counternarcotics operations across the region.
Venezuela, in turn, has reinforced its coastal defense zones, raising concerns of potential miscalculation or maritime incidents near Caribbean territories.

Sint Maarten’s government has not reported any direct encounters or incidents involving military vessels near its waters. However, officials say the rapidly changing regional landscape underscores the need for proactive diplomacy, readiness, and unity within the Kingdom.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina says Sint Maarten must make “strong decisions” to achieve true socioeconomic progress, acknowledging that the island’s current government system is “too heavy for our population size.”

“We have built a system that looks impressive on paper,” he said, quoting from his recent speech at the Governor’s Symposium, “but financially and functionally it is too heavy for our population.”

The Prime Minister admitted that Sint Maarten has never produced a balanced budget in its 15 years of autonomy.

“I am the eighth or ninth Prime Minister to face the same reality,” he said. “We were not able to balance our budget or have sufficient capital expenditure for nation-building.”

Fiscal Reform and Revenue Growth

To bridge the gap, Mercelina said the government must raise revenues and control expenditures.

“We have to continue working on revenues for government,” he said. “That means tax reform and new revenue streams such as a tourist levy, while also being very sharp on our expenses.”

However, he emphasized that fiscal discipline alone is not enough.

“We need a third alternative,” Mercelina explained. “Otherwise, we will always keep fixing the same two things—revenue and expenses—that have never given the results we hoped for.”

That “third alternative,” he said, is a strategic vision for economic partnerships—regionally and within the Kingdom—to lift Sint Maarten’s socioeconomic status.

Regional Cooperation

The Prime Minister also highlighted closer cooperation with the French side of the island. He said quarterly meetings with French Préfet Cyrille Le Vély have been established to strengthen coordination on emergency management, public safety, and disaster preparedness.

“We are one island and one people,” he said. “This uniform approach will ensure both sides of the island respond in harmony during severe weather events.”

Mercelina also confirmed plans to attend Suriname’s 50th Independence Anniversary in November, representing Sint Maarten within the Kingdom delegation, and to explore agriculture and trade cooperation with the Surinamese government.

“Suriname is more advanced in agriculture,” he said. “We want to explore how we can develop direct cooperation for importing agricultural products to Sint Maarten.”

The Prime Minister described his leadership approach as both realistic and forward-looking.

“Until now, with the conditions and situation that we’re in, I do not see that independence can provide the care our people need,” he said. “So we must find another way to elevate our country.”

Mercelina said his government’s focus is to stabilize finances, modernize governance, and improve living standards—while nurturing a broader vision of Sint Maarten as a confident, collaborative partner within the Caribbean and the Kingdom.

“We must be honest with our people,” he concluded. “We have challenges, but we also have opportunities—and it is our duty to make the right choices now to build a stronger Sint Maarten.”