PHILIPSBURG:---The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation has strongly objected to the government’s decision to close a section of Pondfill during the Carnival season, arguing that the move disrupts access to the official Carnival Village and negatively impacts booth holders operating inside the venue.
In a letter to the Minister, SCDF President Edwardo Radjouki described the decision as unfair and said it effectively creates a second Carnival Village outside the official grounds, diverting patrons and sales away from licensed operators inside.
The foundation also raised concerns about safety, saying crowds gathering outside the Village are not subject to the same security screening, controls, or monitoring as those entering the official Carnival area.
However, the controversy has also sparked wider public debate over the use of Festival Village booths throughout the year and who should benefit financially during the Carnival season.
Critics have questioned what government should do with booth holders who occupy Festival Village spaces for much of the year — in some cases reportedly up to ten months annually — and whether those operators should be prevented from earning income during Carnival, the busiest commercial period of the year.
Others argue that if private business owners are being restricted, then accountability should apply across the board, including to SCDF itself. Questions have also been raised regarding the foundation’s annual public subsidy and whether full financial statements are consistently submitted to government as part of transparency and funding requirements.
The broader issue has now evolved beyond road closures and vendor placement into a larger discussion about fairness, economic opportunity, public accountability, and how Carnival revenues should be shared among stakeholders.
As Carnival festivities continue in St. Maarten, many residents are calling for government to create a balanced policy that protects public safety, ensures transparency, and allows all legitimate businesses a fair opportunity to benefit from the island’s premier cultural celebration.
80 multifunctional bins aims to aid cleanliness in Philipsburg.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Ongoing efforts to improve cleanliness in Philipsburg and enhance both the visitor and resident experience continue with the phased placement of multifunction garbage bins in key areas across St. Maarten's capital, Philipsburg.
The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport, and Telecommunication (TEATT) procured a total of 80 bins as part of the 2023 national budget capital expenditures, as part of the broader Beautification of Philipsburg initiative. The bins are being introduced in high-traffic locations, including the Boardwalk, Front Street, and Back Street, where effective waste management is essential to maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for all who live, work, and visit the area. As part of the initial phase of the rollout, 23 multifunction bins have been installed along the Philipsburg Boardwalk.
The bin placement is part of a coordinated approach to address ongoing cleanliness challenges in Philipsburg, particularly in zones with high daily foot traffic. In response, TEATT Grisha Heyliger-Marten engaged Port St. Maarten Group (PSG) to support a temporary servicing arrangement during the peak cruise season, ensuring that priority locations remained properly maintained during periods of increased demand.
“Philipsburg is not only the center of our tourism activity, but also a space used daily by residents and businesses,” Heyliger-Marten stated. “Maintaining a clean and orderly environment is essential to both the visitor experience and the quality of life for our people. This initiative reflects a structured and ongoing effort to raise that standard.”
The temporary collaboration with PSG reflects a practical public–private approach to maintaining cleanliness during peak periods. Discussions are ongoing regarding the continuation of this support, as servicing and maintenance responsibilities transition to the Ministry of VROMI.
The multifunction bins are designed to support more efficient waste management and include integrated ashtrays to reduce cigarette litter. The units also provide opportunities for future advertising, which may help sustain maintenance efforts over time.
The Minister said that the placement of the bins is part of a wider effort to revitalize Philipsburg, supported by strengthened coordination between government and private-sector partners.
The Minister also called on residents and businesses to play an active role in maintaining the cleanliness of Philipsburg.” While the public bins are intended for pedestrian use and not for the disposal of commercial waste, everyone is encouraged to use them properly, avoid littering in public spaces, and dispose of cigarette waste in the built in ashtrays. Businesses, in particular, are reminded of their responsibility to manage and dispose of their own waste responsibly and to ensure that the areas directly in front of their establishments remain clean and free of debris throughout the day. Simple, consistent actions make a visible difference.”
TEATT will continue to coordinate with VROMI and relevant partners to ensure the full operationalization of servicing and maintenance as the rollout progresses.
Anguilla in Shock after double killing in Island Harbour.
~Governor and Premier condemn violence, urge the public to help the police investigation.~
THE VALLEY, Anguilla:--- Anguilla was left reeling yesterday after two people were killed in a shocking shooting incident in Island Harbor, prompting an urgent response from the country’s top leaders and law enforcement authorities.
In a rare joint statement issued on 27 April 2026, Governor Julia Crouch and Premier Cora Richardson Hodge expressed “deepest condolences” to the families, friends, and loved ones of the two victims, whose deaths have sent waves of grief across the island community.
The fatal shootings, which occurred earlier in the day, have sparked widespread concern in a territory known for its close-knit communities and relatively low levels of violent crime.
“Violence has no place in our society,” the statement declared. “We stand with the people in rejecting the taking of life of any individual, and are dedicated to fostering peace, security, and respect for human life.”
Police have launched a full-scale investigation into what officials described as “brutal murders,” with multiple lines of inquiry now underway. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the victims or details surrounding the circumstances of the attack.
The Governor and Premier pledged their full support to the Royal Anguilla Police Force as officers work to bring those responsible to justice.
Residents are being urged to come forward with any information that may assist investigators. Officials emphasized that tips can be provided anonymously through SecureAXA.com.
The killings have shaken many in Island Harbor and beyond, with community members expressing sorrow and disbelief over the violence.
As night fell across Anguilla, many were left mourning the loss of two lives and searching for answers in the wake of one of the island’s most troubling incidents in recent memory.
Air Antilles Grounded for Good.
~Court Orders Immediate Liquidation, Ending Regional Airline’s Turbulent Final Chapter~
POINTE-À-PITRE, Guadeloupe:--- Air Antilles, once a key carrier linking islands across the Caribbean, has been ordered into judicial liquidation, bringing an abrupt end to the airline’s operations and leaving 116 employees facing immediate uncertainty.
The ruling was handed down Monday by the Mixed Commercial Court of Pointe-à-Pitre, which rejected all takeover bids after concluding none offered a credible or financially secure path forward.
The decision closes a dramatic and closely watched rescue process that began when the airline entered court-supervised restructuring earlier this year.
Last Rescue Bid Fails
The final remaining proposal to continue Air Antilles’ flight operations came from businessman Pierre Sainte-Luce, whose company sought to acquire the assets needed to relaunch the airline under the brand Air Kalinago.
His offer totaled €200,874 and included the immediate rehiring of just 13 employees, with promises of further recruitment if operations resumed successfully.
Judges acknowledged the bid presented “a structured industrial project,” but said it faced insurmountable legal and financial barriers.
Among the concerns were:
• €6 million in promised capital is still dependent on regulatory approvals
• Banking support not yet secured
• Uncertainty over obtaining an air operator certificate from the French aviation authorities
• Reliance on outside partners themselves is facing financial strain
• Overly optimistic assumptions about fuel prices and market recovery
Bigger Offer Withdrawn
Another proposal, from London-based Karaïbes Eco Rayonnance Consulting Ltd (KERC), had pledged €3 million and the retention of 104 jobs.
But the company withdrew during proceedings after failing to prove that a reported €90 million Turkish financing package was immediately available and transferable in euros.
Jobs Lost, Flights Halted
With no viable buyer accepted, the court ordered an immediate cessation of activity.
The airline’s administrator will now oversee shutdown procedures, while a judicial liquidator begins verifying debts and ranking creditors.
For staff, unions, and travelers across the French Caribbean, the ruling lands as a devastating blow.
End of a Regional Lifeline
Air Antilles had long served routes connecting Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, Dominica, Saint Lucia, and other nearby destinations — often providing essential regional links where ferry travel was slow or impractical.
Its collapse raises fresh concerns about:
• Reduced inter-island connectivity
• Higher fares from remaining carriers
• Job losses across the aviation and tourism sectors
• Reduced competition in the regional market
Another Asset Also Liquidated
The court also liquidated R Plane 9, owner of an ATR 42-600 aircraft linked to the Air Antilles fleet. Separate offers to acquire that entity were rejected because of legal and technical complications involving the aircraft.
Final Boarding Call
For passengers and workers alike, Monday’s ruling marks the final chapter of a carrier whose story became increasingly chaotic in recent years.
Air Antilles has now made its last landing.
Double Fatal Shooting Shakes Island Harbour.
The Valley, Anguilla:--- A double fatal shooting in Island Harbor during the early hours of Monday has left the community reeling and police probing the circumstances of the killings.
Royal Anguilla Police Force (RAPF) officers and emergency personnel responded to reports of gunfire between 5:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. and discovered two male victims with apparent gunshot wounds. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Identities of the victims have not yet been released pending next-of-kin notifications.
Investigators remain on site and have launched a criminal inquiry into the incident. RAPF said the matter is under active investigation and that detectives are pursuing forensic leads and witness accounts.
“We are asking anyone who may have seen or heard anything in the Island Harbor area this morning to come forward,” a RAPF spokesperson said. The force urged members of the public with information to contact the RAPF directly or submit tips anonymously through SecureAXA.com.
No arrests have been announced. Authorities did not provide details on a possible motive or whether the victims were known to each other.
The shooting marks one of the most serious violent incidents in Anguilla this year and has prompted increased patrols in the area as investigators continue to gather evidence and interview potential witnesses. Further updates will be released as more information becomes available.