By Hilbert Haar The democratic revolution began in 1989 in Porto Allegre, a city with 1.4 million inhabitants in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. The city’s dramatic change of direction was copied shortly by more than one hundred Brazilian cities. Let’s take the example of Torres, a municipality in the same state as Porto Allegre, where elections were held on October 31, 2004. The obvious frontrunners were Javier Oropeza, a wealthy landowner and Walter Cattivelli. Both candidates had powerful backers so the outsider in the race, Julio Chávez was not taken seriously. Chávez wrote a short and…
Author: The Publisher
The discussion on Saba about the sale of The Edge says a lot more about us than it does about the ferry. The reactions are predictable. Shock. Nostalgia. Frustration. And then, as always, the same question: who is going to fix this? Government? The Netherlands? Someone else? But very few are asking the only question that actually matters: Why aren’t we fixing it ourselves? Let’s be honest for a moment. For years, The Edge was not just a ferry. It was a lifeline—connecting Saba to St. Maarten in about 90 minutes, supporting tourism, mobility, and economic activity. And yet, like…
MARIGOT–The President of the Collectivité of Saint-Martin, Luis Mussington, has issued an order authorizing the organisation of a commercial street fair (braderie) on Rue du Général de Gaulle in Marigot on Friday, April 10 and Saturday, April 11, 2026. The event is being organised by the association Actions Économiques et Citoyennes de SXM, represented by President Yann LECAM, following approval from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Saint-Martin. Under the authorisation, activities on Friday, April 10 will be limited to in-store sales within existing businesses along the street, with no stands permitted on public land. On Saturday, April 11, Rue du Général de Gaulle will be closed to vehicular traffic and converted into a pedestrian zone from 7:00…
By Cdr. Bud Slabbaert Was a feasibility study conducted before investing in Air Antilles? Demonstrating due diligence, especially for high-investment or high-impact initiatives, reflects professionalism. It is standard practice when making an investment. A feasibility study is important because it protects against wasting time, money, political capital, and credibility on a project that cannot succeed. A feasibility study assesses whether the necessary technology, skills, infrastructure, and operational capacity exist, or can realistically be acquired. This prevents engaging in projects that look good on paper but fail in execution. It identifies risks early by examining technical, financial, legal, and planning constraints;…
Philipsburg, Sint Maarten – Member of Parliament Francisco A. Lacroes has formally requested an update from the Minister of Justice regarding the police-involved shooting that occurred on February 13, 2026, in St. Peters, which resulted in the death of Rudy “Rock” Benjamin. The incident, which took place in the St. Peters community, involved police responding to reports of a firearm. During the encounter, officers discharged their weapons, and Benjamin was fatally struck. Authorities confirmed at the time that the matter had been handed over to the Landsrecherche for investigation. While an initial statement was issued following the incident, no further…
By Hilbert Haar Integrity is not a slogan – it is a standard and in URSM that standard will always be upheld. This is the last line of an email URSM sent the media accompanied by a lengthy statement about its row with Minister Richinel Brug (Public Health, Social Development and Labor, VSA). Here is a definition of the term integrity: “It is the quality of being honest, having strong moral principles and consistently adhering to ethical standards. It means doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” One thing, as far as I know, is for damn…
PHILIPSBURG — The board of the Unified Resilient St. Maarten Movement (URSM) has responded to a letter issued by its Minister of Public Health (VSA) Richinel Brug with a lengthy and yet unclear statement. It accuses Minister Brug of “false narratives and coordinated attempts at public manipulation” without providing any specifics. Towards the end of the statement, the board announces that it is finalizing a formal reply to Minister Brug’s letter. “Every claim, assertion and misrepresentation will be addressed thoroughly, factually and in proper context.” Before getting to that point, the URSM-board alleges that Minister Brug has deliberately “spread misinformation,…
PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten (April 8, 2026) — St, Maarten welcomed Southwest Airlines’ inaugural nonstop flight from Orlando on Tuesday, marking a significant expansion of the island’s airlift and strengthening its connection to the United States market. Southwest Flight 1873 touched down at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) just after midday, inaugurating a new daily nonstop service between Orlando International Airport (MCO) and St. Maarten, with a flight time of approximately three hours. The new route provides direct access to one of the United States’ busiest travel hubs, connecting St. Maarten to millions of potential visitors and offering onward access to…
Simpson Bay, St. Maarten, April 2nd, 2026 — Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE) is proud to announce the return of its aviation photography competition, ToppiX, after a 10-year hiatus. Last held in 2016, the competition is making a highly anticipated comeback in 2026, marking a special moment for aviation enthusiasts and the local community. The relaunch of ToppiX coincides with the inaugural arrival of Southwest Airlines to Sint Maarten on April 7, 2026, offering participants a unique opportunity to capture this historic milestone. Participants are invited to photograph the first Southwest landing at SXM from any safe and permitted location,…
MARIGOT–The Territorial Council of Saint-Martin has approved its 2026 draft budget, described as “constrained but balanced,” maintaining investment levels while tightening operational spending in a challenging financial environment. Meeting in plenary session on March 27, 2026, council members voted by majority to adopt the budget, which totals €276.3 million and is balanced in both revenue and expenditure. Despite fiscal pressures, the Collectivité has opted to sustain key public investments while implementing modest savings in day-to-day operations. The 2026 budget allocates €105.4 million to investment, a level broadly consistent with 2025, when €107.7 million was committed. At the same time, operating expenditures have been reduced by approximately €2 million,…
