PHILIPSBURG – The Court in First Instance sentenced Johan Dijkhoffz to an 11-month prison sentence for bribing Christophe Emmanuel who was at the time minister of Public Housing, Urban Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Vromi) and for abusing the minister’s position. Emmanuel received a 29-month prison sentence for the same facts. Dijkhoffz, who is 59, is according to the ruling suffering from a lengthy and serious illness but that did not prevent the court from imposing an unconditional prison sentence. Between December 20, 2016 and January 15, 2018 Dijkhoffz abused Emmanuel’s position as Minister of Vromi. This crime carries a maximum…
Author: The Publisher
A police officer in Bonaire who signed a false report of attempted manslaughter following a high-speed chase—despite knowing no such offense had occurred—has been rightfully dismissed, the Court of Civil Servants has ruled. The case involves a female officer of the Caribbean Netherlands Police Force (KPCN), who was dismissed on April 29, 2025, by the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. She challenged the decision, but the court has now upheld her dismissal, citing serious breaches of integrity. False report after high-speed chase The incident dates back to March 2024, when police officers pursued a vehicle during a high-speed chase that…
St. Maarten’s economy is expected to continue expanding in 2026 following a strong performance in 2025, but growing geopolitical tensions and global uncertainties could weigh on the outlook, according to the latest Economic Bulletin of the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten (CBCS). After posting real GDP growth of 3.4 percent in 2025, St. Maarten is projected to grow by 2.4 percent in 2026, reflecting a gradual normalization following the post-pandemic recovery. The expansion continues to be driven largely by tourism, which remains the backbone of the island’s economy, along with related sectors such as transport, trade and construction. CBCS President Richard Doornbosch noted that while the recovery remains intact, St. Maarten’s open…
MARIGOT–The Collectivité of Saint-Martin, in collaboration with final-year students of the Métiers du Commerce et de la Vente (MCV) program at Daniella Jeffry Vocational High School, will host the opening of a photography exhibition titled “In the Style of Martin Parr” on Wednesday, April 1, at 5:00pm. The exhibition will be on display in the lobby of the Collectivité building in Marigot from April 1 through April 24, 2026, highlighting contemporary and original photographic perspectives on life in Saint-Martin. Inspired by the work of renowned British photographer Martin Parr, the students have developed a series of images that reflect on modern society and the unique character of the…
by Cdr. Bud Slabbaert The Caribbean will make Renewal certain, and Renewal will be the new status symbol. The Caribbean sets a new global standard of restorative luxury. Luxury that gives you your life back. The Caribbean concept where science, ritual, and climate restore what the world has taken. Those may become the headlines in the media and tourism promotion. But there must be substance behind those appealing catchlines. That is where thinking and action begins. Yet, only a handful of places in the region can carry that weight. The first step would be choosing the first pilot location, the…
ORANJESTAD — A recent court ruling in Aruba is sending a clear signal to civil servants across Aruba, Curaçao and St. Maarten: prolonged inactivity and refusal to accept suitable work can ultimately lead to dismissal from government service. The judgment, issued on March 9, 2026, and published on March 26, underscores that reintegration obligations are not optional and that authorities are entitled to terminate employment when officials fail to cooperate. The case is widely seen as a benchmark for how governments within the Dutch Caribbean may address long-standing cases of non-active personnel. Aruba civil servant The Court of First Instance in Aruba has upheld the dismissal of a…
By Hilbert Haar Former VROMI-minister Christophe Emmanuel is next in a long line of politicians who thought that the law does not apply to them. His sentence to 29 months of imprisonment (that can still be appealed) sends a strong message to all those who have not been caught yet: if you break the law, there will be consequences. While the guilty verdict against Emmanuel comes as a pleasant surprise for those who play by the rules, it is, sadly, not more than a blip on the radar. Many have gone before him and many will come after him. It…
Students can once again apply for the Kingdom Scholarship starting April 1, 2026. The scholarship allows students within the Dutch Kingdom to temporarily study or complete an internship in another part of the Kingdom. The Kingdom Scholarship is available to students enrolled at educational institutions listed on the RCN website across Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, St. Maarten, or the Netherlands. Eligible students are those pursuing MBO (level 3 or 4), HBO, or WO programs. With the scholarship, students can undertake a study exchange or internship lasting from 21 days up to six months at a recognized institution, organization, or company elsewhere in…
The Court of Appeal has reduced the prison sentence of Bernard Stroud (55) from 17 years to 13 years and six months, ruling that the original sentence was excessive and further lowering it due to delays in the appeal process. The decision, handed down Thursday, March 26, upholds Stroud’s convictions for multiple counts of sexual abuse involving young girls, as well as illegal possession of a firearm and marijuana. However, the court found that the length of the sentence imposed in 2022 required adjustment. In its judgment, the appellate court determined that the 17-year sentence imposed by the Court of First Instance was too severe.…
MARIGOT – The Collectivité of Saint-Martin, in collaboration with the Maison de Saint-Martin, will host the 13th edition of its annual “Successful Departure” event this Saturday, March 28, at the Chamber of Commerce (CCISM). The initiative is aimed at helping students and young residents prepare for studies or training abroad, offering practical guidance on adapting to life away from the island. Originally designed for final-year secondary school students planning to continue their education overseas, the event has expanded this year to include a wider audience. In addition to high school seniors, it now welcomes vocational students, young adults pursuing higher education, job seekers,…
