By Hilbert Haar Sint Maarten is the undisputed counterfeiting capital of the Caribbean and the counterfeited brands hardly take any action against it because the market is so small. As long as the costs outweigh the benefits, counterfeiters can do whatever they like. Casino-owner Francesco Corallo must have thought something like this when he (allegedly) decorated his Vegas casino in Cole Bay with Louis Vuitton themed decorations. He even outfitted his staff with counterfeit Vuitton uniforms. But in this case, these decisions are already having consequences and there is potentially more to come. On behalf of Vuitton, Disosa Property Protection…
Author: The Publisher
PHILIPSBURG – Casino-Owner Francesco Corallo is in trouble with the French luxury brand Louis Vuitton over alleged trademark infringements. His Vegas casino, located on Union Road in Cole Bay, is using the Louis Vuitton logo and monograms without permission. Louis Vuitton is a registered trademark with the Bureau for Intellectual Property in St. Maarten. According to a report in Antilliaans Dagblad, Vegas is even using Louis Vuitton-themed uniforms for its staff. This way the casino willingly benefits from Louis Vuitton’s global reputation and exclusivity. Wiek Herben, a Curacao-based attorney who works for Disosa Brand Protection Services says that the protected…
PHILIPSBURG-Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina on Wednesday opened the Council of Ministers press briefing by addressing growing tensions within the monetary union between St. Maarten and Curaçao, emphasizing that recent developments surrounding the Centrale Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten (CBCS) have intensified public and political debate on the future of the shared financial system. The Prime Minister’s remarks come against the backdrop of an ongoing governance dispute at the CBCS, which has reignited questions about the long-term viability of the monetary union. While both countries had previously supported the transition to the Caribbean guilder, the current situation has underscored the need for renewed dialogue and careful reassessment. “The Central…
MARIGOT–The Executive Council of the Collectivité of Saint‑Martin has approved a series of construction and urban planning projects aimed at modernizing public infrastructure, expanding housing, and improving accessibility across the French side of the island. Among the most significant decisions is the rehabilitation of the Saint‑Martin Psychiatric Hospital, a critical facility within the Centre Hospitalier Louis Constant Fleming. The psychiatric department at Louis Constant Fleming serves patients with a range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other psychiatric disorders. The hospital also coordinates with regional healthcare facilities in neighboring French territories, such as Guadeloupe, for specialized or long-term care that cannot be…
MARIGOT-The Collectivity of Saint-Martin, through its Cultural Affairs Department, will host the 2026 edition of “Jardin des Poètes”, under the theme “Rhythms & Jazz”, on Saturday, March 21, at 6:00 PM, in honor of Lady Bute. Coinciding with World Poetry Day, established by UNESCO, the event transforms a green oasis into a stage where words come alive. The Jardin des Poètes is a free, must-visit gathering for lovers of language, creativity, and oral expression, offering an opportunity to celebrate the art of speaking and listening. This cultural event aims to promote poetry by providing a platform for both emerging and established voices, showcasing the power and beauty of oral performance. …
MARIGOT-The Executive Council of Saint-Martin has issued favorable opinions for ten radio stations selected under a 2024 call for applications, marking a significant step in regulating and expanding the island’s local media sector. The review followed a formal request from the French audiovisual regulator, ARCOM (Autorité de régulation de la communication audiovisuelle et numérique), which oversees broadcasting and digital media across French overseas territories. Under Saint-Martin’s legal framework, the Executive Council is consulted on all regulatory or individual decisions that affect the operation of radio and television services on the island. The consultation process ensures that licensing decisions align with local public interest objectives while maintaining compliance with national and…
MARIGOT–The Collectivité of Saint-Martin is preparing to host its annual “Successful Departure” (SD) event, an information and orientation day designed to support young residents planning to study, work, or pursue opportunities abroad. Now in its 13th edition, the event will take place on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Chambre Consulaire Interprofessionnelle de Saint-Martin (CCISM). Traditionally aimed at school-aged students, the program has expanded in recent years to include youth outside the formal school system, job seekers, adults undergoing career changes, and parents, reflecting the Collectivité’s commitment to inclusive educational and professional mobility. Organized under the framework of the Parcours d’Orientation et de Mobilité Étudiante (POME), the event provides…
THE HAGUE – The expenditures associated with compliance with international aviation safety regulation will only have a marginal effect on the price of airline tickets in the Caribbean. Minister Vincent Karremans (Infrastructure and Water Management) writes this in answer to questions from members of the Dutch parliament. The aviation legislation for the BES-islands will be amended to meet the safety requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (Icao). Member of the PVV-faction noted in their questions that the government acknowledges that regulations have not been adjusted since the constitutional reform in 2010 and that the current regulations strongly lag behind…
PHILIPSBURG — The ongoing dispute surrounding governance at the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) has unexpectedly reopened a fundamental question: What would happen if the monetary union between Curaçao and Sint Maarten were to end? While no such decision has been made and both countries continue to operate within the existing framework, the debate has prompted policymakers and observers to consider the possible scenarios should the current arrangement eventually change. Understanding the implications requires first examining what the monetary union is, why it was created, and how it functions today. What Is the Monetary Union? When the…
THE HAGUE – Beth Holloway, mother of Alabama teenager Natalee who disappeared in 2005 on the island of Aruba, has filed a complaint in the Netherlands against Joran van der Sloot in an attempt to get justice for her daughter. She demands that Dutch authorities prosecute Van der Sloot for the death of Natalee, who was just 18 at the time of her disappearance. The Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reports that Beth Holloway wants to prevent Van der Sloot from escaping judicial responsibility for the death of her daughter. Annemiek van Spanje, Holloway’s attorney in the Netherlands, is quoted in…
