SXMElections.com

Court Rejects Crypto Bribery Claims Against Brison, Citing Lack Of Proof

Former MP Rolando Brison, lottery boss Robbie dos Santos and businessman Sunil Gehani have been acquitted of crypto bribery

PHILIPSBURG A central pillar of the prosecutions case against former Member of Parliament (MP) Read more

Public Weather Forecast For St. Maarten

PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST FOR ST. MAARTENDATE ISSUED: Wednesday, 29th April 2026 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) 30th April 2026WEATHER:This afternoon through Thursday midday: Occasionally cloudy with brief isolated showers.Forecast High: 30C / 86F               Forecast Low: 26C / 79FSunset Today: 6:33 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:47 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Thursday midday: East northeast to east southeast with a light to gentle breeze at 4 to 12 mph.SYNOPSIS: Lingering moist and instability will support periods of cloudiness and brief isolated showers Read more

PUBLIC WEATHER FORECAST FOR ST. MAARTENDATE ISSUED: Tuesday, 28th April 2026 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) 29th April 2026WEATHER:Today: Cloudy with scattered rain-showers and a chance of isolated thunderstorms.Wednesday morning through midday: Occasionally cloudy with isolated showers.Forecast High: 29C / 84F               Forecast Low: 25C / 77FSunset Today: 6:33 P.M.                    Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:47 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Southeasterly to easterly with a light to moderate breeze at 4 to 14 mph.SYNOPSIS: A moist and unstable atmosphere will persist and support cloudiness, showers, and a chance of isolated thunderstorms Read more

Brug Joins Ambulance Dept. In J'ouvert Morning Parade

VSA Minister Richinel Brug during the parade.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA, Richinel Brug, joined the Ambulance Department early Monday Read more

Minister Gumbs Outlines Plan For School Supply Shortages

PHILIPSBURG--A multi-phased plan to address long-standing supply shortages and operational challenges in public schools is now being implemented, ECYS Minister Melissa Gumbs said during the continuation of a meeting of Parliament on Thursday.

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CollectivitS Territorial Plan For Economic Development Set For Adoption Autumn 2026

A workshop in progress in the Chamber of Commerce.

MARIGOT--In March 2025, the Collectivit launched the Territorial Plan for Economic Development, Innovation and Internationalisation (STDEII) initiative, led by the Attractiveness, Economy and Employment Delegation under the auspices of First Vice-President Alain Richardson.

The aim of the initiative was to draw up an economic development plan tailored to the territorys needs, covering the next five years Read more

Mp Lacroes Wants Proactive Approach As Regional Migration Pressures Hikes

MP Francisco Lacroes (head of table) at the meeting.

PHILIPSBURG--United Peoples party (UP) Member of Parliament (MP) Francisco Lacroes is calling for a more proactive and Read more

St. Maarten Calls For Stronger Eu Action, Investment At Eu-Oct Forum

Minister Plenipotentiary Gracita Arrindell addressing the forum.

ORANJESTAD--St. Maarten has called for stronger European Union action and increased investment to support development and reduce external dependency during the 21st Overseas Countries and TerritoriesEuropean Union (EU-OCT) Forum.

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Grisha Accepts Owen Arthur Scholarship For St. Maarten

Deputy Prime Minister and TEATT Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten, second from left, accepts the Owen Arthur Scholarship on behalf of St. Maarten, with Port St. Maarten Group CEO Alexander Gumbs at left, FCCA Foundation Chairman Micky Arison second from right, and FCCA CEO Michele Paige at right.

TEATT Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten, second from left, accepts the Owen Arthur Scholarship on behalf of St Read more

Participants and facilitators

Sharing knowledge

PHILIPSBURG--The St. Maarten Library, in collaboration with the St. Maarten Tax Administration, hosted its second annual tax workshop at the Belvedere Community Center on Friday, April 10, where approximately 25 senior citizens gathered for an informative session.

Designed for persons ages 60 and over, the session included a practical presentation and an interactive tax case study, giving participants a clearer understanding of how to complete their income tax forms Read more

DATE ISSUED: Wednesday 15th April 2026 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) 16th April 2026WEATHER:This afternoon & evening: Variably cloudy. There is a low chance of showers.Tonight, through Thursday midday: Variably cloudy and occasionally breezy with isolated showers.Forecast High: 30C / 86F              Forecast Low:  25C / 77FSunset Today: 6:29 P.M.                  Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:55 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Thursday midday: Southeasterly to easterly, with a light to moderate breeze, between 6 to 15 mph.SYNOPSIS: Relatively warm and moist southeasterly winds will maintain weak instability across the area Read more

Gebe Utility Relief Pilot Assists 238 Households, Cg. 70,650 Monthly

VSA Minister Richinel Brug.

PHILIPSBURG--A total of Cg. 70,650 has been applied to utility bills, while an average of 238 households per month received support under the NV GEBE Utility Relief Pilot Programme during its first three months, Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour VSA Read more

Cafy Reflects On Growth, Wellness In Student Week

A scene during the event

POND ISLAND--The University of St. Martins Caribbean Academic Foundation Year (CAFY) students recently participated in an engaging and impactful Student Success Week, a three-day initiative designed to support their academic, personal and social developm Read more

DATE ISSUED: Thursday 9th April 2026 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) 10th April 2026WEATHER:This afternoon through Friday midday: Fair to partly cloudy, slightly hazy and occasionally breezy. Brisk showers are likely.Forecast High: 30C / 86F              Forecast Low:  26C / 79FSunset Today: 6:28 P.M.                  Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:00 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Friday midday: East to southeasterly, with a gentle to moderate breeze, at 8 to 16 mph.SYNOPSIS: A high-pressure system dominates and limits showers across the region Read more

An Island Of Strong Women

By Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Division Director for the Caribbean

During one of my visits to Sint Maarten, I spoke with a woman who works as a taxi driver. She had once held a job in a hotel that was highly seasonal, leaving her with little or no income during the off-season and few opportunities to increase her earnings. Determined to change her situation, she moved into the transport sector, starting out as a taxi driver. She worked long hours during the high season, saved money, and later rented an additional vehicle and hired another driver Read more

Interscholastic Swim Meets 2026

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Excitement filled the air on Sunday, March 29th, as students, parents, and supporters gathered to witness the annual Caribbean Gems Interscholastic Elementary and High School Swim Meets. The event, organized by Caribbean Gems, Carib Swim Team (CST), and the St. Maarten Aquatic Federation (SMAF), brought together young swimmers from the different schools in a spirited display of talent and sportsmanship.

The morning session kicked off with the elementary school competition, featuring seven participating schools Read more

Xoey Fitzpatrick Aventurin Captivates Audience With Talent, Culture, Wins Junior Carnival Crown

2026 Junior Carnival Queen Xanisha Xoey Fitzpatrick Aventurin (second left) flanked by second runner up YSheyda Madramootoo (left), MP Sjamira Roseburg (third left), first runner-up Kayla Fontenelle (fourth left) and Kyrie Fleming, who placed third (right).

MADAME ESTATE--The St. Maarten Junior Carnival Pageant 2026 reached a thrilling climax on Saturday, March 28, asXanisha Xoey Fitzpatrick Aventurin was crowned Junior Carnival Queen, earning 845 points and standing out in a field of talented young contestants at the Aleeze Convention Center.

The packed audience witnessed a showcase of creativity, culture, and youthful excellence, as Xoeys performances left a lasting impression on judges and spectators alike.

The competition concluded with Xoey winning the crown as well as Miss Amity, Miss Popularity, Best Speech, Best Talent and Best Carnival Costume Read more

Scdf Urges Teatt Minister To Be Tough On Supermarket Price Gouging

PHILIPSBURG--The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) is voicing its full support for comments made by Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten against price gouging in the wake of the conflict involving the United States and Iran, while warning that unfai Read more

PHILIPSBURG--The St Maarten National Athletics Federation is calling on the community for urgent support to help send a delegation of athletes and officials to represent St. Maarten at the prestigious CARIFTA Games in Grenada April 4 to 6, 2026, with the total cost for the full team estimated at $17,400.

The CARIFTA Games are widely regarded as the Caribbeans premier youth track and field competition and have historically served as a launching pad for some of the regions top international athletes Read more

DATE ISSUED: Wednesday, 11th March 2026 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) 12th March 2026WEATHER:This afternoon through Thursday midday: Occasionally cloudy and slightly breezy with isolated showers.Forecast High: 29C / 84F               Forecast Low: 22C / 72FSunset Today: 6:21 P.M.                    Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:23 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Thursday midday: Easterly with a gentle to moderate breeze at 8 to 18 mph, and possible higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: Moisture and instability associated with a low level trough will support showers across the area Read more

Defence: Robbie Dos Santos Dragged By The Hair Into Lissabon Investigation

Robbie Dos Santos (Photo courtesy Antilliaans Dagblad).

By Jacqueline Hooftman

PHILIPSBURG--Businessman Robbie Dos Santos was effectively dragged by the hair into the Lissabon investigation, his attorneys Niels van der Laan and Olga Kostrzewski argued in court this week, questioning both the origins of the case against him and the strength of the evidence presented by prosecutors.

On Tuesday, defence lawyer Van der Laan delivered an extensive plea requesting the full acquittal of Dos Santos Read more

Local, Surinamese Prison Guards Sworn In To Strengthen Operations

Justice Minister Nathalie Tackling and Prison Director Steven Carty pose with the sworn in correctional officers.

PHILIPSBURG--A group of local correctional officers and fourteen officers from Suriname were officially sworn in on Friday, in a move the Ministry of Justice says will help strengthen operational capacity at Point Blanche Prison.

During the ceremony, Justice Minister Nathalie Tackling acknowledged that the swearing-in of several local officers had been delayed and offered an apology on behalf of the Ministry for the time it took to complete the process Read more

Up Mp Lacroes Urges Govt To Review Model Law For Marine-Coastal Tourism

MP Francisco Lacroes.

PHILIPSBURG--United Peoples (UP) Member of Parliament (MP) Francisco Lacroes on Wednesday urged the government to examine the Model Law on Sustainable Marine-Coastal Community Tourism when preparing zoning and conservation policies.

He said coastal territories remain undervalued and insufficiently protected in many cases Read more

New Mural Added To Clem Labega Square

Philipsburg – A new mural has been added to the pay station at Clem Labega Square as part of the @ColorMeSXM project by the Be The Change Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of General Affairs. Since 2020, the initiative has introduced more than 24 murals throughout Philipsburg. The new mural was funded by the Mondriaan Fund, which promotes visual arts and cultural heritage in the Netherlands and the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.

We are excited about the central and highly visible location of this mural and grateful to everyone who supported its completion, said Laura Bijnsdorp, Coordinator of @ColorMeSXM Read more