Recent Headlines

Ministries must show how they will raise revenue, not only spend, says Finance Minister

Government

GREAT BAY--Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs says ministries will be expected to explain how they intend to increase revenue, not only outline new spending, as government works to bring Budget 2026 to Parliament in May and establish an earlier, more disciplined start to the 2027 budget cycle.

Tribune Editorial Staff
February 23, 2026
Government

CBCS Strategic Plan 2026–2028 Released

GREAT BAY--The Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten has published its Strategic Plan 2026–2028, outlining a three-year roadmap focused on safeguarding financial stability, strengthening supervision, modernizing the payments landscape, embedding sustainability, and accelerating the Bank’s digital transformation.
Education

Government starts early childhood curriculum guidelines development

GREAT BAY--The Government of Sint Maarten has commenced the development of national Early Childhood Development (ECD) Curriculum Guidelines for daycare centers, marking a significant step toward enhancing early learning for young children.
More News
Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina congratulates Prime Minister Rob Jetten on formation of new Dutch Govt
GREAT BAY--The Government of St. Maarten on Monday extended congratulations to the Government of the Netherlands on the formation of a new coalition administration led by Prime Minister Rob Jetten.
Tribune Editorial Staff
February 23, 2026
Government
Minister says legislation is not yet in place to properly engage platforms like Revolut
GREAT BAY--Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs says government intends to advance new financial-sector legislation to support modern payment services and strengthen consumer protection, after public reporting indicated that major digital payment platforms are not currently pursuing the St. Maarten market due to commercial viability and scale.
Tribune Editorial Staff
February 23, 2026
Government
Road Fund moving forward, new plates, road tax by vehicle weight
GREAT BAY--Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs on Monday said government will move forward with a dedicated Road Fund, while also preparing improvements to road tax compliance that could include introducing new license plates because the current sticker system cannot yet deliver the level of enforcement it was intended to support.
Tribune Editorial Staff
February 23, 2026
Government
Two new casinos possible, Minister says casinos not paying ToT should be revisited
GREAT BAY--The possibility of one or two additional casinos entering the market is on the radar of the Government of St. Maarten, at the same time Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs said that casinos being exempt from Turnover Tax (ToT) should be revisited. This exemption is regulated in St. Maarten’s turnover tax ordinance.
Tribune Editorial Staff
February 23, 2026
Infrastructure
MP Chris Wever, DAM Caribbean draft traffic proposal for VROMI and TEATT
GREAT BAY--As St. Maarten continues to grow as a premier tourism destination, Member of Parliament Christopher Wever is drawing attention to what he describes as a widening imbalance between tourism investment and the pace of infrastructure development, an issue he says is now showing up most clearly in daily traffic congestion and long-term sustainability risks.
February 22, 2026
Culture
Where Culture Lives Artist Prize opens February 23
GREAT BAY--The Where Culture Lives (WCL) project has announced the launch of the WCL Artist Prize, an open call inviting artists and creatives in Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maarten to submit original work interpreting where and how culture lives in their communities.
Tribune Editorial Staff
February 22, 2026
Opinion
If We Don’t Raise Our Children, the Justice System Will
February 22, 2026
Might is Right, or is it? The Empire Strikes Again Part 1
February 22, 2026
It Wasn’t Me, And That’s the Problem - Part 1
February 22, 2026
Weekend Read

Cuba was there for the Caribbean, the Caribbean has abandoned Cuba

February 20, 2026

Court Ruling in Bonaire climate case spotlights colonial legacy in climate adaptation debate

February 20, 2026

Youth Climate advocate Oriana Wouters urges IPKO to shift from “reactive policy” to anticipatory governance

February 20, 2026

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