Dear Editor,

Caribbean activists who promote a justice project which tolerates no external or internal criticism strike us as fundamentalists. The actions of these justice warriors resemble those of born-again “American” missionaries, who claim that “there is only one way, their way, one path to justice and to salvation, their path, and they will lead the chosen people to the promised land.” We see the same tendency on St. Maarten anad Saint Martin, where the Holy Trinity among the island’s independistas boils down to:

1) The unification of both sides of the island into the sovereign nation-state of St. Martin;

2) The implementation of laws that will guarantee that those with longstanding roots to the island occupy the positions of authority in government and companies where the government owns major shares;

3) And, the call and promise to re-engineer the economy and social life in a way that returns multicultural St. Martin to the real St. Martiners.

While posing of Caribbean and radical, it is actually a rehashing of the American dream exported to the Global South after World War Two.

Permit us an elaboration.

Names matter and it speaks volumes that the USA usurped the name “America” for itself. No other country on the American landmass, including the islands, can pull off that feat. The USA has been an expansive warmongering project from its founding as the 13 colonies which gained political independence from Great Britain. The lands where the remaining first peoples resided were mercilessly conquered, while the USA waged war with Mexico and Spain to annex places such as Texas, California, and Puerto Rico. And let's not get started about Hawaii, Guam, the operations of the United Fruit Company in Central America, etc,. Or, the segregation and exploitation of African Americans to promote the wealth and comfort of the elites among those deemed the true “Americans”. At the turn of the 20^th century as the colonized world and Haiti were fighting for dignity, respect, bread, and a global commonwealth of decent societies, the USA was simply deemed another imperial power.

Enter more guns accompanied by soft power and a masterful public relations campaign. After winning World War 2 and half-heartedly conceding the hard-won battles of its internal the civil rights movements, the USA crafted itself as the alternative to not only fascist Germany and Italy, but also to France, the UK, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Denmark – the old European colonial powers. The USA of President Roosevelt, Eisenhower, JFK, and Lyndon Johnson would help the colonies of Old Europe become politically independent in the form of nation-states. And whether they wanted it or not, it would keep them safe from the supposed communist threat of Stalin, Fidel, and Mao Zedong.

Culturally the USA branded itself as Christian as opposed to ungodly Europe. “America” was Billy Graham and Pentecostalism, missionizing the world in a respectful way. Conversely, for those with secular tastes, the USA was the land of Jazz, Motown, Feminism, Martin Luther King Jr, Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Prince and Michael Jackson. Global youth culture was dominated by “black American culture”, and, supposedly, despite the continuing racism there was no place on earth where “black people” had it as good as the USA. “America” was the land of opportunity where supposedly anyone who worked hard could make it.

The ideal the USA promoted through its influence in UN organs and legislation was a world consisting of sovereign nation-states where free pro-“American” trade was the gospel. The message was clear: the world should be open for “American” business, and it would go to war – economic and military – with anyone who sought to think beyond the nation-state and circumvent its economic interest. The acts of the 47^th tenant of the White House are not so new. Remember Grenada, remember Nicaragua, remember the ongoing boycott against Cuba, and you will appreciate why the gunboat diplomacy towards Venezuela is not so new.

All remains fine in the former colonized countries as long as they couch their justice projects in the post-World War 2 dominant “American” script: every historical people with a unique culture has to refashion themselves into a nation, and every nation is the legitimate owner of a piece of land termed its state. Other people can live on the land, but it belongs to a chosen people, the autochthons. They have the right to self-determination enshrined in the annals of the UN. They, the people, are the sovereigns who chose a leader from their midst who understands that their needs and wants come first. When that is not the case society has to be re-engineered and the usurpers (read migrants and foreigners) put in their place. The gospel of pro-American free trade, however, is to remain untouched.

If this all sounds familiar it is because the Holy Trinity with which we started is the American dream being sold on St. Maarten and Saint Maarten as a justice project. Perhaps the essence of power is to have one's nightmarish dream become ennobled by becoming the creed of activists that emerged from the historically dominated. Justice based on the privilege of skin, ancestry, or lineage is no justice at all. Radical democrats in France and the Netherlands, the so-called colonial centers, are engaged in a mortal battle against this perversion of justice. Where is the battle against this perversion taking place on St. Maarten and Saint Martin? … In the local university – USM? … In the unions? … In the churches? … In the unruly multiculture of everyday?

Perhaps it is time to dream another dream?

Prof. dr. Francio Guadeloupe

Endowed Professor in the Public Anthropology of Kingdom Relations at University of Amsterdam (UvA),

Senior researcher at the Royal Netherlands Institute for Southeast Asian and Caribbean studies (KNAW-KITLV)

Dear Editor,

Kick ’Em Jenny is an active undersea volcano located about 8 kilometers (5 miles) north of the island of Grenada in the Caribbean Sea. It is the only “live” submarine volcano in the Eastern Caribbean and one of the most active from time to time.

At the end of August 2025, the region was jolted when approximately 800 tremors were detected between August 27 and 28. The University of the West Indies (UWI) Seismic Research Centre (SRC) out of Trinidad and Tobago constantly monitors the volcano and maintains a maritime exclusion zone.

The UWI SRC refers to the tremors as the “unrest.” The last period of “unrest” was a four-day period in February 2024, during which over 3,400 events were recorded.

The volcano's first recorded eruption was in 1939, when a powerful explosive event was witnessed from northern Grenada. This eruption caused minor damage to nearby islands. Grenada reported high waves as well the islands of the Grenadines such as Carriacou and Petite Martinique. A small tsunami reached the west coast shores of the island of Barbados which reportedly caused minor coastal flooding.

Since its discovery, Kick ’Em Jenny has erupted at least a dozen times. Most of these eruptions have been detected by seismic and acoustic instruments, as they did not break the surface of the sea. The activity has ranged from explosive events that produced ash clouds and small tsunamis to more quiet, effusive eruptions.

The last confirmed eruptive episode of Kick ’Em Jenny took place on April 29, 2017. This eruption, like many others since 1939, was a short-lived event primarily detected by seismic signals.

There is a Kick ’Em Jenny Submarine Volcano Alert Level scale in place. Green indicates the volcano is quiet; Yellow indicates the volcano is restless, and this is the current level of alert. The other alert levels are, Orange, highly elevated level of seismic activity which could be an indication that an eruption may occur with less than 24 hours’ notice; and alert level Red, eruption is in progress or may occur without further warning.

According to research carried out, the primary tsunami threat from a major eruption of Kick ’Em Jenny is to the islands in the eastern Caribbean such as Grenada, because of its close proximity; The Grenadines (particularly the southern islands like Carriacou and Petite Martinique); St. Vincent; Barbados; Martinique; Trinidad and Tobago; and St. Lucia.

A very large tsunami could potentially reach a wider area, including the northern coast of Venezuela and the Leeward Islands, which would include St. Maarten. However, the severity of the threat decreases with distance from the volcano.

The travel time for a tsunami to reach St. Maarten from Kick ’Em Jenny would depend on the size and force of the eruption. However, modeling and historical data from past events indicate that within 90 minutes, it would take a tsunami to reach the Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico

The potential impact based on research to St. Maarten would be coastal flooding that would lead to potential damage to infrastructure located along the coast, including resorts and homes.

Damage to infrastructure from powerful waves can disrupt transportation, power, seaport, airport, and communication systems. Besides those being damaged, this would further reflect on economic disruptions similar to what Hurricane Irma did in 2017.

Then there is the threat to life, particularly for people on beaches (if there is a tsunami during the daytime) or in low-lying coastal areas.

Predicting the exact height of a tsunami wave that would reach St. Maarten from an eruption of Kick ’Em Jenny has been described as a complex task, as the wave height would depend on several factors, including the magnitude and type of the eruption.

According to research, the most significant tsunamis from Kick ’Em Jenny would likely be caused by a large submarine landslide or a powerful explosive eruption that displaces a large volume of water. The current depth of the volcano’s vent (around 268 meters/885 feet) makes a large, tsunami explosive eruption unlikely.

The underwater environment – topography – determines the height of a tsunami wave. In deep water, a tsunami is a very long, low wave, but as it approaches a coast and enters shallower water, the wave slows down and its height increases dramatically, a process called shoaling.

An island’s coastal structure, harbors, and bays can amplify or diminish the size of a tsunami wave. The 1939 eruption of Kick ’Em Jenny generated a tsunami with a wave height of 1-2 meters (three to six feet) in the southern Grenadines and northern Grenada. The effect on distant islands was much smaller at the time.

A study on the tsunami threat to Puerto Rico from Kick ’Em Jenny, which is a similar distance away as St. Maarten, modeled a worst-case scenario. The results showed a maximum wave amplitude of 0.156 meters at a virtual buoy off the coast of Ponce, Puerto Rico. While this is a small wave, it’s important to remember that this is the amplitude in the open ocean.

Therefore, for St. Maarten, a small to medium-sized tsunami from Kick ’Em Jenny would likely be a relatively small wave in open water, but it could still be dangerous. The wave could increase in height as it reaches the shallow coastal areas and could cause damaging coastal flooding, especially in low-lying areas.

Caribbean nations can take a multi-faceted approach to mitigate the damage of a major tsunami, even if the probability is low. This involves a combination of pre-emptive planning, infrastructure measures, and public education. The key is to build a comprehensive disaster management strategy that integrates all levels of society.

Roddy Heyliger

On September 16–17, 2025, the Bonaire Human Rights Organization (BHRO) will bring the voices of Bonaire and the former Netherlands Antilles islands—Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius—to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. This effort aims to ensure that the struggle for the recognition of the fundamental human rights of our small island peoples is heard at the highest international level. Since the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, there has been a setback in the realization of their fundamental right to self-determination.

James Finies and BHRO will take another historic step for the human rights of the people of Bonaire at the scheduled hearings of the 78th Session of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) during the review of the Kingdom of the Netherlands on 16th and 17th September 2025 in Geneva. The Dutch government will be questioned on its compliance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), with particular scrutiny on poverty, inadequate housing, labour rights, and social protection for residents of Bonaire, Saba, St. Eustatius, and the wider Caribbean territories under Dutch administration.

Rooted in the principles of dignity, equality, and freedom, the ICESCR recognizes that all peoples have the right to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social and cultural development (Article 1). The Covenant also affirms the obligation of states to promote and protect these rights without discrimination (Article 3), underscoring the indivisibility of all human rights. It demands that resources and policies serve the full realization of rights for all—including peoples under colonial rule or non-self-governing status. This foundation of international law is central to the BHRO’s case.

BHRO will also bring attention to systemic inequalities and the denial of human rights in key areas of life and culture, including: Cultural Rights – the protection of native language, Papiamentu and identity; Health Care – addressing disparities in access and quality of care; -Education – ensuring equal access to quality education, and calling out the erasure of native identity and history in the school system, where local culture, language, and indigenous rights are often ignored or denied.

This review takes place against the backdrop of democratic denial. In 2010, following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles, the islands were forcibly integrated into the Dutch Constitution without the consent of the people.

In protest, James Finies, Founder of BHRO and leader of Pueblo Progresivo Uni, led a historic 222-day protest, demanding a referendum. In 2015, when the people of Bonaire were finally consulted, 66% voted “No” to the imposed constitutional status—a democratic decision the Dutch government has since ignored.

The people of Bonaire, Saba, and Statia face discrimination and hardship that would never be tolerated in the European Netherlands. We speak not only for Bonaire, but for all the former Netherlands Antilles Islands—demanding that the Dutch government respect the UN Charter, human rights treaties, international mechanisms, and our right to self-determination.

In parallel, BHRO will also participate in the 60th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (8 September–8 October 2025), where the international community is addressing human rights crises around the world. In this arena, BHRO will emphasize that colonial injustice in the Dutch Caribbean remains part of the UN’s unfinished decolonization mandate.

Through the Bonaire Human Rights Organization interventions, Bonaire will ensure the voices of our people are no longer ignored—pressing the Netherlands to uphold its international obligations and respect the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, democratic will, and human dignity of our peoples.

James Finies, Founder Bonaire Human Rights Organization and leader of Pueblo Progresivo I Uni Davika Bissessar, President Bonaire Human Rights Organization Marjolein Finies, Woman Wing Pueblo Progresivo I Uni Sedney Marten, Movement For Change

Foundation Nos Ke Boneiru Bek

Dear Editor,

The police force said it has also received complaints from drivers claiming unclear signage, but reiterated that information on the parking situation and enforcement measures had already been shared with the public in recent weeks. Wow. I wonder if the prosecutor approved this?

Let’s start by explaining that it is time enough that whoever is in charge press on the young men and women of the force that tourism is our industrial force. I will not even hint that we have to look the other way sometimes.

On the contrary we have to face it head on. But we have to use our discretion and we have to be reasonable. Let me say off the bat: The easiest thing for the police officer to do is to encounter traffic violations. That is what drivers do. They do not adhere to the traffic rules. And they will do that here even more because they see that officers also live violating the traffic rules during their free time, with their private vehicles.

There is a saying “ Verbeter de wereld, begin met jezelf.” I can go on and on but it is in no intention to ridicule anyone, but two wrongs do not make a right. Also I do not think that the innocent should pay for the guilty. But I constantly ponder if the public of which the majority appreciate law and order is voicing its opinion, where is management? Signage speak constantly and the law is there for one and all to adhere to.

The tourists who come from the neighbouring islands and rent a car, rely on signage. They do not know what was said yesterday nor do they know what is forbidden if there is no signage.

Years ago we had a Frontstreet which only needed maintainance. Somebody convinced the others that Frontstreet needed transformation and indeed today we can see that that transformation retransformed Frontstreet.

Was Irma the real reason for stores in Frontstreet not coming back? And what is the real motivation for rigorous towing of motor vehicles? As often as I drive up the Cannegieterstreet I have to stop for the buses that stop in the middle of the road because the gypsies make the bus stop in front of Dubble Decker their own. I believe an Immigration raid would produce good results.

Was there a meeting between Minister of Tourism, Minister of Justice and Minister of VROMI and their advisors, knowing that parking in around Philipsburg is very limited?

A word to the wise Always remember that the majority of any population appreciate law and order. Let’s be reasonable about it. The fines will come without a towing campaign. If the traffic signs are here, place them. Be fair to the people so that they can decide what and what not to do.

Russell A. Simmons