The people of Venezuela are suffering from man-made political and economic crises that have transformed a once thriving and prosperous democracy into a place beset by poverty, corruption, and repression. More than three million Venezuelans have fled and sought refuge in other countries. Maduro and his cronies have bled the country of its wealth, mismanaging the economy through corrupt dealings and restrictive laws and regulations that have decimated the private sector.

  According to the Venezuelan human rights NGO Foro Penal, 700 political prisoners were detained and remain imprisoned in Venezuela since January 21 of this year. Today, the average Venezuelan struggles daily to buy food and other basic amenities, and nearly 90 percent live in poverty. The shocking photos last week of attempts to block humanitarian aid at the Colombian border speak to Maduro’s truculent indifference to the plight of Venezuelans.

  The state of democracy in Venezuela has fared no better. Maduro eroded and eventually destroyed all institutional checks on abuses of power, starting with the judiciary, before moving against the press, prosecutors, civil society, mayors and governors, and political parties. His destruction of democracy culminated in his disqualification of political rivals in advance of his claim to victory in the flawed and fraudulent presidential election of 2018.

  When Maduro’s term expired in January, the democratically elected National Assembly – the only remaining legitimate democratic institution in Venezuela – voted to invoke the Venezuelan Constitution and designate Juan Guaido as Interim President of the country, as the Constitution mandates. The United States is proud to be counted among the 51 countries that have recognized Interim President Guaido and his government. Together, we call upon the democracies of the hemisphere, including in the Eastern Caribbean, to do the same.

  Despite the dire challenges facing the Venezuelan people, there is still reluctance in some quarters to criticize the illegitimate Maduro regime. How much more suffering do the Venezuelan people need to undergo? How long do they need to endure violations of their human rights and economic hardship before the hemisphere finally commits to unanimous condemnation of Maduro?

  No country has the right to abuse its citizens and violate their human rights. Doing nothing when abuses are committed in one’s neighborhood is like ignoring a neighbor who abuses his family, or turning away as someone is mugged in the street. Human rights are universal – they have to be respected, regardless of whether these are violated domestically or internationally. The racist apartheid government of South Africa also claimed that its abuses were a “domestic matter” and that states should not “interfere.” The international community ignored these smokescreens. Through sanctions, isolation and criticism, South Africa was forced to yield and recognize the votes and rights of its people.

  Some have proposed dialogue instead of condemnation. It has been tried before, most recently in 2018 in the Dominican Republic. The illegitimate Maduro regime, however, was not interested in allowing free and fair elections to take place under credible international observation. Time and time again, these dialogues have only served as a way for Maduro to maintain his grip on power, distract the international community, diffuse international pressure, and erode street pressure.

   Countries that have supported democratic values elsewhere throughout the world should do the same in Venezuela. Countries that have suffered from disenfranchisement, lack of self-determination, or repression of dissent should know all too well Venezuelans’ plight. We understand this is not an easy decision, especially for those still saddled by Venezuelan debts accrued from years of cheap Venezuelan credit aimed to curry support in the region. We urge the region to uphold its democratic values for fellow Venezuelans – Caribbean brothers and sisters – just as they would surely do if any other Caribbean nations ever found themselves under a similarly abusive regime.

Linda Taglialatela

US Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)

Dear Editor,

  Just the other day, I asked some folks in a gathering if they were happy with the way things are taking place on our island, and, like me, they are not happy. When I asked if what they intended to do about it, the response was tepid. That was another warning bell to me and even more reason to fear the direction our island nation is headed.

  A few years ago, when he visited the St. Martin Book Fair, the young professor M.K. Asante left a message with the audience: “If you have an observation, you have an obligation.” In his wisdom, the then 26-year-old reminded us that we cannot remain silent and complicit when we notice injustice taking place in our community.

  I understand why some people choose to remain silent out of fear of being targeted by the powers that be. Many of us who have dared to stand up to injustice and other ills over the years know all too well what the repercussions can be. They can range from being disregarded for jobs and funding opportunities, economic boycott of your business, shady “investigations” of you and your family, and even death (Mr. Helmin Wiels being the most recent example). However, we also know that freedom comes at a price, but it is a price that must be paid.

  Too many St. Martiners will tell you that they know that Independence is the solution to St. Martiners taking full control of their destiny as a people, with all the ramifications thereof. Yet, still too few are willing to make the necessary sacrifices for this to happen. I’m not talking about the perceived material sacrifices that so many attribute to being a politically independent territory in this region. I am referring to sacrifices in terms of comfort zones and especially false notions of “power,” when in reality our people remain powerless in shaping our destiny.

  Colonialism – whether by the Americans, Dutch, French, British, or whomever – is evil and unjust. No matter how it is dressed up or whatever euphemisms are used to conceal it, it always works to the detriment of the colonized people and their way of life. The fact is St. Martin is a colony, and the contrived colonial domination that is currently taking place (on both sides of the island) is not in the interest of the St. Martin people, no matter what politicians tell you.

  At this point in our development, St. Martiners, the right thing for all of us, regardless of age, political colors, passports, etc. to do at this time is to unite and take a strong stand against colonialism and the continued use of our island nation and people as pawns to satisfy an evil agenda. We must do this not just for the common good today, but also in the interest of our children and future generations. We as St. Martiners, too, need to be honest with ourselves that if we want our freedom and to preserve our island for the future generations, we must be willing to make sacrifices today, now.

  I am calling on all St. Martiners to talk to your representatives, on both sides of the island, and urge them to put down their campaigning weapons and get together to fight this evil noose of colonialism around our collective necks. Those of us who know that independence is the way to save St. Martin cannot afford to sit idly by or remain complicit in the annihilation of our people and our values.

  For those aspiring to get into Heaven, know that you cannot get in while alive. Quote: The price of freedom …

Rhoda Arrindell

The recent publication of an article regarding the current state of the detention facility in which they referenced two Members of Parliament in the Netherlands, requires clarification. It is unfortunate but expected, as this seems to be the modus operandi of both MPs Van Raak and Bosman. They have chosen to pick one sentence out of the entire conversation in an attempt to perpetuate their skewed view; this type of unnecessary media coverage does not benefit anyone.

  As Minister of Justice, I fully accept and understand the responsibilities to ensure that inmates have the facility/facilities that meet human rights standards to which, the ministry even hired a lawyer with a human rights background. This will ensure that all minimum requirements are met and that no policies and procedures violate any human rights.

  It is important to highlight that before 2010, the entire Justice chain fell under the responsibility of the former Netherlands Antilles, which included the prison. The state of the prison before 10/10/10 was already described as deplorable. As of October 10, 2010, this responsibility was transferred to country Sint Maarten. Since the responsibility shifted, the facility has not been properly maintained and very little was improved on the already deemed deplorable state.

  This has led to the current state of the prison, which by international and European standards is violating several human rights. Since I have taken office, the reality of the Pointe Blanche prison has had my full attention. Despite the current (post-Irma) financial shortfalls, I have already started making the necessary structural and organizational improvements.

  Also important to note, while according to the Charter of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Sint Maarten has the responsibility to realize the fundamental human rights, article 43, subsection 1, the Charter also obliges the Kingdom to guarantee the fundamental human rights in the Kingdom. The United Nations Committee against Torture (CAT) has emphasized this obligation in their concluding observations of the hearing of November 2018: “in accordance with article 43 of the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands providing that promotion and protection of human rights is a Kingdom (Netherlands) affair.”

  This was again echoed in an expert meeting initiated by the Kingdom affairs committee of the First Chamber, where experts voiced their opinion that: “There is a moral obligation of the Netherlands to take action when human rights are violated in the Kingdom.” In addition, this responsibility has been confirmed by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in the Corallo vs The Netherlands case, where the Netherlands was brought before the ECHR and fined by them.

  Despite its financial hurdles, Sint Maarten is paying for all current repairs that are being executed to the Pointe Blanche prison, which also include Ms. Lalie Center for youth detention and the Philipsburg and Simpson Bay holding areas, based on our improvement plan. These repairs have amounted to almost 1.7 million US dollars thus far, which in addition to this substantial amount, Sint Maarten has to pay daily fees for the inmates who are being housed in the Netherlands. We have already been invoiced 385,203 euros for the period November and December 2018 (at 249 euros per inmate daily and another 188,945 euros for the month of January 2019 (at 265 euros per inmate daily.)

  It must be highlighted, that Curaçao has not charged St. Maarten – its fellow Kingdom partner; that is a testament in and of itself. This reality, amplified by CFT’s imposed limitations to Sint Maarten’s 2019 Budget, further restrict the much-needed improvements for the entire Justice chain, including that of the prison.

  Therefore, I strongly believe and oppose the manner in which the two MPs Van Raak and Bosman have chosen to selectively and negatively emphasize statements made. This only attempts to mislead, but more importantly, adds nothing to the ongoing efforts to improve the entire Justice chain on Sint Maarten. It is factual that the Kingdom (Netherlands) has to take its responsibility in the improvements, in order to adhere to European and International standards regarding Human Rights. Sint Maarten is still a part of the “Kingdom” hence, the Netherlands’ responsibility is to effectively cooperate with and support its partner Sint Maarten in realizing and guaranteeing human rights.

  It is my sincere hope that the communication and cooperation to achieve the improvements for Sint Maarten will no longer be handled in useless tabloid articles, but in a responsible and productive manner. Sint Maarten as a partner in the Kingdom will continue to address its responsibilities and ensure progress with the support of the responsible colleague ministers in the Netherlands.

Cornelius de Weever

Minister of Justice

Dear Editor,

  When I was a young girl of 11 years old on Saba, my parents Clement Sorton, a policeman at the time, and Allier Sorton took me to New York City on vacation together with my 2 sisters and 2 brothers. It was in the month of June 1956 when we travelled there on vacation. We were there for about 4 months.

  During our vacation in New York we were invited out for lunch by so many families and friends. Many of them visited us also at the apartment where we were staying in Harlem at 138 Street West, Lenox Avenue Apartment No 8.

  In the month of July one of our families invited us out to spend the day with them.

  The late Mr. C. Whitfield came for us and took us to his home. We had a wonderful time with his sons and grandchildren who were all there. We played different games, such as Chinese checkers, among other things and had a lot of fun.

  As night stepped in and it was getting dark, we had to leave Brooklyn and travel back to Harlem where we were staying. The late C. Whitfield travelled together with us to the train station. There we took the midnight express train and we all were in the train travelling back to our family apartment at 138 Street. In the train my parents, both sisters and brothers as well as Mr. C. Whitfield were talking and laughing and were very happy. They were not observing when the train stopped.

  When the train stopped, I was looking out through the window and saw that the train had stopped at 136 Street. I stepped out of the train and stood on the block platform with other passengers who had also stepped out. I looked around thinking my family was also out of the train and noticed that they had not got out.

  The express train took off and took them all up to 145^th Street. There they took a taxi and went back down to the block at 136 Street looking for me. They did not see me and were all upset.

  Because I knew that the train continued on with them, I decided to walk and run as much as I could until I reached 138 Street. I walked and ran one block and saw heavy traffic coming my way. Although I was very young, I stood on the zebra crossing and then jumped over to the other blocks as fast as I could.

  At a given moment I met a dark-skin lady with a long black coat over her arm and wearing a woolen cap. When she saw that I was a young girl running in front of her she shouted out “Kid, kid, what are you doing out this hour of the night? Wait for me. I can take you where you have to go.” I turned around and told her, “I don't need your help.” The lady continued to shout “Kid, Kid!” while I continued running as fast as I could.

  While I was running, I looked to my left side and saw a vision of 2 large white wings flying along with me. I kept running until I reached the candy store at the end of the block. Upon reaching the candy store I saw 3 Latino men with their heads hanging down in their laps. They were apparently so high that they did not observe a young person running passing them by.

  When I reached the candy store, I knew I was almost home. I looked up, down and across and saw that no traffic was approaching. I ran over to the other side of the street from where I then walked until I saw the basement door of the Apartment 111½ where we were staying. I pressed the doorknob and opened the door. I went inside to the cabinet and pressed apartment No 8. The bell rang at my godmother's apartment. She answered and asked, “Who is it?” Then I answered and said, “It is Golda” as I am usually called. She said, “What are you doing here by yourself?” “When I come upstairs I will tell you what happened.” Then she said, “Come on up.”

  I ran up the stairs to her apartment. My godmother opened her door and I thanked the Lord I had reached home safe.

  After that my godmother and I sat looking out the window to see when my parents with my sisters and brothers and Mr. C. Whitfield would reach.

  A short time after we saw them coming to the basement. I called out from upstairs and told them, “I am home.” I called again, “I am home. Come upstairs. Don’t worry anymore.”

  They then came up the stairs to our apartment and were very happy that I had reached home safely.

  After that day, I was called the child that was lost and found.

Florence Golda Frederica Sorton

Saba