Dear Editor,

Permit me to render some words of advice to the best-dressed male Member of Parliament, Dimar Labega. MP, before I dive into the meat of the matter, I must express my admiration to you, for always being so well-groomed and well-attired, every time you attend the meetings of parliament. Your dress code consistently reflects the position that you hold; no matter if the deliberations are slated for Central Committee Meetings or Public Meetings.

Having said that, my main objective for this article is to encourage you to read a lot more, but especially on the topics that are expected to be tabled for upcoming discussions. It would be a pragmatic move for you to seek information that requires extensive knowledge, from those who can share valuable experiences, in order for you to be better equipped to dialogue the issues that are before you, at any given time.

This approach would give you not just leverage over the information, but it also increases your flexibility for a more effective participation, whether the agenda requires short or extensive discussions. I can see that you have the willingness to learn, because you are always present (through active listening), whenever your teammates are discussing an issue. Even though you are not as vocal as you should be, you still remain attentive, no matter who the speaker is.

This kind of attitude speaks to your character and it is also a very critical aspect of learning. Therefore, I’d like to propose that you extend this mindset to deep conversations, with persons who are willing to share that knowledge. MP Dimar Labega, for starters, you don’t have to look very far, because within your reach you have a master of politics in the person of Chairlady Sarah Wescot-Williams.

Why don’t you invite her out on a couple of occasions for breakfast or lunch, to kick off the initiative? But be sure that the request is genuine. It would be wise to choose your topics beforehand, go with an open mind and be ready to pick her brains at every opportunity that will be presented to you. The intention is to learn, so your job is to listen well, observe, interject when necessary, and take notes.

Besides Chairlady Wescot-Williams, you have your dad, Erno Labega, who was in the political arena when ethics, humility and compassion were important aspects of politics. You can extend the same invitation to him, not as a family member, but as a teacher who can share his experiences when he was in active politics. I’m sure that you both have had countless discussions of a similar nature, but this time it will be different.

Do you know why? It is because you will be taking the initiative to direct the conversations, based on your experience as a new Member of Parliament – someone who is seeking the knowledge to improve on your communication skills, so that you could further represent your community, rather than just hearing the information around the family table. When you take control of the situation, you are always in a better position to direct the conversation.

To complete this mission, you cannot exclude the wisdom of your Great Aunt Jas Labega – a legendary sports enthusiast and a contestant in the political field back then. What a treat and honor it would be to give her that opportunity to flood your mind with the memories of politics in the past! Get to know her feelings of modern-day politics and how you can fuse elements of the past into today’s era, to benefit your initiative.

Here is where your job in parliament really begins, because it stimulates that urge for you to research the laws and policies that pertain to parliament and government. I recommended a change of environment because the setting to receive any information plays a vital role in collecting, processing, analyzing and the dissemination of that same knowledge.

This is critical, because during the 2025 budget debate when an MP brought a motion forward and it was rejected, he could not defend it, because he just regurgitated the information that was given to him.

MP Labega, I encourage you to develop that thirst for knowledge and maintain the image that replicates the legislative branch of government, that you represent.

Joslyn Morton

Dear Editor,

The America First policy may have a serious impact on the cost of living and the costs of doing business on Sint Maarten and throughout the wider Caribbean region if a proposed U.S. tariff of US $1 million comes into effect within the next 40 days on Chinese-built ships docking in U.S. ports.

Tropical Shipping, which transports food, household items and building materials from the United States of America to Sint Maarten and other Caribbean nations has been threatened with paying US $1 million for every port call to Florida or other U.S. eastern seaboard coastal cities to pick up the aforementioned.

The US $1 million tariff is part of a section 301 proposal expected to be signed via a presidential executive order in the coming weeks that could have devastating consequences for ocean freight rates, supply chains and the costs of living for thousands in the Caribbean.

Tropical Shipping last week sounded the alarm that this could raise shipping costs by thousands per TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit), adding that most ships serving the Caribbean region were built in Chinese shipyards.

Caribbean countries are preparing for economic uncertainty due to the volatility in America First policy initiatives.

Sint Maarten food and building wholesalers may already be calculating what this would cost Sint Maarten consumers in the coming months.

The Government will need to meet with wholesalers in a proactive manner to determine the consequences and what strategies can be developed should the U.S. move forward on implementing this America First policy that would have serious consequences for Sint Maarten and other Caribbean nations.

Governments would also need to lodge official complaints.

Tropical Shipping has asked stakeholders, customers and businesses to speak out against the measure before it’s finalized to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

The time has come for Sint Maarten wholesalers and building suppliers to look elsewhere for products and building materials within the region and from Colombia, Dominican Republic, Panama, and Guyana just to name a few.

If there is a demand, shipping companies will respond – supply and demand – to open up new shipping links. Sint Maarten Government ministers in the past decade have visited and met with government officials in the Dominican Republic, and the time has come to re-open the files and start to put things in place for the benefit of the country.

The St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry (COCI) already participated in the “Trade Mission Dutch Caribbean Meets Panama” back in February where the interaction provided valuable insights and opportunities to foster economic partnerships, trade expansion, and investment collaborations.

COCI has planned two additional missions for 2025 to Colombia under the banner “SXM Business Mission to Colombia” in May to Bogota to attend the “Construction Expo: Material Construction Trade Show” and in July to Cali to attend the “A Multisector Business Matchmaking Forum”.

COCI in announcing this new mission said that Colombia, as one of Latin America’s most dynamic economies, presents a wealth of opportunities for Sint Maarten’s entrepreneurs and businesses seeking to expand their reach.

During the Panama trade mission, COCI said back in February that the delegation engaged in productive discussions with key regional stakeholders who expressed strong interest in establishing business ties with St. Maarten and its local business community.

The stakeholders COCI met with included the Panama Chamber of Commerce, ProPanama, Copa Airlines, Panamanian Association of Cargo Agencies and representatives of Panama’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

COCI emphasized in a media statement back in February the importance of active participation in trade missions as a means to expand business networks, enhance market presence, and strengthen regional cooperation, adding that given the evolving global business landscape, COCI encourages the local business community to seize available opportunities for international trade and collaboration.

The new America First proposal for the new “Caribbean Tariff” will impact most industries with price hikes in grocery stores, hardware stores and other businesses that import products from the United States to the country.

The USTR is accepting public comments on the proposed “Caribbean Tariff” until March 24. Those who will be affected are encouraged to submit their concerns by going to the following link:

https://comments.ustr.gov/s/ and then scroll down to the section “Request for Comments Concerning Proposed Action Pursuant to the Section 301 Investigation of China’s Targeting of the Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors for Dominance” and select “Submit Comment”.

Roddy Heyliger

A storm of controversy has erupted over a blatant act of political censorship at one of Curaçao’s most prominent radio stations. The forced paid leave of a respected journalist with 31 years of experience is just the latest move in a disturbing pattern of suppression under the station’s new management.

Dear Editor,

A newly issued Terms of Reference (TOR) by the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA for a “Mental Health Coordinator/Advisor” is raising eyebrows and questions. While the TOR to fill this vacancy outlines a broad set of responsibilities, several of its core tasks directly overlap with those already being executed under the ongoing World Bank-funded mental health project led by the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB).

The lack of a clear rationale for this vacancy has left some insiders wondering whether the Minister is seeking more direct control over the project’s direction or attempting to install a preferred individual in a key role – a move that echoes patterns seen in previous administrations.

First, a bit of background:

Overlap with NRPB’s role on the mental health project

The NRPB is implementing an $8 million Trust Fund project to improve mental health services. Some project activities include the construction of a new facility, development of a national strategy, stakeholder coordination, and capacity building. A dedicated project team and international experts overseeing design, policy support, and implementation, are already assigned by the NRPB.

In recent months, Minister Brug has been actively involved in several of these mental health initiatives. These include a partnership with the Trimbos Institute to support community-based services, discussions with SZV to reallocate funding toward mental health priorities, and the establishment of the Dutch Caribbean Mental Health Federation. In August 2024, he also met with NRPB to discuss the facility’s construction. By year’s end, procurement for a design firm was underway, with seven firms evaluated by a committee including NRPB, MHF and VSA representatives.

That brings us to what’s currently happening and why it’s raising eyebrows.

Enter the Ministry’s TOR

According to the VSA Ministry-published TOR in January 2025, this consultant would finalize a national mental health strategic plan, coordinate various mental health activities, reinforce community-based approaches, and oversee improvements in the care system. These responsibilities notably include coordinating the very Trust Fund project being run by NRPB.

In a March 7, 2025, article in The People’s Tribune, the Ministry explicitly acknowledged the need for an expert advisor, stating it “lacks specific mental health expertise and capacity.” However, this statement has drawn attention from some, as there are skilled policy advisors within the Ministry who possess specific backgrounds in mental healthcare and have hands-on experience working in the field on St. Maarten.

The Ministry also claimed the consultant is necessary to avoid the kinds of delays experienced in other NRPB projects. Yet, observers point out that many of the TOR tasks mirror the tasks of the NRPB’s project team. Even if there are delays now, they appear to stem more from the recent changes in government than from a lack of oversight or technical expertise. This is supported by World Bank documentation, which notes that delays in the facility design procurement were “related to changes in government.”

It is for that reason that the Ministry’s sudden recruitment of its own project coordinator is prompting speculation. Why introduce a parallel consultant at this stage? If staffing shortages are the issue, as stated by the Minister’s Cabinet, then why not reinforce internal staff capacity instead of duplicating a project management role?

If existing personnel or the NRPB team can fulfill these coordination duties, and the Trust Fund is already financing expert support, taxpayers deserve to know why an additional consultant is warranted.

Whispers of Pre-Selection undermine trust in process

Given St. Maarten’s small community, it didn’t take long for quiet speculation to emerge about candidates with political ties. While no concrete evidence has surfaced linking Minister Brug or associates to any specific applicant or firm, the perception alone has raised concerns. Murmurs have already surfaced suggesting that a particular individual is widely expected to secure the consultancy. In addition, some sources have noted that the individual, who is said to have ties to a member of the Minister’s cabinet, has shown strong confidence in securing the role. True or not, the whispers have already done their damage – because in a context where trust in government is fragile, perception often matters just as much as facts.

Consultant vs. NRPB – Who’s in Charge?

The Minister owes the public an explanation of how the new consultant will complement (and not conflict with) NRPB’s function. If both a “Ministry-hired advisor” and the NRPB implementation unit are working on the same tasks, who ultimately calls the shots? Is the consultant purely focusing on internal Ministry capacity building? Or will he/she have authority that overlaps with the project’s management? These distinctions matter.

Moreover, potential conflicts of interest cannot be ignored. Are any individuals in Minister Brug’s cabinet or inner circle connected to companies that are likely to bid for the TOR contract? It’s a fair question, given St. Maarten’s track record. Well-intentioned projects have too often been tainted by politically-connected individuals slipping in through side contracts, consultancies, or subcontracts.

Now, with a project as critical as the mental health facility, transparency is non-negotiable. Oversight from the World Bank and institutions like the Trimbos Institute offers some reassurance, but real integrity hinges on local political will.

The Public wants answers – and deserves them

The unfolding situation leaves several pressing questions that Minister Brug and his administration should address head-on:

* Why is an additional consultant needed for the mental health project when the NRPB already has a project implementation unit and international experts on board?

* Does this TOR create overlapping duties that could dilute accountability between the Ministry and NRPB?

* Who stands to benefit from this new role – is it purely about bolstering capacity, or could it pave the way for a favored individual’s involvement?

* What are the safeguards in place to ensure transparency during the hiring and contracting related to this TOR?

* What lessons has the government learned from past procurement controversies to ensure this critical health project doesn’t become another case of perceived nepotism or “insider” deals?

St. Maarten’s new mental health facility and improved services are urgently needed and widely supported – but that support must be met with clear and honest communication. The people of St. Maarten, especially those who will depend on this project, deserve transparency at every stage. The VSA Ministry must now step up and provide clear answers to critical questions – questions the public has every right to ask, and the government has a responsibility to answer.

In the coming weeks, it will therefore become clear whether the Minister is prepared to offer that clarity, or whether familiar narratives of favoritism and political maneuvering will take hold under this new administration.

Concerned citizen

Name withheld at author’s request.