Authorities on Saba continue their investigation into the fatal shooting that occurred on Friday, September 12. Two suspects, arrested last Friday in connection with the incident, will remain in custody following a decision by the Public Prosecutor to extend their detention by eight days. The extension was reviewed and approved …
Read More »Plans 2026: Good Governance and Sustainable Public Finances as a Basis for Future Prosperity
In cooperation with the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom, the Dutch government continues to focus on good governance and the rule of law, sustainable public finances, and the economic resilience of the islands. From this perspective, the aim is to work towards a shared future, taking into account the specific …
Read More »Tax Plan 2026 – Measures for the Caribbean Netherlands
On Budget Day (“Prinsjesdag”) – Tuesday, 16 September 2025, the government presented the Tax Plan 2026 Law Proposal to the House of Representatives. The proposal must still be approved by both the House of Representatives and the Senate before taking effect on 1 January 2026. Below you will find the …
Read More »Opinion: Internet Consultation as The Hague’s Booby Trap for the BES Islands
Opinion: Internet Consultation as The Hague’s Booby Trap for the BES Islands In his contribution published today on, among others, The BES-Reporter, former island registrar Willem A. Cicilia makes a crucial point: internet consultations are a completely unsuitable instrument for Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba. They appear to be a …
Read More »Police report of Friday, the 12th of September until Monday, the 15th of September 2025
Fatal Shooting on Saba On Friday, September 12, at around 9:00 PM, police received a report of a shooting incident on Upper Mountain Road in Zion’s Hill, Saba. One person was injured. Upon arrival, officers found a man with a gunshot wound. He was transported to the hospital by ambulance, …
Read More »Fireman killed in Saba shooting
A shooting in Saba just before 9:00pm Friday has claimed the life of a local fireman. Police arrested two suspects a little more than an hour later. The victim is Sheldon Johnson, who would have celebrated his 33rd birthday today, Monday. According to the Caribbean Netherlands Police Force KPCN, the deceased …
Read More »BES Island Councils Seek Kingdom-wide Support for Equal Treatment
The Island Councils of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba will visit the parliaments of Curaçao, Aruba and St. Maarten this week to request joint support in The Hague for “equal treatment and participation within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.” The initiative is prompted by the draft of the new WoIBES …
Read More »Defence trains emergency aid on Windward Islands together with security partners
The Caribbean Defence Department is holding a hurricane emergency response exercise on Saba, Sint Maarten, and Sint Eustatius over the next two weeks. During this annual exercise, called ‘Calm Horizon, ’ military personnel will train with local security partners to increase their readiness and strengthen cooperation, to deploy troops quickly and …
Read More »Island Governor Jonathan Johnson addresses the community
As our community mourns the loss of Sheldon Johnson with heavy hearts, Island Governor Jonathan Johnson extends his condolences to family, friends, and colleagues and reminds us during this difficult time to support each other. During our grief, we are sometimes met with overwhelming emotions. As a small, close-knit community, …
Read More »DEFINITIVELY NO HIGHER FLIGHT TAX TO THE CARIBBEAN PART OF THE KINGDOM
The government has decided to exempt the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom from the planned increase in the flight tax on long-haul destinations as of 2027. According to De Telegraaf, this emerges from leaked sections of the Budget Memorandum that will be presented on Budget Day next Tuesday. The outgoing …
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