Saba News News and Information from Saba Island, Dutch Caribbean

The Dutch government is focusing on the wrong priorities in its policy for the Caribbean Netherlands, according to Commissioner Bruce Zagers, who has outlined his concerns in a letter to the Second Chamber and the Senate. “While there is often great urgency to implement certain legislative changes, there is little …

What began as routine construction work on the new Saba Cares expansion project at the A.M. Edwards Medical Center has turned into a remarkable archaeological discovery. Workers uncovered bones, ceramic shards, building components, and several unidentified artifacts—including four remarkably well-preserved 17th–18th century rifles and a sword. The discovery immediately triggered …

The Saba Tourist Bureau will host a special social media training session with Diederik Kemmerling—entrepreneur, investor, and digital strategist—on Monday, October 13, 2025, at the Eugenius Center. Kemmerling is the founder of The Lab Digital Marketing Agency, operating across Aruba, Curaçao, and Colombia, and currently serves as President of the …

The Public Entity Saba commissioned a comprehensive assessment of groundwater flow and nutrient dynamics on the island, examining how nitrogen and phosphorus are transported from land-based sources to the surrounding marine environment. This study provides critical insights for protecting coral reef ecosystems and guiding sustainable environmental management. Background and Objectives …

The Saba Tourist Bureau today announced the premiere of Season 3 of Faces of Saba, its acclaimed storytelling initiative that illuminates the vibrant personalities and cultural fabric defining this Caribbean island destination. Building on the success of previous seasons, Faces of Saba has established itself as an authentic platform spotlighting …

Starting 11 November 2025, residents of Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba will receive a citizen service number (BSN). Following approval by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, the Civil Affairs Departments of the three islands can now issue BSNs to their residents. During the BSN collection weeks, which …

Caretaker State Secretary for King­dom Relations and Digita­lization Eddie van Marum says he understands the frustration on Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba about the Dutch government’s decision to retain the role of Kingdom Representa­tive (“Rijksvertegenwoor­diger”), despite earlier agreements to abolish the position. “I can imagine that people feel uncomfortable, espe­cially …

The Dutch government wants to double the minimum residency requirement for naturalisation from five to ten consecutive years of legal residence within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The proposal, put forward by State Secretary for Justice and Security Arno Rutte (VVD), was approved by the Council of Ministers in The …

How are young people on Bonaire, Saba, and St. Eustatius really doing? A new campaign by Statistics Netherlands CBS, titled “This is us!”, seeks to answer that question by shining a spotlight on issues such as health, well-being, bullying, discrimination, lifestyle habits, leisure activities, and young people’s outlook on the …

The economy of Bonaire grew by 6.3 percent in 2023, driven primarily by growth in the construction, energy, and accommodation & food services sectors. Meanwhile, the economy of St. Eustatius contracted slightly by 0.5 percent, while Saba experienced a 1.6 percent contraction, mainly due to declines in education and public …

The Public Entity Saba announces significant improvements to student financial assistance for students from Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba (BES islands). Recent comprehensive studies of the Student Finance Act BES revealed critical gaps in current funding levels. The research confirmed that existing student finance amounts are insufficient to cover both …

Eight dedicated volunteers from Saba and St. Eustatius (Statia) have completed an intensive Search and Rescue (SAR) Craft Operations Course delivered by the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution (KNRM) during the week of September 8, 2024. The comprehensive training was hosted at CITRO, a volunteer rescue organization in Curaçao that …

The Netherlands Ministry of Defence concluded its annual hurricane emergency response exercise called “Calm Horizon” on Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius. Over the past two weeks, military personnel trained with local security partners to increase their readiness and strengthen cooperation, to deploy troops quickly and effectively after a hurricane …

Dear residents of Saba, With this message, I would like to address the community on the ongoing situation surrounding the tragic passing of Sheldon Johnson. On Friday evening, September 12th, a terrible shooting took place. Around 9:00 p.m., the police received a report of the incident. When they arrived, they …

Direct Transatlantic Cable Between the Caribbean and the Netherlands Deemed Unfeasible Due to €300 Million Cost. A proposed direct transatlantic cable connecting the Caribbean Netherlands with European Netherlands has been deemed unfeasible due to its estimated cost of nearly €300 million, according to the Dutch government. Government Response to Parliamentary …