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  • The two men accused of killing Saban firefighter Sheldon Johnson should be sent to prison for terms of 28 and 21 years, a prosecutor told the Court of First Instance on Thursday, who de­scribed the night-time shooting as a “cold-blooded execution”. The prosecution’s hefty demand came near the end of Thursday’s day-long trial against A.N.W. (26) and R.v.H. (37), who faced charg­es of murder, attempted manslaughter and possession of two kilogrammes of cocaine. Both men denied any involvement in these crimes, repeatedly telling the court they are innocent. Johnson (32) was fatally shot out­side his Hell’s Gate home around 8:45pm on September 12, 2025, after returning him from a drive with his girlfriend who was visit­ing from another island. She told police that she was walking ahead of him to the apartment when she heard a loud crack. The girlfriend said she turned around and saw a gunman in a black hoodie walk over to John­son. The perpetrator fired two more times at close-range while Johnson was laying wounded on the ground, she told police, after which he shot once in her direc­tion and ran away. An autopsy report read during Thursday’s trial revealed that Johnson was shot twice from behind, with both bul­lets perforating major or­gans. An ambulance rushed to the scene but Johnson was dead before he reached the hospital. Johnson and the two sus­pects had fought on oppos­ing sides of a public brawl in The Bottom in May 2025, and on the night of the shooting, Johnson’s relatives told police at the scene that they believed W. and H. had committed the murder. The suspects lived a couple hundred metres away and were arrested at home at 10:22pm. They have been in custody since. W. claimed that he had been home all night and did not even know about the shooting until police came knocking on his door. H. told the court that he was exercising by a bus stop on the nearby main road when he heard the shots and shortly afterwards saw a person dressed in black fleeing towards Windward-side. W’s girlfriend, who also lived with them, told police that both men had been home at the time of the shooting. Forensics The prosecutor rejected those accounts and de­manded a prison sentence of 28 years for alleged gun­man W., and a sentence of 21 years for H., who was ac­cused of standing look-out and disposing of the mur­der weapon afterwards. The officers who arrested W. and H. that night had noticed that their surveil­lance cameras appeared to have been hastily discon­nected, the prosecutor told the court, adding that the memory card that W. hand­ed to police did not contain any footage. Investigators conducted six searches of the suspects’ home and the surrounding bushes in the weeks follow­ing the murder. From the bushes, they recovered a memory card wrapped in a towel, milk cans containing a total of two kilogrammes of cocaine, and a bag con­taining a black hoodie and t-shirt, dirty black sweat-pants and disposable black latex gloves. From the home, authorities recov­ered three walkie-talkies and a box of black latex gloves, the court heard. Subsequent forensic test­ing uncovered W’s DNA on the hoodie’s inside collar and on the plastic wrap­ping of the cocaine pack­ages. Gunshot residue – the fine particles of gunpowder discharged from a gun’s muzzle after it is fired ­was found on W’s and H.’s hands, as well as on the hoodie, sweatpants and la­tex gloves found in the bag. When asked by the judge, W confirmed that the hoodie was his but said he did not know how it could have ended up in a bag hid­den in the bush. He denied owning the sweatpants and gloves. As for the gunshot residue, W told the court he never handled a weapon before and thus had no idea how this material could be found on him. H. speculated that wind must have blown the gunshot residue on his hands while he was hiking and the hunters from the government’s goat-culling programme were active on the trials. Police did find four empty shells at the scene but these did not have sufficient DNA for comparison, the prosecutor said. However, the markings on the shells were enough for the Dutch Forensic Institute NFI to conclude that the murder weapon was likely a 9mm Glock pistol, the court heard. Footage The memory card wrapped in the towel contained the missing surveillance foot­age from the night of the shooting. According to the judge, the footage showed W sitting under a tent in their yard at 7:08pm. He stays there looking in the direction of the street until 7:29pm and goes inside. H. comes onto the porch at 7:38pm and faces the street. A vehicle drives past at 7:49pm and he stands up as if “trying to observe the car,” the judge said. She lifted a still image taken from the video at 8:00pm and H. confirmed to the court that he is the person sitting on the porch. W. emerges from the house at 8:13pm and returns to the tent. The judge showed a still image taken from the video at this time and W confirmed that he is the person by the tent. W. joins H. on the balcony at 8:23pm and Johnson’s vehicle could be seen pass­ing their house and leaving the area at 8:26pm. When this happens, W. immedi­ately stands up, moves to­ward a vehicle parked in the driveway, grabs some­thing from the back and walks out of view. A hooded man dressed in black emerges in the cam­era’s view near the tent at 8:37pm. At the time, H. is still seated on the balcony. The hooded man jumps onto the balcony roof at 8:39pm and looks in the direction of Windward-side until 8:42pm, when he makes a gesture and runs back toward the tent. Johnson’s vehicle passes again at 8:43pm, heading toward his apartment, and the hooded man follows the car on foot. At the same time, H. leaves the balcony, grabs something from […]

  • The Public Prosecution Service on Thursday demanded heavy prison sentences against the two suspects in the murder of firefighter Sheldon J. on Saba. Against Anthony N.W., a prison sentence of 28 years was demanded. Against co-suspect Rudolfo V.v.H., the prosecution demanded 21 years in prison. The sentence demands were announced during the substantive hearing of the so-called Papaya case on Bonaire. J. was shot and killed on September 12, 2025, when he returned home to his residence on Saba. “I will never see his smile again” Prior to the closing argument, the part in which the Public Prosecutor presents his case, next of kin were given the opportunity to make use of their right to speak. Family members spoke visibly emotional about the loss of J. A family member told the court that the family had not only lost a brother, but also a beloved son, father, and future role model for his children. “We only have memories left” was read out in tears. J.’s partner also addressed the court. She described him as a positive and loving man who made her feel safe. According to her, her life has changed irreparably since his death. “I will never see his smile again” she stated. “The future we wanted to build together is also gone.” Four shell casings found According to the public prosecutor, this was a carefully premeditated murder. Camera footage allegedly shows that the area was surveilled prior to the shooting. J. was shot at around 8:45 PM after arriving home together with his partner. Four shell casings from a 9-millimeter firearm were found at the scene. N.W. is alleged to have pulled the trigger. The Public Prosecution Service bases its case in part on camera footage, DNA traces, communications between the suspects, and statements made after their arrest. The prosecution also pointed to conversations between the suspects after they were transferred to Bonaire. According to the prosecution, N.W. and V.v.H. spoke about the investigation and whether the murder weapon had been found. Suspect consulted ChatGPT Notably, the prosecution also drew attention to search queries found on the suspects’ phones. Suspect N.W. allegedly used ChatGPT to search for information about the consequences of a criminal record for entry into Canada. The prosecution also found queries about what to do after a murder. In addition to the murder, the suspects are also being prosecuted for shooting in the direction of J.’s partner, illegal possession of firearms, and drug offences. During a house search, over two kilograms of cocaine and a quantity of marijuana were found. Defence requests acquittal Defence attorney Bommel countered that the Public Prosecution Service has not proven who actually fired the weapon. According to her, the case file consists largely of circumstantial evidence. “The key question is who the shooter was. That is still not clear” the attorney argued. According to the defence, both suspects were at home for virtually the entire day. Bommel called the prosecution’s claim that V.v.H. acted as a lookout an assumption for which no direct evidence exists. The attorney also argued that the camera footage does not provide conclusive proof. The quality of the images would be insufficient to establish with certainty that the person filmed is actually one of the suspects. Bommel requested acquittal for both the murder and the shooting in the direction of J.’s partner. She also raised questions about the prosecution’s evidence regarding the drugs and firearms charges. Final statement At the end of the hearing, both suspects were given the opportunity to make a final statement. Anthony N.W. maintained his innocence. “I have nothing to do with this. Please let me go back to my children and the people I love” he said. Rudolfo V.v.H. also declared his innocence. “I am telling the truth about what I saw. We are innocent. I want my freedom back” the suspect stated. The verdict is scheduled for June 25 at 1:30 PM. The hearing will also be accessible via video link on Saba and Sint Maarten. The BES-Reporter.

  • Members of the Dutch House of Representatives (“Tweede Kamer”) believe that Bo­naire, St. Eustatius and Saba (so-called BES is­lands) must receive suf­ficient additional support for the planned expansion of the number of island council members and com­missioners. State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Eric van der Burg responded positively to motions for such and also promised to enter into discussions with the islands regarding the position of National Repre­sentative. Most parties consider the phased administrative ex­pansion a good idea. “CDA believes it is important that the administration of the islands can do its job well. There is currently a large amount of work that does not fit with the low number of island council members and deputies,” said Mem­ber of Parliament (MP) Tijs van den Brink. “Expansion offers more room for the representa­tion of minorities and more implementation capacity,” added D66 MP Heera Dijk. However, expansion alone is not enough, parties felt. They emphasised the ne­cessity of support. GroenLinks-PvdA MP Mikal Tseggai mentioned financial assistance. “We are receiving signals from the islands that the esti­mated joint resources are insufficient if we also want to arrange support for the island- and executive coun­cils.” She specifically men­tioned the costs of hous­ing for the two governance bodies. Partly on behalf of Tseg­gai, CU MP Don Ceder submitted a motion regard­ing support. “We request the government to make concrete agreements with the islands’ In a second motion, he asked the state secretary to also seriously consider the remuneration for adminis­trators on the islands. The Advisory Committee on the Legal Status of Politi­cal Office Holders will is­sue advice on this later this year. Van der Burg responded positively to both motions and mentioned various forms of support. In addi­tion to a financial contri­bution, these include, for example, a support pro­gramme for political office holders and attention to citizenship in education. The organisations Pr­oDemos and the Nether­lands Institute for Mul­tiparty Democracy are organising a project to get people enthusiastic about politics. Interest in this has been higher than expected. There is also attention for housing. In principle, the island administrations themselves are financially responsible for renova­tions, just like municipali­ties in the European Neth­erlands. Government is now step­ping in because the extra space needed is a result of national legislation, the state secretary told VVD MP Renate den Hollander. He will consult with the is­lands shortly after the sum­mer regarding financial aid and will then also as­sess whether the reserved 300,000 euros is sufficient for housing. Lawmakers also men­tioned the position of Na­tional Representative. It was agreed in 2024 that this position would be abolished and several MPs emphasised that the Neth­erlands must adhere to agreements. Moreover, Ceder con­siders the abolition of the position a good signal to the local administration. “Shouldn’t you call upon the island council mem­bers and commissioners to take more responsibility and have a direct relation­ship with the responsible minister?” Van der Burg stated that no final decision has been made yet, but that he has a slight preference for re­taining the National Rep­resentative. The lack of an administrative layer like a province plays a role, as do the problems with waste management on Bonaire. “And the distance of 8,000 kilometres complicates a number of processes,” he said. The state secretary added that he will discuss the sub­ject with the island admin­istrators shortly after the summer. If the House of Represent­atives and Senate (“Eerste Kamer) agree, the number of island council members and commissioners would be expanded as early as the elections in March 2027. Whether this will lead to improvements must be de­termined by an evaluation, a wish of both Bonaire and Saba. If the review is legally mandated, it will also apply to Statia. The Daily Herald.

  • Burglary at a residence in Windwardside  On Sunday, the 31st of May, a burglary was reported at a residence in Windwarside on Saba. Unknown individuals gained access to the residence and took a large quantity of food from the refrigerator. The case is under investigation. KPCN

  • On June 13, we will honor 18 years of leadership by our Island Governor, Jonathan Johnson. The ceremony will consist of an ecumenical service at the Sacred Heart Church in The Bottom at 5:30 p.m., followed by the program at the Princess Juliana Sports Field. The public is warmly invited to celebrate Governor Johnson’s years of service to our island.

  • An initiative aimed at boosting food security across the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has officially been launched with a working visit to Curacao by the future chair of the newly estab­lished CariFoodFund. Jamy Goewie, intended chair of the foundation’s supervisory board, met with farmers, financial institutions and representatives of the Central Bank of Curacao and St. Maarten as preparations move forward for the operational start. The proposed fund will serve Curacao, Aruba, St. Maarten, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, providing financial support for agricultural and food-production projects designed to reduce the islands’ heavy dependence on im­ported food. Financing Local Food According to the initiative’s founders, the Caribbean islands remain highly vulnerable to dis­ruptions in global supply chains and international price fluctua­tions because much of their food supply is imported. CariFoodFund aims to address that vulnerability by providing loans to entrepreneurs and or­ganisations involved in agricul­ture, fisheries, food processing, and related sectors. The fund should have contingency plans in place to secure op­erations, protect employ­ees, and minimise potential damage to property and surrounding communities.” ODM is reminding busi­ness owners that loose materials commonly found around warehouses and storage facilities can be­come dangerous projectiles during high winds. Items such as plywood sheets, shipping pallets, food pal­lets, metal strapping, and other unsecured materials can easily become airborne and cause significant dam­age to buildings, vehicles, and neighbouring proper­ties. Business operators are therefore encouraged to inspect their facilities and surrounding areas and de­velop plans for the rapid removal or securing of ma­terials whenever a tropical storm or hurricane threat is forecast for St. Maarten. Every effort should be made to keep storage yards and warehouse surround­ings free of loose debris and unsecured materials that could pose a threat during severe weather conditions. Property owners should en­sure that all hurricane pre­paredness measures can be implemented within a short period when necessary. ODM also encouraged households and businesses alike to review their hur­ricane preparedness plans and identify any weak­nesses that need to be ad­dressed while there is still sufficient time to prepare. The peak of the Atlantic Hurricane Season typically begins in mid-August and continues through October. “The primary objective is the protection of lives first and foremost, followed by the protection of property and surrounding residential communities,” Richardson emphasised. ODM reminded all busi­nesses that when a Tropi­cal Storm Watch or Hur­ricane Watch is issued — typically 48 hours before the expected impact of a weather system — business continuity and hurricane preparedness plans should be activated immediately. Timely action during this period can significantly re­duce risks and improve re­silience. ODM will continue to pro­vide preparedness informa­tion throughout the hur­ricane season and encour­ages all sectors of the com­munity to remain vigilant, informed, and prepared. The community is urged to learn more about hurri­cane hazards and prepared­ness resources for families, homes, and businesses by visiting the Government website at sintmaartengov. org/hurricane, where the “Hurricane Season Readi­ness Guide” and “Hurri­cane Tracking Chart” can be downloaded. The infor­mation is also valuable for new residents. Residents are encouraged to listen to Government radio station SXMGOV 107.9 FM for official infor­mation and news before, during, and after a hurri­cane. Weather-related up­dates and national address­es by the Prime Minister, who chairs the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), can also be followed via the SXMGOV Facebook page. For official weather-relat­ed information, residents can visit the website of the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten at meteosxm.com or follow the department’s Facebook page sxmweather. The Daily Herald.

  • Representatives from Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St Eustatius and St Maarten on Friday signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening regional cooperation in agriculture, livestock and fisheries across the Dutch Caribbean. The agreement was signed under the framework of the Dutch Caribbean Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Alliance (DC ALFA) and marks an important step toward further formalising long-term collaboration between the six islands in areas such as food security, sustainable agriculture, fisheries development, climate resilience, and regional policy coordination. Signatories to the agreement included Aruba’s Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs, and Primary Sector Geoffrey Wever; Bonaire Commissioner Clark Abraham; Curaçao Minister of Health, Environment and Nature Tyrone Boekhoudt; Saba Commissioner Bruce Zagers; Sint Eustatius Commissioner Rechelline Leerdam; and Sint Maarten’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten. The updated MoU builds on the initial agreement signed in 2023 and establishes a more structured and future-oriented framework for cooperation through 2035. The agreement outlines a shared commitment among the participating islands to strengthen food security, reduce import dependency, promote sustainable and climate-smart practices, stimulate resilient economic growth, and increase opportunities for youth and women within the primary sector. The renewed framework also supports the continued development of the DC ALFA Roadmap 2025–2035, which will guide regional collaboration and strategic priorities moving forward. An important component of the new agreement is the intention to work toward formalising DC ALFA into an independent legal entity capable of supporting stronger governance structures, accessing external funding opportunities, and facilitating long-term regional project implementation. Speaking at the signing, Minister Heyliger-Marten underscored the importance of regional collaboration in strengthening food security and economic sustainability within the Dutch Caribbean; working together collectively in more ways than one. “Regional cooperation is essential as we work to strengthen food security, support local producers, and create more innovative and sustainable agricultural systems across the Dutch Caribbean. This renewed partnership allows us to share knowledge, align efforts, and build stronger opportunities for future generations. Let’s continue to make this industry attractive for all,” the minister stated. The Memorandum of Understanding took effect upon signing and will remain in force through December 31, 2035. The Daily Herald.

  • Mr. J.R. (Jocelyn) Levenstone will be the new Island Governor of Saba. State secretary Van der Burg of Kingdom Relations and Effective Government nominated him for appointment in the council of ministers. Jocelyn Levenstone (57) was born on Saba and was Director of the Immigration and Border Protection Service (IBP) on Sint Maarten from 2023 to early 2026. Between 2018 and 2023 he worked as Head of the Support Post of the Dutch Caribbean Coastguard on Sint Maarten. He was previously – from 2012 to 2018 – amongst other things, Safety and Security Head of the Sint Maarten harbor. Mr. Levenstone followed the police training and started his career at the Netherlands Antilles Police Corps. During his career, he followed various leadership and management training courses. The appointment of Mr. Levenstone as Island Governor of Saba will take effect on July 1 st 2026. RCN.

  • On May 25 and 26, the Board of Financial Supervision of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba (Cft) visited Sint Eustatius and Saba. The Cft discussed the current financial situation, the government-owned entities, and ongoing projects with the executive councils and the island councils. On Saba, the Cft bade farewell to the outgoing Island Governor, Jonathan Johnson. On both islands, the Cft observes a stable improvement of the financial management, and it emphasizes the importance of continued caution in a changing environment. Saba The Cft reiterates its appreciation for the high quality of Saba’s financial management. The budgets are in order and have been submitted timely. Furthermore, the Cft observes that Saba maintains these positive developments. Furthermore, with the Saba Electric Company (SEC) and Satel, Saba holds two government-owned entities that carry out a public task and possess an important infrastructure. The available information shows that the performance of these entities is also relatively stable, although they face operational challenges. The Cft also bade farewell to Island Governor Jonathan Johnson, who is stepping down after 18 years. Mr. Johnson has made a significant contribution to Saba’s current financial situation and administrative stability. The Cft has sincerely thanked him for his years of dedication and effort. Lastly, both islands operate in a world that is currently in a state of flux, which requires ongoing attention for careful and resilient financial policy. CFT

  • On 1 January 2026, the population of the Caribbean Netherlands stood at over 33 thousand. That was an increase of 1,249 (4 percent) over the previous year. The increase was largely due to population growth on Bonaire, mainly as a result of migration. On St Eustatius and Saba, the population also grew due to migration. Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports these numbers on the basis of newly released figures. The population of the Caribbean Netherlands grew by 4 percent in 2025, year on year. The increase was largely due to migration. The population of Bonaire grew by the most, while Saba and St Eustatius also saw an increase in their population. Saba’s population increase by 5 percent The population of Saba stood at 2,270 on 1 January 2026. That was an increase of 112 (5 percent). More people came to live on the island than left (+119), and the natural increase was limited. The number of residents on Saba who were born outside the Caribbean Netherlands increased by 120. In particular, the number of people born on Sint Maarten, in the Philippines, Colombia, and the United States increased. CBS

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