Recent posts on Saba News

Cft visited Sint Eustatius and Saba

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

Population of the Caribbean Netherlands up by over 1.2 thousand in 2025

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

UPDATE: Firearm surrender campaign

The temporary firearm surrender campaign on Saba, organized by the Caribbean Netherlands Police Force (KPCN) and the Public Prosecutor’s Office BES, officially concluded on Sunday, May 24th. During the campaign period, two firearms and ammunition were voluntarily surrendered. KPCN and the Public Prosecutor’s Office BES would like to sincerely thank the community of Saba for their cooperation, openness, and contribution to the safety of the island. Every firearm removed from the community contributes to reducing risks and strengthening public safety. The campaign is part of a joint approach in the Caribbean part of the kingdom, aimed at reducing illegal firearm possession and increasing public safety. After the surrender period ends, strict enforcement against illegal firearm possession will follow. For more information, visit: www.politiecn.com KPCN

Police Report from Friday the 22nd of May to Monday the 25th of May 2026

Single-vehicle collision  On Friday, the 22nd of May, around 9:00 AM, the central control room received a report of a collision on Samuel A. Charles Street on Saba. Upon arrival at the scene, a car was found to have crashed into a planter. The driver had become ill while behind the wheel. Both the driver and the passenger were taken to the hospital by ambulance for medical treatment. The fire department was also called to the scene, because oil was leaking from the vehicle onto the road. KPCN

“Tone-Deaf” WINAIR Campaign Sparks Outrage on St. Eustatius and Saba, Forces Public Apology

Regional carrier WINAIR is facing mounting criticism from residents and political leaders on Saba and St. Eustatius after a social media campaign about airfare pricing triggered widespread backlash and forced the airline to issue a public apology. The controversy erupted after WINAIR on Monday morning posted a promotional reel highlighting the challenges of operating flights to Saba and Statia, including difficult weather conditions, specialized pilot training and operations at Saba’s famously short runway. However, the campaign quickly drew anger because of captions in the reel suggesting that residents of Saba and St. Eustatius expected to pay little or even “zero” for flights to the islands. Many residents interpreted the wording as mocking long-standing complaints about high airfare prices and unreliable service to the two islands, where air transportation is widely viewed as an essential public lifeline rather than a luxury. Within hours, criticism spread rapidly across Facebook and other social media platforms, with dozens of residents accusing the airline of being dismissive toward communities that depend heavily on WINAIR for medical travel, education, government business and family connections. One of the most widely shared reactions came from Saba resident Laura Boatswain, who wrote that while she appreciated the skill required to operate flights into Saba, the message gave the impression that the airline did not value residents “as customers whatsoever.” Another heavily liked response described the campaign as “tone deaf,” arguing that residents already support the airline despite “high fares, inconsistent service, delays, cancellations, and years of having limited alternatives.” Several commenters also questioned how the reel had been approved in the first place. One resident called the campaign “very unprofessional and disrespectful,” while another stated that the apology appeared to have been issued only because of the scale of the public backlash. As criticism intensified, WINAIR later removed the reel and issued a public apology. “Winair acknowledges the concerns raised regarding a recent social media post involving Saba and Statia,” the airline stated. “We sincerely apologize to the communities of Saba and Statia.” The airline added that it values its longstanding relationship with both islands and remains committed to “listening, learning, and serving our communities responsibly.” Despite the apology, criticism continued throughout the day, with many residents saying the issue went beyond a single social media post and reflected broader frustrations about the affordability and reliability of regional air travel. Political response The controversy also prompted a political response on Saba. The Party for Progress, Equality and Prosperity (PEP) faction in the Island Council announced that it had formally alerted the Kingdom Relations Committee of the Dutch Second Chamber about the incident. In a public statement shared by Island Council Member Julio Every, the faction said it considered the message “inappropriate,” particularly given the essential nature of air connectivity for Saba and St. Eustatius. The council members further linked the incident to ongoing discussions about affordability, reliability and public-service standards for air transportation within the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. BES-Reporter.

Public auction of immovable properties: July 7th

At the request of: Maduro & Curiel’s Bank (Bonaire) N.V., registered at the Bonaire Chamber of Commerce and Industry under number 0130, a legal entity established in Bonaire, with office address Bulevar Gobernador, Nicolaas Debrot #70, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands; hereinafter to be referred to as “Creditor”, who elects in this matter domicile at the notary office of M.D. Bouterse LL.M, civil law notary of the Public Entities Sint Eustatius and Saba, having offices at Coble Stone Road #3-A, The Bottom, Saba, Caribbean Netherlands, hereinafter referred to as “civil law notary”; have I, Marisol Angelique Anselma Bernabela as deputy of Bonaire, process-server for Civil matters at the Court of First Instance of  Aruba, Curaçao, Sint-Maarten, Bonaire, St. Eustatius en Saba and the Court of First Instance of Bonaire, St. Eustatius en Saba, Station Bonaire, residing in Bonaire and and having offices at  Kaya Industria 17a (South Beach Plaza) te Bonaire, Served notice to: Mr. B.I. Caldwell, the heirs of Ms. S.A. Shah Caldwell, the heirs of Ms. K. Pendleton and the heirs of W.A. Caldwell, currently of no known address or place of residence on Saba, Caribbean Netherlands, or anywhere else. This notice shall be published op Saba News. Therefore, I am serving my writ to the Public Prosecutor at the Court of First Instance, sitting in Bonaire, who signed the original writ as read. This notice shall be published in de Staatscourant. a parcel of land, situated on the island Saba, Caribbean Netherlands, in the district of Windwardside at Over the Peak, having an area of seven hundred and eighty-six square meters (786m²), described in Certificate of Admeasurement number 009 of nineteen hundred and eighty-two (C/A 009/1982), with the thereon-standing building and all appurtenances belonging thereto; and a parcel of land, situated on the island Saba, Caribbean Netherlands, in the district of Windwardside at Over the Peak, having an area of five hundred and fifty-six square meters (556m²), described in Certificate of Admeasurement number 006 of two thousand (C/A 006/2000), with the thereon-standing building and all appurtenances belonging thereto. the date of the public auction of the aforementioned immovable properties will then be held in the presence of Ms. Marcia D. Bouterse, civil law notary of the Public Entities Sint Eustatius and Saba, or her deputy on July 7th, 2026 on the address of Notary Office St. Eustatius and Saba at Coble Stone Road 3-A, The Bottom, Saba, C.N.    Note that interested Buyers are allowed to provide a private bid before June 14th, 2026.The Process-Server aforementioned. De Deurwaarder, Marisol A.A. Bernabela

Support for BES in case of low stocks

Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba can count on support in the event of a cri­sis. In addition, the three public bodies can also make use of their regular stocks in an emer­gency situation. Minister Pieter Heerma of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations BZK wrote this in response to an investiga­tion by the Dutch General Au­dit Chamber. Last week the chamber pub­lished an investigation into the Caribbean Netherlands’ preparations for disasters. The so-called BES islands have a relatively large regular stock of medicines and fuel, but no specific emergency stock for a potential crisis. Apart from medicines and fuel, this also concerns drink­ing water and food. An added risk is the dependence on im­ports from Curacao and St. Maarten. Heerma confirms that there are no strategic reserves. “On the other hand, there are regu­lar stocks on the islands from which they can draw. You also endorse this regarding fuel and medicines.” “In addition, various systems have been established in the event of crises to support and assist the islands if necessary,” he wrote, also on behalf of State Secretary Eric van der Burg for Kingdom Relations. There are also food stocks on the islands sufficient for sev­eral weeks to months. More­over, the ministry supports food production projects, partly to limit dependence on imports. The supply of drinking water is indeed limited, partly be­cause it is produced from sea­water. The Human Environ­ment and Transport Inspec­torate monitors compliance with legal requirements. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives (Second Chamber of Parliament) wants an explanation from government regarding Bo­naire, St. Eustatius and Saba’s preparations for a potential crisis. The reason for this is the report concerning a lack of emergency supplies of drink­ing water, food, medicines and fuel in the Caribbean Nether­lands. GroenLinks-PvdA MP Mikkal Tseggai received sufficient support for a so-called thirty-member debate. “Recently, there has been a lot of talk about emergency packages, food supplies and gas reserves in the European Netherlands. It is time we also discuss the Caribbean Netherlands.” “The Audit Chamber re­cently concluded that there are hardly any supplies in the Caribbean Netherlands in the event of disasters. On Saba, for example, there is drinking water for only one day. Incidentally, that is also contrary to European rules,” said Tseggai, who also men­tioned the higher risk of nat­ural disasters. Most MPs felt that a sepa­rate debate in the short term was not necessary. The sub­ject can also be discussed next Wednesday during the planned general debate on the Caribbean Netherlands, said Christen Unie MP Mirjam Bikker. However, Tseggai did receive support from MPs in her own party group as well as from D66, PvdD and Denk. That is enough for a thirty-member debate normally scheduled for the longer term. The Daily Herald.