Based on the circumstances surrounding the death of Lance Thomas in Sint Maarten, this report evaluates the incident against the legal standards of the European Union and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which apply to Sint Maarten as an Overseas Country and Territory (OCT) of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Lance was a man whom I knew personally; he was well-loved in the community. Lance was a professional Carpenter who obtained a diploma as such at the Milton Peters College in Sint Maarten.
Lance was a well-travelled Rastafari who travelled extensively throughout the Caribbean, where he was present at many Rastafari gatherings. He supported himself as an agriculturist. Thomas was a father who lived in St. Peter’s in his own home with his wife and son.
1. Right to Liberty and Security (Habeas Corpus)
Under Article 6 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and Article 5 of the ECHR, every individual has the right to liberty. Thomas’s detention without being suspected of a crime is a severe departure from these legal norms.
Lawful Arrest: Detention is only permitted under specific conditions (e.g., suspicion of a crime, non-compliance with a court order, or for the prevention of the spread of infectious diseases).
Arbitrary Detention: Holding a person without a charge or a legal basis (such as the missing KZ-verklaring or Declaration of Insanity) constitutes arbitrary detention.
2. Protection of Persons with Mental Health Issues
The mention of a “Declaration of Insanity” suggests that Thomas may have been experiencing a mental health crisis. EU standards provide specific protections for “persons of unsound mind” (Article 5(1)(e) ECHR).
The Winterwerp Criteria: According to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), for a person to be detained on mental health grounds:
A true mental disorder must be reliably established by objective medical expertise.
The disorder must be of a kind or degree warranting compulsory confinement.
The validity of continued confinement depends upon the persistence of such a disorder.
Administrative Failure: The absence of a signed declaration due to a Minister being “off-island” does not legally justify the suspension of an individual’s fundamental rights.
3. Right to Life and the Duty of Care
Article 2 of the EU Charter and Article 2 of the ECHR (Right to Life) place a “positive obligation” on the state to protect the lives of those in its custody.
Heightened Responsibility: When a person is detained, the state is fully responsible for their physical well-being. This includes providing adequate medical care and monitoring, especially in solitary confinement.
Operational Failures: Finding an individual “lifeless” after four days in a holding cell indicates a potential breach of the state’s duty to provide a safe environment and necessary medical intervention.
4. The Right to an Effective Investigation
Following a death in state custody, Article 47 of the EU Charter and the procedural limb of Article 2 ECHR mandate an independent, thorough, and prompt investigation.
National Detectives (Landsrecherche): The launch of a criminal investigation by the National Detectives is a required legal step to ensure accountability.
Transparency: While the Minister of Justice cited the “integrity of the investigation” to withhold details, the law requires that the next of kin (the Thomas family) be involved in the process to the extent necessary to safeguard their legitimate interests.
Summary of Potential Violations
Provision
Legal Basis
Context in Thomas Case
Right to Liberty
Art. 6 CFR / Art. 5 ECHR
Detained without charge or legal “insanity” declaration.
Right to Life
Art. 2 CFR / Art. 2 ECHR
Failure of the state to protect a person in its custody.
Dignity & Health
Art. 1 & 35 CFR
Potential lack of medical care and improper use of solitary confinement.
Effective Remedy
Art. 47 CFR / Art. 13 ECHR
Requirement for the National Detectives to provide a transparent, criminal-level accounting of the death.
In Sneeuw over Curaçao (Snow Over Curaçao), veteran Dutch crime reporter John van den Heuvel delivers a gripping, non-fiction deep dive into the dark underbelly of the Caribbean. Known for his fearless reporting on organised crime, van den Heuvel shifts his focus from the streets of Amsterdam to the turquoise waters of the Antilles, revealing how this tropical paradise became a pivotal hub for the international cocaine trade.
The Premise
The “snow” in the title is, of course, a metaphor for cocaine. Van den Heuvel explores the symbiotic and often devastating relationship between South American drug cartels and the island of Curaçao. The book isn’t just a collection of police reports; it is a narrative journey through the corruption, money laundering, and violent power struggles that occur far away from the tourist resorts.
Key Themes and Insights
Geopolitical Vulnerability: The author explains how Curaçao’s location makes it a “stepping stone” for drugs travelling from Colombia and Venezuela toward Europe and North America.
The “Nieuwe Onderwereld” (New Underworld): Van den Heuvel documents the rise of a new generation of criminals who are more tech-savvy, more international, and significantly more ruthless than their predecessors.
The Toll on Society: Beyond the “glamour” of high-stakes crime, the book highlights the tragic impact on the local community, including the rise in liquidations (contract killings) and the erosion of political integrity.
Style and Impact
Van den Heuvel writes with the urgency of a breaking news story. His style is:
Direct and Gritty: He doesn’t shy away from the graphic reality of the drug trade.
Well-Researched: Utilising his vast network of informants and legal sources, the book feels authoritative and authentic.
Personal: At times, the narrative reflects the personal risks van den Heuvel takes to uncover these stories, adding a layer of tension to the reading experience.
Final Verdict
Sneeuw over Curaçao is a must-read for fans of true crime and investigative journalism. It serves as a sobering reminder that behind the postcards of white sandy beaches lies a complex, dangerous industry. While the book focuses on a specific region, its lessons about global organised crime are universal.
“A chilling look at how the drug trade can paralyze a society, told by a man who has seen the front lines of the war on drugs firsthand.”
Above the logo of the Soualiga Youth Foundation. Profiled on this BLOG in the HOME section.
ST PETERS Sint Maarten: Since 2000, the Foundation Soualiga Youth wrote a detailed report which was presented to the Minister of Education,n Sarah Wescott Williams. In said report, the Foundation outlined a comprehensive plan of action pertinent to Economic revitalization of the Caribbean economies, using Agriculture and Eco-Cultural Tourism as an alternative to the present hedonistic people-destructive trend in tourism. The plan was never taken seriously, and experts worldwide are predicting the imminent collapse of the Tourism sector as a viable economic pillar regionally. This article is a mirror of what the Soualiga Youth presented to the government of Sint Maarten.
Nov 21, 2012 (Menafn – Caribbean News Now – McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) –There is indeed a continuing conversation in many global quarters about the type of prescription necessary for the revival of the Caribbean economies. In Washington, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Inter American Development Bank (IADB) are lamenting about the evolving middle class in Latin America and the Caribbean.
While they have exercised much care and caution about defining the specific nations where the middle class is emerging, we must not lose sight of the fact that these two powerful agencies have not substantially addressed the growing poverty issues and decrease in quality of life among certain sectors of the region’s population. In addition, there have been no indicators from these two agencies as to how an emerging middle class will contribute to the control of poverty, improve youth employment and improve the quality of life for the disadvantaged in a sustained manner.
To the great disappointment of many other global observers, the Washington and Geneva multilateralists are aggressively pursuing their selfish development agenda through the deployment of financial resources and development of phony collaborative partnerships with their regional counterparts.
These agencies and their collaborators are yet to come forward with any viable and achievable suggestions regarding the revitalisation of our economies; managing our foreign policy reserves by decreasing imports, and most importantly, development strategies for a sustainable path that would alleviate the region’s social and economic ills.
Addressing youth unemployment, rural development, access to information technology tools and ensuring some initiatives will bring tangible benefits to the disadvantaged are innovations and expectations that should become key development and policy planks in the region.
As efforts and suggestions are developed for advancing and sustaining the Caribbean economies, there are at least three sectors that require immediate attention and hopefully will result in some improvements. However, it must be noted and recognised that successful and sustainable outcomes will only be derived from a genuine change of attitude, recognition of the need for broad-based planning, participation and an acceptance that the global community is changing and Caribbean governments and institutions are obligated to fall in line with these global changes.
Agriculture has long been recognised as the central mainstay of Caribbean economies. Unfortunately, this economy has disappeared, and there has been no coordinated or demonstrated effort to revive and sustain it. Short-term tourist dollars seem to be the priority. Accumulation of foreign currency in any Caribbean nation should not be dependent only upon tourism.
Many of our small farmers have been abandoned as weak-kneed regional policy experts associated with various governments have embarked upon a wild and ill-fated chase for tourism dollars, which is unlikely to increase.
While the chase of tourism dollars might be justified by the weak-kneed policy experts, evidence clearly indicates that Caribbean economies should not rely only on the tourism sector, given global economic uncertainties in Europe and North America. Tourism should not be embraced as the saviour of Caribbean economies. Agriculture should be the priority.
In reviving and sustaining this important industry, there are several factors that require a radical change in thinking and perception about production and market penetration. The application of new information technology tools, identifying and building new partnerships, creation and creating and sustaining a strong national marketing board that will assist agricultural stakeholders in exporting and selling their products.
The days of the Geest Line, Harrison Shipping, Atlantic Lines, the Saguenay and Canada Steamship Lines are remembered by many for transporting our agricultural products in better times. Unfortunately, maintenance and sustainability of these exports are disappearing, and very little efforts are being made for the production and export reliability of these products. Like the tourism industry, they are foreign currency income earner,s and this is why the rationale and need for the agricultural economy is vital to our future.
The tourism industry is an important sector for the region. While the importance of this industry is recognised and encouraged, like the agricultural industry, it also requires radical changes and understanding. The Caribbean tourism industry is very competitive and exceeds the old antique marketing strategy of white sand beaches, bikini-clad women with tantalizing physique and beautiful white teeth.
Potential vacationers are looking at affordability, safety, quick, accessible transportation and potential venues or attractions that suit their interests. These expectations require many changes in the management of this industry. Pricing, target marketing, and promotion are essential if Caribbean nations are interested in holding their niche.
Tourism income earnings are fine and must always be encouraged. However, consideration must be given to a more intricate and sustainable link with our agricultural industry. Tourist vacationers must be encouraged to consume more local foods and other consumption goods associated with the tourist industry.
Preserving Local Cultural Economic Models:
The preservation of the local arts and craft industry is of critical importance. This would require effective monitoring and maintenance of existing legislation that addresses trade preferences and the import of these products. Irrespective of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) hype, our local arts and crafts industries should always be protected.
As I examine the plight and future of the region’s disadvantaged, it is crystal clear that unemployment, sexual exploitation, youth delinquency, crime, and lawlessness will continue to confront Caribbean governments. At the same time, many regional individuals have embarked upon further education only to discover after graduation that there are no immediate employment opportunities at home.
Therefore, Caribbean governments need to broaden their perception of another potential foreign income source. Given the decline of the tourism industry, the collapse of the agricultural industry and limited export products, the denial must end, and our leaders need to get down to work to address local economic conditions and stop blaming global economic conditions.
No Need To Reinvent The Wheel:
Jamaica and Barbados maintain fairly good tourism and trade infrastructures that earn them foreign exchange. However, these two CARICOM nations are actively and aggressively engaged in labour export that provides opportunities for their unemployed skilled workers to seek temporary foreign employment in the United States and Canada. While these two nations, like their other regional colleagues, are engaged in the Canadian seasonal farm workers program, they recognise that it is minuscule and there is a need for sourcing other potential opportunities.
Many of our regional governments need to take a page from Barbados and Jamaica, as labour export generates good foreign income and also contributes to the improvement of the quality of life. Those regional governments with tunnel vision on labour export must understand that they need to go beyond the seasonal farm workers program.
Exploiting New Growth Avenues:
Our governments can begin exploring new labour market opportunities by putting their consular officials to investigate and identify employment opportunities for skilled unemployed workers in their domain. Canada and other Western nations have growing temporary employment opportunities that can utilise the skills of our employees. We need to move beyond the farm workers program.
Recognition and implementation of the above suggestions require our regional Ministries of Labour to become more innovative and forward-looking in addressing labour market opportunities in their domain. They might wish to solicit the assistance of the Trinidad-based International Labour Office (ILO) if they decide to become innovative and creative.
The murder of Trinidadian, Venezuelan, and other Caribbean nationals by the American government under the Trump administration is unprecedented in modern times and completely illegal, as per Western international law. Placing the entire Trump Administration in the criminal bracket. Calling Trump a war criminal is an oxymoron. Who is America at war with in the Caribbean? Which Caribbean country is at war with America? Is Venezuela at war with America? Is Cuba at war with America? The boats that Trump has ordered destroyed in Caribbean waters are fishing vessels. All illicit narcotics shipments to America are sent by submarine vessels and through shipping ports, or go fasts. Not fishing boats, which cannot safely reach the US.
The US government, which touts itself as a paradigm of democracy and a protector of democratic freedoms, have murdered defenceless fishermen classified as terrorists. The insanity of present American geo-politics vis-à-vis the Caribbean is mind-boggling to say the least. Presenting no evidence, the US government is conducting an insidious pogrom in our region, in direct contravention of international law. The ramifications of the actions of the US government under Trump will have far-reaching, dire consequences for decades to come. For fishermen in many Caribbean islands, their industry has been devastated their ability to feed themselves and their families, all but taken away. Fisherfolk are forced to remain on land since no one knows when they will be targeted by the US government if they dare venture out to sea to fish.
Regional uncertainty:
Many Caribbean governments are in a state of uncertainty due to the mercurial nature of the present American foreign policy, which has negatively impacted the region’s economy, which is heavily dependent on its tourism sector. Climate change, illicit narcotics trafficking and the modern gangs spawned in the Caribbean, government corruption and recently terrorism.
Dire regional reality:
The phenomenon of many nationals of Trinidad and Tobago making Hijra to Syria and Iraq to fight on behalf of ISIS/ISIL is a reality threatening peace and security in the Caribbean. With the addition of the insane and criminal policies of Trump, the Caribbean is faced with a dire reality: which leaders will stand forth to guide the region beyond these troublesome times, certainly not the present crop of useful idiots. The NGO’s effective thought leaders and the many innovative leaders on the ground in the region are needed more than ever before in the Caribbean if any meaningful and effective changes are going to be brought to the fore. More to come on the serious, fast changing geo-political reality in the Caribbean.
Iam elated to announce that, after a long hiatus, this blog has been upgraded and will soon become a full-fledged website. Much has changed in my personal life. I still live in and work in Rotterdam, and now, increasingly, we work outside of Rotterdam. The Foundation Lalibela is now functional in North Africa, namely Morocco; more about that at a later time. Soon to come, my forthcoming book, “Soldiers”: a dive into terrorism, illicit narcotics trafficking, gang culture and corruption in government, from a Caribbean-centric perspective. The book takes the form of a novel and is based on factual events, with, of course, some fiction. Stay tuned for much more from us on this site. Bless.
The crimes in the so-called “Themis’case played out in the United Kingdom (UK), the Netherlands (NL), Sint Maarten, and Curacao, bearing salient testimony to the international scope and operational capability of NLS. The Court of First Instance in Willemstad Curacao sentenced four persons, to prison for crimes committed on behalf of the No Limit Soldiers gang, from Koraalspecht Curacao. The gang’s prominent leaders are Urvin Wawoe aka “Nuto” and his brother Shurendy Quant aka “Tyson”.
The court sentenced 42-year-old Robere Lucas to 14 years in prison, for his criminal activity on behalf of NLS, he was convicted for masterminding an assassination attempt on Sint Maarten and for organizing, a cocaine shipment to France consisting of 210 kilos of Cocaine. Both Shurendy Quant and Urvin Wawoe have yet to be tried for crimes committed as NLS frontmen. The court convincingly proved that Lucas was a principal in the attempted murder of a male resident of French Quarter K.G. The attempted murder was in reprisal for the hit on Latoya Flanders, who was dispatched by a single gunshot to the head as she exited her vehicle in front of her home on November 5, 2015.
The photo above bears witness to the potent, extreme violence being carried out here on Sint Maarten, in the ongoing war between the Buena Vista City gang (BVC), and NLS. The photo is of Latoya Flanders the deceased lover of Urvin Wawoe. Flanders was murdered in retaliation for the killing of a BVC shot caller at the HATO airport in Curacao.
Above Flanders and her partner Wawoe, gesturing with a finger on her lips, the so-called HUSH-HUSH symbol, favored by NLS members when taking selfies .
Above is a breast shot taken by Flanders and posted on her FB page. TRU is another moniker for the NLS gang used by its members, the five stars tattooed on Flanders’upper breast signifies her position as a “made” member of the gang here on Sint Maarten.
The Court of First Instance in Curacao found it convincingly proven that Robere Lucas (NLS), masterminded the attempted murder of a man with the initials K.G. on French Sint Martin. Lucas paid the hit team 50000 US dollars and 25 pounds of marijuana. Lucas was the principal in the murder of two persons on Sint Maarten (Dutch Side), which was carried out by masked and heavily armed men on the night of March 14, 2017, a male and female were murdered at a car wash in the district of Sucker Garden.
The Court of First Instance in Curacao found it convincingly proven that Robere Lucas (NLS), masterminded the attempted murder of a man with the initials K.G. on French Sint Martin. Lucas paid the hit team 50000 US dollars and 25 pounds of marijuana. Lucas was the principal in the murder of two persons on Sint Maarten (Dutch Side), which was carried out by masked and heavily armed men on the night of March 14, 2017, a male and female were murdered at a car wash in the district of Sucker Garden.
Stephanie Phillips was sentenced to six years for membership in a criminal organization, involvement in illicit narcotics trafficking, and the attempted extortion of a businessman in 2016. Phillips is named in court documents as the lover of G.B. an NLS member, who was involved in the murder of the BVC shot caller Jais at the HATO Airport in Curacao. Phillips paid two shooters, on behalf of NLS in the successful assassination of a person involved in the murder of Latoya Flanders.
Charlton Lake is named in court documents as the Financial man of NLS. Lake a native of Sint Maarten (Dutch spelling)ng ), purchased real estate on behalf of NLS and managed money gained from illicit narcotics trafficking by NLS. Lake received an eight-year sentence for his many crime on behalf of NLS. A dispossession claim was read in court documents against Laake, A Chevy Tahoe, some diamonds, and Lakes home were all seized by the public prosecutor here on Sint Maarten.
Adrian Evalina was sentenced to 21 months, he is presently out of prison since pre-trial detention was equivalent to his sentence. Evalina was responsible for the financial maintenance of imprisoned NLS members, their families, and their friends.
This post is the latest in the ongoing saga of NLS.
NOTE to readers of this Blog, specifically those in the Netherlands don’t forget to like share, and subscribe if you appreciate the content in this Blog. Blessed Love.
This post dovetails unto one of the oft repeated claims on this blog, of the overt pro-satanist imagery, in western pop culture and the music industry in particular.
Shensea is a Jamaican Dancehall performer, who after signing with the American label Interscope, underwent a dark transformation in her music video content. Proving again the overt agenda, by the corporate entertainment industry in particularly the US, in the promotion of a pro-satanic anti-Christian cultural value system.
One of her latest videos Run Run, directed by Christian Breslauer, is a poignant example of satanic imagery in a music video. Breslauer also directed Lil Nas X’ Industry Baby and most notably Rexha’s Sacrifice, a video about human sacrifice. Being that Shensea is a Caribbean entertainer and this Blog deals with all things Caribbean, I will dissect some of the content in her video, their symbols and meaning.
Above Shensea holding a knife while chasing a male in the video. Notably the knife or dagger rather is reminiscent of a typical ceremonial dagger .
The image above hearkens on the theme of seductress. Shensea is dressed like a belly dancer, who were prostitutes in the ancient Middle Eastern cultures.
Above the male in the video being prepared to be sacrificed. Shensea attired in typical bondage or Dominatrix garb. Her headpiece is topped by two horns, just in case you thought the imagery is all innocent and coincidental.
Above Kali the Hindu goddess standing above her husband Shiva.
Kali in her role as destroyer holding aloft the severed head of one of her male victims.
The themes here are all reminiscent of those found in the Shensea video, namely dominance of the feminine principle over the masculine, which theme is central in witchcraft .
Shiva is also called Kala, Kala is the masculine of Kali and Shiva is the lord of death hence the name of his consort Kali meaning the eternal time, death and night. Kali is also Durga the warrior goddess, of ecstatic sexual rites, rite as in worship.
In Hinduism, the female principle takes precedence over the male, as the feminine in Hinduism is the most powerful aspect. The preceding concept is clear even in the names of the two demons portrayed in the painting above, Shiva or Kala comes from Kali, she preceded him in the cosmogony of Hinduism. In the painting kali stands on Shiva in order to pacify her anger, the subservient position of Shiva to Kali is a perfect rendering of the type of Goddess worship the Hindu‘s engage in.
Above the censer, usually used ceremonially to burn flesh, contains a human heart and live snakes. The snake or Serpent biblically is a symbol of Satan, Lucifer.
Above the male bowing (subservient), handing the ceremonial dagger to Shensea standing above him in the (dominant), role.
Shensea in this clip holds a live Serpent in her hand above her head.
The video imagery for Run Run, is totally deliberate and it actually portrays various culturally relevant themes and symbols. The attire of Shensea in this clip hearkens on the theme of seductress witch, again the Serpent symbol of Lucifer is held aloft above her head, denoting submission.
The central themes in this video of dominance, of female over male , Satanic imagery and overt human sacrifice themes, witchcraft and seductiveness are all deliberate used in an attempt to calm lull and allay, the viewers into acceptance of its content. Shensea Koffee, Vybzkartel , Tommy Lee and a host of others in the Caribbean are being used to push, the liberal values of the Western Cultural Value system along with its gang friendly music culture, fostered by the political elite within said system. The Western Anglo cultural value system has destroyed the very fabric of the social order in the Caribbean, which is a culture predicated on Bible values i.e. Christian values. This post is part of a series of posts entitled: Satanism in Popular Culture.
Above the logo of the Soualiga Youth Foundation. Profiled on this BLOG in the HOME section.
ST PETERS Sint Maarten: Since 2000 the Foundation Soualiga Youth wrote a detailed report which was presented to then Minister of Education Sarah Wescott Williams. In said report the Foundation outlined a comprehensive plan of action pertinent to Economic revitalization of the Caribbean economies, using Agriculture and Eco-Cultural Tourism as an alternative to the present hedonistic people destructive trend in tourism.The plan was never taken seriously and experts worldwide are predicting the imminent collapse of the Tourism sector as a viable economic pillar regionally. This article is a mirror of what the Soualiga Youth presented to the government of Sint Maarten.
Nov 21, 2012 (Menafn – Caribbean News Now – McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) –There is indeed a continuing conversation in many global quarters pertaining to the type of prescription necessary for the revival of the Caribbean economies. In Washington, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Inter American Development Bank (IADB) are lamenting about the evolving middle class in Latin America and the Caribbean.
While they have exercised much care and caution about defining the specific nations where the middle class is emerging, we must not lose sight of the fact that these two powerful agencies have not substantially addressed the growing poverty issues and decrease in quality of life among certain sectors of the region’s population. In addition, there have been no indicators from these two agencies as to how an emerging middle class will contribute to the control of poverty; improve youth employment and improve the quality of life for the disadvantaged in a sustained manner.
To the great disappointment of many other global observers, the Washington and Geneva multilateralists are aggressively pursuing their selfish development agenda through the deployment of financial resources and development of phony collaborative partnerships with their regional counterparts. These agencies and their collaborators are yet to come forward with any viable and achievable suggestions regarding the revitalization of our economies; managing our foreign policy reserves by decreasing imports and most important development strategies for a sustainable path that would alleviate the region’s social and economic ills. Addressing youth unemployment; rural development; access to information technology tools and ensuring there are initiatives that will bring tangible benefits to the disadvantaged are innovations and expectations that should become, key development and policy planks in the region.
As efforts and suggestions are developed for advancing and sustaining the Caribbean economies, there are at least three sectors that require immediate attention and hopefully will result in some improvements. However, it must be noted and recognized that successful and sustainable outcomes will only be derived from a genuine change of attitude, recognition of the need for broad based planning, participation and an acceptance that the global community is changing and Caribbean governments and institutions are obligated to fall in line with these global changes. Agriculture has long been recognized as the central mainstay of Caribbean economies. Unfortunately, this economy has disappeared and there has been no coordinated or demonstrated effort to revive and sustain it. Short term tourist dollars seem to be the priority. Accumulation of foreign currency in any Caribbean nation should not be dependent only upon tourism.
Many of our small farmers have been abandoned as weak kneed regional policy experts associated with various governments have embarked upon a wild and ill fated chase for tourism dollars, which is unlikely to increase. While the chase of tourism dollars might be justified by the weak knee policy experts, evidence clearly indicate that Caribbean economies should not rely only on a tourism sector, given global economic uncertainties in Europe and North America. Tourism should not be embraced as the saviour of Caribbean economies. Agriculture should be the priority.
In reviving and sustaining this important industry, there are several factors that require a radical change in thinking and perception about production and market penetration. The application of new information technology tools, identifying and building new partnerships, creation, and sustenance of a strong national marketing board that will assist agricultural stakeholders in exporting and selling their products.
The days of the Geest Line, Harrison Shipping, Atlantic Lines, the Saguenay and Canada Steamship Lines are remembered by many for transporting our agricultural products in better times. Unfortunately, maintenance and sustainability of these exports are disappearing and very little efforts are being advanced for production and export reliability of these products. Like the tourism industry, they are foreign currency income earners and this is why the rationale and need for the agricultural economy is vital to our future.
The tourism industry is an important sector for the region. While the importance of this industry is recognized and encouraged, like the agricultural industry, it also requires radical changes and understanding. The Caribbean tourism industry is very competitive and exceeds the old antique marketing strategy of white sand beaches, bikini clad women with tantalizing physique and beautiful white teeth.
Potential vacationers are looking at affordability, safety, quick, accessible transportation and potential venues or attractions that jug their interests. These expectations require many changes in the management of this industry. Pricing, target marketing, and promotion are very essential if Caribbean nations are interested in holding their niche.
Tourism income earnings are fine and must always be encouraged. However, consideration must be given to a more intricate and sustainable link with our agricultural industry. Tourist vacationers must be encouraged to consume more local foods and other consumption goods associated with the tourist industry.
The preservation of the local arts and craft industry is of critical importance. This would require effective monitoring and maintenance of existing legislation that addresses trade preference and import of these products. Irrespective of the World Trade Organization (WTO) hype, our local arts and crafts industries should always be protected.
As I examine the plight and future of the region’s disadvantaged, it is crystal clear that unemployment, sexual exploitation, youth delinquency, crime, and lawlessness will continue to confront Caribbean governments. At the same time, many regional individuals have embarked upon further education only to discover after graduation that there are no immediate employment opportunities at home. Therefore, Caribbean governments need to broaden their perception about another potential foreign income source. Given the decline of the tourism industry, the collapse of the agricultural industry and limited export products, the denial must end and our leaders need to get down to work to address local economic conditions and stop blaming global economic conditions.
Jamaica and Barbados maintain fairly good tourism and trade infrastructures that earn them foreign exchange. However, these two CARICOM nations are actively and aggressively engaged in labour export that provides opportunities for their unemployed skilled workers to seek temporary foreign employment in the United States and Canada. While these two nations, like their other regional colleagues, are engaged in the Canadian seasonal farm workers program, they recognize that it is minuscule and there is need for sourcing other potential opportunities.
Many of our regional governments need to take a page from Barbados and Jamaica as labour export generates good foreign income and also contributes to the improvement of the quality of life. Those regional governments with tunnel vision on labour export must understand that they need to go beyond the seasonal farm workers program.
Our governments can begin exploring new labour market opportunities by putting their consular officials to investigate and identify employment opportunities for skilled unemployed workers in their domain. Canada and other western nations have growing temporary employment opportunities that can utilize the skills of our employed. We need to move beyond the farm workers program. Recognition and implementation of the above suggestions require our regional Ministries of Labour to become more innovative and forward looking in addressing labour market opportunities in their domain. They might wish to solicit the assistance of the Trinidad-based International Labour Office (ILO) if they decide to become innovative and creative.
The Pointe Blanche prison on Sint Maarten is a salient potent example of, the endemic corruption and inability, of the present neo-colonial system of governance on Sint Maarten and the former Netherlands Antilles, being unable to govern the inmates at the prison while protecting prisoners and staff alike.John van Den Heuvel in his book Sneeuw Over Curacao aka Snow over Curacao, pointed out that guns in prison on Curacao, are a common occurrence and result in multiple death’s, during in-prison liquidations.When Urvin “Nuto” Wawoe, was housed in the Point Blanche prison in 2014, for the first time in St Maarten’s history guns appeared in prison, here on Sint Maarten. The incidence of gun’s in prison on Curacao, are a known well documented reality, gun’s in prison on Sint Maarten were unknown and only manifested as per the corporate media in: “In September 2014, two guns were found in the prison. One man Carlos Richardson was arrested for attempted murder”. The individual, at the center of the prison unrest was Nuto. Nuto is a well-known shot-caller within the international crime syndicate the No Limit Soldiers, whose power base is Koraal Specht Curacao. Prison director Edward Rohan received a letter, wherein a death threat was issued to his person in September of 2014, the month that the attempted murder on Nuto, was perpetrated by Richardson.This month September 2016 on Thursday, September 1, the Daily Herald here on Sint Maarten carried the following caption on its front page: BlingBling leader Jones gunned down in prison.
The fact that a little Blogger, falsely attributed the name “Bling Bling”, to the crew led by Jones bears testimony, to the clueless nature of so-called journalism on Sint Maarten. The real Bling Bling crew, were a group of Sint Maarteners, Kittitians, Crucians and people from St Thomas, who were linked either through friendships familial ties and marriage into a capitalist money generating criminal enterprise with cocaine trafficking being their main source of revenue. One of the main players within Bling Bling was a close associate “cousin” of Amador Jones, the brother of the now deceased Omar Jones. Because of a close affiliation with a well-known Bling Bling crew member, the people within the community affiliated the brothers with Bling Bling by name. That was a simple history for the purists who understand the true history of what is being written here.The Daily Herald reported that Omar Jones was killed by a fellow inmate in the prison at Pointe Blanche Sint Maarten, around 9: 00 am Wednesday September 2016. Eleven inmates were said to be involved in the murder, the gun used was later found in a different cell block, than the one the victim was murdered.
Again as I have stated innumerably the endemic corruption within all levels, of the neo-colonialist power structure on Sint Maarten, creates the type of atmosphere that leads to the type of situation enumerated. And the killing did not stop at the prison. On Friday September 3, 2016 in the morning a known associate of Jones Donnel Thomas, was shot in the leg in St Peters, by a masked man. According to eyewitness accounts, the assassin’s gun fell out of his hand, preventing him from mortally wounding Thomas. On Sunday September 4, 2016 Alrico Daulphin was murdered on Soursap Road St Peters after 1200 am.The insertion of organized criminal syndicates into Sint Maarten society has unalterably changed the fabric and criminal culture locally. The trend is towards corporatizing and organizing within a gang structure. The No Limit Soldiers have introduced to Sint Maarten a hitherto alien criminal structure. The NLS with their corporate structure and sophisticated use of social media, has for lack of a better term, “improved” the image, functionality, lethality and financial know-how and capacity of the Afro-Caribbean criminal sub-culture on Sint Maarten. Teaching them how to, engage the already corrupt prison system to benefit themselves.
The system is short staffed according to the prison director Rohan, with many guards “fearing”, for their lives. It is plain to see who runs the prison. The inmates are governing themselves and not the state, the state only facilitates the nurturance and development of a more sophisticated and adapt gang culture.
