The social unrest in St. Martin remains a serious concern that is starting to have island-wide implications. Both the United States and Canada, two of the destination’s top tourist source markets, issued minor-level travel advisories for the French side.
And it’s no wonder, with stories of guests made to pay a self-imposed “toll” to be allowed through the barricades by demonstrators, of a taxi driver – thankfully with no passengers – having his vehicle taken and set on fire, of throwing stones at boats with visitors passing under the Sandy Ground bridge, etc. So far, no major injuries or – God forbid – casualties have been reported, but where violence occurs and/or force is used there are often innocent victims.
Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs announced that her government did not honour a request from Préfète Déléguée Feucher to offload a cargo ship with military transport vehicles at Port St. Maarten for these to be ferried on to Galisbay. She also “could not” give permission for a convoy of four trucks and 10 cars with extra gendarmes flown into Grand Case to drive from Oyster Pond via the Dutch side to the Bellevue border point, which was reportedly no longer needed later as they went through one of the French-side barricades instead.
The prime minister explained her motives for these touchy decisions in what is clearly a sensitive situation, primarily not wanting to add fuel to the fire. At the same time, the day might come when similar assistance is requested from authorities in Marigot by those in Philipsburg.
When inquiring about dialogue with the protesters and possibly meeting them halfway, Jacobs said she was told by the préfète that the main problem is rebellious youth not connected to the demands made. While there may be some truth to the latter, reaching some type of compromise on the way forward regarding the issues listed is probably the key to restoring peace and order.
Make no mistake, doing so quickly is very important for the entire “Friendly Island” and its tourism economy that provides the livelihood for practically the whole population, especially with the high season now underway. Hopefully wisdom and common sense will reign on the streets of St. Martin, in Marigot, but also in Paris, and let cool heads prevail.
