Dear Editor,
Good morning, good people of St. Maarten. My name is Steve A. Stewart. I am a construction worker. Several years ago I was severely injured on a job. My hand was crushed and I have lost all strength in it. At first, the representative of the company I was working for paid for the emergency medical treatment and also assured me that they would take care of the situation. After that the representative disappeared and I found myself having to retain a lawyer to represent me and seek some kind of compensation for the injury I sustained while working for the company.
After many years of being unemployed and unemployable due to my injury, the company made me an offer that I refused. I had been unemployed for many years due to the injury and the offer could not cover my legal fees and allow me to repay people who have been helping me financially.
Then out of the blue, the court decided that I was the guilty party and ordered me to pay all court fees for the defendant.
The company offered to pay, which to any reasonable person would be an admittance of guilt, yet the court turned around and squarely placed the blame on me. Here I have been unemployed due to their negligence, and I have to pay them.
I ask: Where is the justice for a poor man in this country?
To appeal my case I need another $500. How can a man who has not worked due to an injury caused by them find justice in this case? They can afford to hire high-powered lawyers, but who is there to represent the poor man? Where can I get justice?
Steve A. Stewart
Dear Editor,
The new government has been sworn in.
Dear Editor,
The writing has been on the wall for several months that the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season will be a very busy season. Several forecasters have warned that this is coming and have outlined the number of weather systems that could form during the six-month season that starts on June 1st.
What is leading to a hyperactive hurricane season? Forecasters point to the development of a La Nina during the summer months (June-July). What are El Nino and La Nina? These are climate patterns in the Pacific Ocean that can affect weather worldwide. Both can have global impacts on weather, wildfires, eco-systems, and economies.
These weather patterns have a timeline lasting nine to 12 months, but at times can last for years, and they occur every two to seven years on average, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Ocean Service. The El Nino, however, occurs more frequently.
A La Nina weather pattern can lead to a more severe hurricane season and forecasters are saying that this is what we are looking at come June.
Various forecasters, The Weather Company, Tropical Storm Risk (TSR), North Carolina State University, AccuWeather, University of Arizona, Meteo-France, and Colorado State University, have forecasted a busier-than-average year. An average hurricane season produces 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major Category 3-5 systems.
The Weather Company forecast so far is the highest, with 24 named storms, 11 hurricanes and six major hurricanes.
TSR says that North Atlantic/Caribbean Sea waters are to be warmer than normal by August/September and for moderate La Nina conditions to develop.
Knowing this, and as the season gets closer, the overall message is, are you prepared?
Roddy Heyliger
Dear Editor,
As the digital landscape evolves, so do the threats that accompany it. In response to the escalating cyber risks, the Caribbean Cyber Security Agency (CCSA) orchestrated a pivotal cybersecurity conference last year, fostering collaboration among French Caribbean territories to fortify their defences against digital threats. Building on this momentum, the announcement of the Cyber Resilience Strategy (CRS) 2030 Project on March 5, 2024, by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) underscores the critical need for a unified approach to cybersecurity across CARICOM states.
The CRS 2030 Project adopts a multifaceted strategy, aiming to enhance cyber resilience at both individual and collective levels. By leveraging regional knowledge and resources, CARICOM states can bolster their defences while addressing infrastructure gaps and legislative deficiencies. At its core, the project safeguards CARICOM’s ability to cultivate a robust cyber workforce, a vital component in combatting modern cyber threats.
Led by a committee chaired by the CARICOM Secretariat, the CRS 2030 Project brings together a diverse array of stakeholders, including officials from the Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), governmental and technical personnel, and independent experts. Through comprehensive assessments of current infrastructure, regional preparedness enhancements, and targeted legislative reforms, the strategy aims to fortify regional regulatory frameworks and foster stronger legal and international relations.
However, amidst the regional focus, the spotlight turns to St. Maarten, a small island developing state (SIDS) grappling with the intersection of technological advancement and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The increasing demand for modern online services in St. Maarten outpaces the available infrastructure, presenting both opportunities for progress and challenges in safeguarding against digital threats.
As the Caribbean region contends with a surge in cybercrime since 2020, St. Maarten has not been immune to these challenges. The recent ransomware attack on the island's utility company in 2023 serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to bolster cybersecurity measures.
Recognizing the imperative to prepare for the digital age, St. Maarten must prioritize the integration of tech-related subjects into its school curriculums. By equipping the next generation with essential digital literacy skills, coding proficiencies, and cybersecurity awareness, St. Maarten can cultivate a workforce adept at navigating the complexities of the digital landscape.
Moreover, investing in educational initiatives aimed at promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines can further strengthen St. Maarten's cyber resilience. By nurturing a pipeline of skilled professionals in fields such as computer science, data analytics, and cybersecurity, St. Maarten can fortify its defences against emerging cyber threats while positioning itself for sustainable growth in the digital economy.
In essence, as St. Maarten navigates the challenges of the digital age, the integration of tech-related subjects into its educational framework emerges as a cornerstone in building a resilient and future-ready workforce capable of safeguarding against modern cyber threats. Through strategic investments in education and collaborative regional efforts, St. Maarten can forge a path towards cyber resilience, ensuring a secure and prosperous future for generations to come.
The chance to engage in collaborative endeavors with our regional counterparts is readily accessible. We must seize these opportunities to address knowledge deficiencies and forge connections that facilitate securing the necessary funding for sustainability. The recent cyber incidents involving our government and utility company serve as cautionary tales of the consequences of neglecting modern cybersecurity protocols. It’s imperative that we strive for improvement and proactively equip ourselves for the cybersecurity challenges the broader region is already gearing up to confront.
Marvio Cooks
By Alex Rosaria
Today is World Press Freedom Day. This day aims to bring attention to the right of the public to access information without censorship and threats.
The role of press freedom and independence in sustaining democracy and safeguarding human rights cannot be overstated. As we celebrate World Press Freedom Day on May 3rd, it’s crucial to recognize the indispensable role that free press plays.
Press freedom is not a privilege, but a fundamental human right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Moreover, freedom of press is a cornerstone of democracy, facilitating informed debate and decision-making. The free and independent press should serve as the voice of the voiceless and an advocate for justice and equality.
However, press freedom is under threat in many parts of the world. In Curaçao the press is free and there’s a wide selection of media outlets. But as noted in Transparency’s International National Integrity System Assessment: Curaçao 2013, news here is rarely fact-checked which seriously “undermines the accountability and independence of the media and, in particular, their role as a watchdog.”
Additionally, the report concludes that many actors in the media don’t possess sufficient working knowledge of basic democratic principles and/or established principles and norms of journalistic practice. Some outlets are more interested in gore than anything.
An ex-writer for a local newspaper told me that the owner of the paper he wrote for came up to him one day with a copy of another local paper and said: “This is what we need: blood,” referring to articles and pictures the competitor had dedicated to a terrible car accident.
Some popular media outlets are known to spread unfounded and highly biased xenophobic and anti-immigrant sentiments. A recent news article suggests – without any substantiation – that “pretty” Venezuelan females that arrive at the airport in Curaçao are not tourists, but prostitutes. These generalities and accusations have sparked a debate about the role of the media in shaping public perceptions based on unfounded and unproven stories.
As we commemorate World Press Freedom Day let us reaffirm our commitment to defending and promoting press freedom and independent press. Only then can the media function as a cornerstone of democracy and human rights.
~ Alex David Rosaria (53) is a freelance consultant active in Asia and the Pacific. He is a former Member of Parliament, Minister of Economic Affairs, State Secretary of Finance and UN Implementation Officer in Africa and Central America. He is from Curaçao and has an MBA from University of Iowa (USA). ~
