THE HAGUE – Prime Minister Luc Mercelina of Sint Maarten has formally requested temporary military assistance from the Netherlands following a sharp rise in violent robberies and other serious crime on the island. Mercelina raised the issue in talks with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof, citing growing concerns over public safety.
According to Mercelina, the recent wave of violence is largely driven by organized crime, while the local police force continues to struggle with chronic understaffing. Temporary military support, he said, would help reinforce local authorities in maintaining national and public security. “It is important that our residents see that all necessary measures are being taken to guarantee their safety,” the prime minister stated.
The request follows a violent robbery on Saturday evening at a jewelry store in a popular nightlife area. Four masked men, dressed entirely in black, carried out the attack while bystanders recorded the incident and shared the footage widely on social media. The images sparked widespread outrage and intensified calls for decisive action.
Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling strongly condemned the robbery, describing it as “an attack on the rule of law.” Addressing the perpetrators directly, she said: “You will be tracked down, you will be prosecuted, and you will face the consequences. These are not acts of courage, they are crimes, and they will be stopped.”
With the request for military assistance, the Sint Maarten government aims to temporarily strengthen the operational capacity of police and judicial authorities. The Dutch government is expected to assess the request in the coming period, including the scope and duration of any military support to be provided.