SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - From October 21-23, 2026, a delegation of the Parliament of Sint Maarten, consisting of Members of Parliament, the Hon. Lyndon C.J. Lewis, and the Hon. Dimar C. Labega participated in the Second Gathering of the ParlAmericas Parliamentary Network on Security, held at the National Congress of Chile in Valparaíso, Chile.
The gathering took place under the theme “Public Security in the Americas and the Caribbean: Parliamentary Responses to Organized Crime and Violence,” and afforded parliamentarians and other organizations the opportunity to exchange experiences and legislative approaches to organized crime, cybercrime, illicit financial activities, and the growing security challenges affecting communities across the region.
MP Lyndon Lewis, who is also the Chairman of Sint Maarten’s permanent parliamentary Committee of Justice, participated as a panellist in a session organized in collaboration with International IDEA on democratic security and legislative responses to organized crime and cybercrime in Latin America and the Caribbean.
During his presentations, MP Lewis emphasized the particular difficulties faced by smaller jurisdictions such as Sint Maarten, he also underscored the importance of stronger regional cooperation on these topics, and stressed that legislation must be practical and supported by adequate funding, trained personnel, appropriate equipment, clear institutional responsibilities, and effective parliamentary oversight.
The gathering concluded with the adoption of a declaration calling for comprehensive, people-centred security policies that combine crime prevention, effective law enforcement, access to justice, and respect for human rights and the rule of law.
It also emphasizes stronger parliamentary oversight, modernized justice systems, regional cooperation, and appropriate safeguards in the use of technology and artificial intelligence for public security.
