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Richard Panneflek: Sint Maarten Minister of VSA, 2020–2021

A short profile of Richard Panneflek, the United People's party minister who led Public Health, Social Development and Labour in the second Jacobs cabinet from March 2020 until April 2021.

By SXM Daily · October 22, 2026

Richard Panneflek served as Sint Maarten's Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (VSA) from 28 March 2020 until April 2021, for the United People's party (UP).

Illustrative photo: Richie Diesterheft, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Minister of VSA

Governor Eugene Holiday swore Panneflek in on Saturday 28 March 2020 as VSA Minister in the second cabinet of Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs, The Daily Herald reported. He was the UP's choice for the post.

In October 2020 UP leader Rolando Brison told The Daily Herald that Panneflek's appointment at VSA had been meant to be temporary, and that he had originally been slated to become Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary.

Resignation

Panneflek resigned as minister in April 2021. His successor, Omar Ottley, was sworn in as VSA Minister on Tuesday 20 April 2021, SMN News and The Daily Herald reported.

Sources

• https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/new-govt-to-be-sworn-in-sat-ministers-named
• https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/governor-urges-new-ministers-to-take-up-role-with-sense-of-urgency
• https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/up-considering-candidates-for-panneflek-s-replacement
• https://sxmelections.com/news/43575/exclusive-mp-omar-ottley-to-be-sworn-in-as-minister-of-vsa-on-tuesday
• https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/labour-protection-hospital-completion-goals-for-incoming-vsa-minister-ottley

Source: https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/new-govt-to-be-sworn-in-sat-ministers-named