WILLEMSTAD - Former politician Marcolino ‘Mike’ Franco has passed away. His family describes the loss as "unfathomable" and reflects on the "unfair battle he had to endure." Before his political career, Franco worked as a physiotherapist. 

Franco was a politician representing the ‘Partido pa Adelanto i Inovashon Soshal’ (PAIS), a party he co-founded in 2010 with Alex Rosaria. He served as the Chair of Parliament for the party from 2012 to 2016. 

In early 2018, the Dutch government appointed Franco as the government commissioner for Sint Eustatius. This appointment followed the dissolution of the island council and the dismissal of the island's administration, in accordance with the ‘Temporary Act on Neglect of Duty in Sint Eustatius.’ 

Franco was tasked with restoring the island's governance after a ‘Commission of Wise Persons,’ composed of Jan Franssen and Fredis Refunjol, concluded that the administration had severely failed in its duties. He held this position until 2020. 

His family describes the passing as "unfathomable" and an "unfair battle he had to endure." Franco died from the effects of cancer at the age of 70.