St Martin was always Third World, outside of the ports and resorts.
You're not kidding! Our cruise ship had a stop there and after we got off and walked around a bit, I looked around and saw that just a block and a half or so away from the main tourist areas, it looked like a raging violent ghetto. Very sad! So strange to get back to that ship and think about all those poor souls who haven't much food or even happy days and good times. :(