Lead Editor–Newsgathering
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has warned that she will not hesitate to declare another State of Emergency (SoE) if serious threats to the safety and security of citizens re-emerge.
The SoE ended at midnight on Thursday, following several months of emergency measures aimed at tackling serious crime and gang activity.
Since the UNC-led Government came into office in April 2025, two states of emergency have been declared.
The first was declared on July 18, 2025, taking effect just after midnight. It was subsequently extended twice before ending on January 31, 2026.
A second SoE was declared on March 3, 2026, following what the Government described as credible threats of attacks against law enforcement officers.
Persad-Bissessar’s latest warning came after the House of Representatives passed the Special Operations Bill early yesterday morning. The legislation establishes seven policing districts across Trinidad and Tobago and creates a framework for special operations to combat criminal activity.
Within those districts, specific locations can be declared “closed areas,” where enhanced law enforcement powers can be exercised for limited periods.
Persad-Bissessar said the legislation will next be considered by the Senate and is expected to be passed without amendments.
The Prime Minister said the recently concluded SoE had resulted in 3,552 people being charged, which she described as a highly successful operation.
She said the passage of the Special Operations Bill would provide another mechanism to deal with threats to national security, but stressed that her Government would be prepared to invoke emergency powers if necessary.
“However, if serious threats to the safety and security of citizens re-emerge, I will not hesitate to put the country under another SoE,” she said.
Persad-Bissessar also issued a direct warning to criminal gangs and the illegal drug trade, saying those involved in violent crime could again face detention at facilities including Teteron and the Maximum Security Prison (MSP).
“I want the local drug mafia and the violent gangs to understand clearly that the cells at Teteron and MSP await again if you continue your criminal behaviour,” she said.
She accused criminal elements of having “tortured and terrorised” law-abiding citizens for three decades and said this situation must come to an end.
The Prime Minister also sharply criticised the Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM), along with commentators and other groups who have raised concerns about the Special Operations Bill.
Speaking to Guardian Media earlier in the day after the PNM criticised the legislation, Persad-Bissessar accused the Opposition of siding with criminal interests.
“The PNM wants a criminal state so the Westmoorings, Federation Park, St Clair and other gangs can flood communities with illegal drugs and guns. The PNM acts like a mouthpiece for drug traffickers and criminals in and out Parliament,” she said.
“They have no care for the suffering of their own supporters. Law-abiding citizens support the Special Operations Bill. I’m not bothered about the complaints from drug lords and their minions.”
Persad-Bissessar also doubled down on her criticism of the Independent Senators. This comes after she claimed in January that two Independent Senators sought personal favours in exchange for supporting the ZOSO Bill.
While she did not identify them by name, she said the identities of the two senators were known throughout the Senate and strongly criticised their motives.
“The entire Senate knows who the two persons are. They both have become laughingstocks in the Senate. The bill will pass in the Senate next week without amendments,” she said.
“If the President’s senators want to dictate legislation, they should fight elections to earn that right. I have no regard for those deadbeats. They’re only there for self-promotion and advancement of their scummy personal ambitions.”
Persad-Bissessar said her administration would continue to act in what it considers to be the best interests of citizens.
“My Government will continue to work in the best interests of our citizens,” she said.
