Ryan Bachoo
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 on Thursday at midnight.
Her warning came after the House of Representatives passed the Special Operations Bill early this morning, with Persad-Bissessar saying the legislation would next be considered by the Senate.
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 decades and said this situation must end.
The Prime Minister also criticised the Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM), along with unnamed commentators and groups, accusing them of opposing measures intended to tackle crime.
She alleged that these groups wanted “a criminal state” and accused them of acting as “mouthpieces for drug traffickers and criminals”.
Persad-Bissessar said communities, including Westmoorings, Federation Park and St Clair, were being affected by gangs and illegal drugs and guns.
She maintained that law-abiding citizens supported the Special Operations Bill and were not concerned about criticism of the legislation from what she described as criminal interests and their supporters.
The legislation was passed in the House following debate over the Government’s proposed framework for special operations to address serious threats to public safety.
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.
