Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has pledged to continue targeted operations against gangs, illegal firearms, and drug trafficking following the expiration of the country’s State of Emergency.
Persad-Bissessar announced on September 16 as she unveiled the Government’s proposed Special Operations Bill, 2026, which is intended to provide a legal framework for targeted security operations without requiring a nationwide state of emergency. The legislation is similar in structure to the existing Zones of Special Operations framework but includes several changes.
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Under the proposed legislation, designated policing districts could be established in areas facing serious threats from violent crime, gang activity or illegal weapons. Authorities would be able to temporarily close defined areas and, subject to judicial oversight, impose cordons and curfews and exercise enhanced powers of search, seizure, arrest and detention.
The Prime Minister said the measures are intended to prevent gangs, gun runners and drug traffickers from regaining ground after the State of Emergency ends. She also warned criminals, financiers and facilitators that the Governm...