Kamla Hails Crime Gains Amid Rising Questions Over Power, Justice

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has credited increased American support with strengthening Trinidad and Tobago’s crime fight, while accusing unnamed influential interests of attacking the protective services and defending criminality.

In a statement issued Monday, Persad-Bissessar said serious crime declined by 15 per cent in 2026 and thanked the leadership of the police, Defence Force, Strategic Services Agency and Prison Service. Available figures show serious reported crimes falling from 6,469 between January and July 20, 2025, to 5,514 over the corresponding period this year.

The statement lands amid heated debate over the preventive detentions of business executives Dominic and Genevieve Hadeed and their relative, Star Sabga, in connection with an alleged plot against Government officials. The Hadeeds were released without charge after their detention orders were revoked. Sabga remains detained and has denied wrongdoing.

A purportedly private conversation involving Sabga and Genevieve Hadeed has since circulated online. The recording reportedly contains sharp criticism of the Prime Minister, her relationship with the Trump administration and statements interpreted by the State as advocating violence. Excerpts were referenced in an affidavit filed by Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander. However, the recording’s authenticity, completeness and route into the public domain have not been independently established, prompting calls for an investigation into its release.

Persad-Bissessar’s statement did not name Sabga or the Hadeeds, and no direct connection should be inferred. Nevertheless, its references to American assistance, wealthy criminal interests and a tiered justice system place it squarely within the national dispute over security, political power and equal treatment under the law.

Read the Prime Minister’s full statement below:
“Since the increase in American support to our protective services began last year, we have witnessed a heightened unease and furor among those who have built their wealth and social status by upholding illegality and criminality to benefit their friends, families, and financiers while simultaneously destroying the prosperity and happiness of law-abiding citizens.

They have spread false narratives to stoke hatred between the two major ethnic groups and launched unrelenting attacks on the American government and our protective services through their social media trolls, deranged commentators, race grifters, and the discredited and corrupted Guardian Media Limited.

However, despite the attacks from criminal entities through their agents in the legal fraternity, business community, mainstream and social media to incite hatred against our protective services, the men and women of the police, defence forces, SSA and prison service through great efforts and personal sacrifices managed to bring down serious crimes by 15 percent in 2026.

I am thankful to the brave men and women of our law enforcement and intelligence agencies who daily undertake the difficult responsibilities of protecting our nation and safeguarding our freedoms, often under immense pressure and unfair criticisms. The protective services continue to demonstrate astuteness and diligence in their actions while maintaining the freedoms of all citizens.

On behalf of all law-abiding citizens I express sincere gratitude to COP Allister Guevarro, SSA Director Alicia Henry, CDS Commodore Don Polo, Prison Superintendent Elvin Scanterbury, and all their colleagues and reaffirm our confidence in them, and their shared vision of ending the grip of crime on our nation.

Exterminating the evil local drug mafia which has entrenched itself across all classes of our society is not a job for weak men and women. We are committed to seeing this mission through along with our international partners professionally and fairly.

For too long this country has accepted a tiered justice system in which different rules, conditions, and treatment apply to persons and groups in society based on income levels, ethnicity, where they live, and who they fund.

That time has come to an end. No one’s wealth or social status will put them above the law. Persons from Laventille, Siparia, West Moorings, or any other part of Trinidad and Tobago will face the same application of justice.”