Persad-Bissessar says another State of Emergency remains possible despite passage of Special Operations Bill

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says she would not hesitate to declare another State of Emergency if serious threats to public safety and security re-emerge, despite the Government advancing its new Special Operations Bill.

Persad-Bissessar made the statement on Saturday, September 19, following the passage of the Special Operations Bill, 2026 in the House of Representatives after a marathon sitting that ended shortly after midnight. Parliament’s records confirm the Bill was debated in the House on September 18.

The Prime Minister described the recently concluded State of Emergency as highly successful and said 3,552 people were charged during the period. That figure has also been publicly reported following the end of the SOE.

She said the Government intends to take the Special Operations Bill to the Senate next week and expressed confidence that it would pass without amendments. The Senate is scheduled to sit on Tuesday, September 22.

However, Persad-Bissessar said the new legislation would not prevent her Government from pursuing another SOE if circumstances warranted one.

“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.

The Prime Minister also issued a warning to violent gangs and people involved in the illegal drug trade, saying the Government would continue taking strong action against organised criminal activity.

She accused the PNM, some commentators and other groups of opposing measures intended to combat violent crime and drug trafficking. Those assertions were political claims made by the Prime Minister and were not independently established in her statement.

The Opposition has raised significant concerns about the Special Operations Bill. Opposition MPs Stuart Young and Keith Scotland have separately argued that provisions could undermine constitutional rights, claims disputed by the Government.

According to Parliament’s summary, the legislation would establish policing districts and provide a framework for special police operations, including operations supported by members of the Defence Force. It also contains provisions concerning human-rights training, use of force, community engagement, conflict de-escalation and reporting requirements.