In November 2026, Trinidad and Tobago adopted the Special Operations Act, creating a legal framework for targeted security interventions in communities plagued by serious crime.
The act divides the country into policing districts and allows the President to declare a closed area under Section 11, while Section 14 authorizes curfews within those zones.
Unlike a nationwide state of emergency, the legislation permits geographically focused operations, concentrating on gang violence, illegal firearms and other major threats.
In the Maloney Gardens precinct, officials restricted the declaration to the Maloney Buildings Housing Development, excluding the broader community and District 2. The curfew runs from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., with exceptions only via permits issued under Section 14.
Both orders were signed by President Christine Kangaloo on November 10, 2026, underscoring the government's intent to balance public safety with civil liberties in high‑risk areas.