In Brief
- Stern Warning: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has warned that she will not hesitate to implement another State of Emergency (SoE) if serious threats to citizen safety re-emerge.
- Legislative Update: The warning comes just hours after the Special Operations (So) Bill was passed in the Lower House. The PM stated it will head to the Senate next week to be passed without amendments.
- Recent SoE Success: Persad-Bissessar praised the most recent SoE—which ended on Thursday, September 17, 2026—as ‘highly successful,’ noting that 3,552 people were charged during its run.
- Strong Words for Gangs and Rivals: The PM issued a direct threat of “harsh and brutal consequences” to local gangs and drug traffickers. She also heavily criticized the opposition PNM and certain commentators, accusing them of acting as mouthpieces for criminals and wanting a ‘criminal state.’
- Historical Context: The country has been under multiple SoEs in recent years, starting under the PNM government in late 2024, followed by successive SoEs called by the current UNC government to combat prison networks and broader crime.
By Prior Beharry
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has said that if a surge in crime re-emerges, she will not hesitate to call another State of Emergency (SoE).
She posted the statement on her social media accounts on Saturday, hours after the Special Operations (So) Bill was passed in the Lower House.
Persad-Bissessar said that during the “highly successful” SoE, which ended on Thursday, 3,552 people were charged.
She said the So Bill will now go to the Senate.
Persad-Bissessar said: “Following the highly successful State of Emergency, during which 3,552 persons were charged, last night the Special Operations (So) Bill was passed in the House of Representatives. Next week, the So Bill will be passed in the Senate without amendments.
“However, if serious threats to the safety and security of citizens re-emerge, I will not hesitate to put the country under another SoE.
“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.
“You have tortured and terrorised law-abiding citizens for three decades, and that must come to an end. You, your families and supporters will continue to face harsh and brutal consequences if law-abiding citizens cannot live in peace because of your actions.
“The PNM, certain commentators and groups want a criminal state so the Westmoorings, Federation Park, St Clair and other gangs throughout the country can flood our communities with illegal drugs and guns.
“They act as mouthpieces for drug traffickers and criminals. They have no care about the suffering of decent, law-abiding citizens and their children.
“All law-abiding citizens support the Special Operations Bill and are not bothered by the complaints from drug lords and their minions.
“My Government will continue to work in the best interests of our citizens.”
Meanwhile, under the People’s National Movement, an SoE was announced on December 30, 2024, then extended by Parliament into the first half of 2025.
The United National Congress (UNC) government took office on April 28, 2025, and called an SoE on July 18, 2025 to intercept internal prison networks. This was later extended in late October 2025 and expired on January 31, 2026.
The last SoE was proclaimed on March 2, 2026, taking effect on March 3, 2026. It received multiple three-month parliamentary extensions until Persad-Bissessar announced its final conclusion at midnight on September 17, 2026.
