THE GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING AT SEVERAL OPTIONS TO DEAL WITH THE COUNTRY’S CRIME PROBLEM, INCLUDING DESIGNATED “ZONES OF SPECIAL OPERATION”, AS IS DONE IN JAMAICA, AFTER THE STATE OF EMERGENCY (SOE) COMES TO AN END ON JANUARY 31.
On THURSDAY JANUARY 8TH, 2026, PRIME MINISTER KAMLA PERSAD-BISSESSAR HELD A MEETING OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL, DURING WHICH THE SOE WAS AMONG THE KEY ITEMS DISCUSSED.
THE MEETING TOOK PLACE AT THE DIPLOMATIC CENTRE, ST ANN’S, FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION OF THE CABINET MEETING CHAIRED BY THE PRIME MINISTER.
THE SOE IS SET TO EXPIRE ON JANUARY 31, AND ANY FURTHER EXTENSION WOULD REQUIRE A SPECIAL MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT.
AMONG THOSE PRESENT AT THE MEETING WERE POLICE COMMISSIONER ALLISTER GUEVARRO, AND CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF COMMODORE DON POLO.
RESPONDING TO QUESTIONS FROM THE EXPRESS YESTERDAY, MINISTER OF HOMELAND SECURITY ROGER ALEXANDER SAID THE MEETING WAS WIDE-RANGING.
WHILE NOTING THAT THE MATTERS DISCUSSED WERE CONFIDENTIAL AND SENSITIVE IN NATURE, HE CONFIRMED THAT THE SOE WAS ON THE AGENDA, ALONG WITH GOVERNMENT ANTI-CRIME INITIATIVES AND PLANS TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY AS THE COUNTRY HEADS FURTHER INTO THE CARNIVAL SEASON.
UNDER PERSAD-BISSESSAR’S GOVERNMENT, THE SOE WAS FIRST PROCLAIMED ON JULY 18, 2025, FOLLOWING INTELLIGENCE ABOUT A PRISON-BASED CRIMINAL NETWORK PLANNING TO TARGET KEY OFFICIALS AND INSTITUTIONS.
THE DECLARATION GRANTED LAW ENFORCEMENT EXTENDED POWERS TO SEARCH, ARREST, AND DETAIN WITHOUT THE USUAL CONSTRAINTS.
ON JULY 28, 2025, PARLIAMENT APPROVED A THREE-MONTH EXTENSION OF THE SOE, FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER THREE-MONTH EXTENSION IN LATE OCTOBER, EXTENDING IT TO JANUARY 31ST, THIS YEAR.