In a major parliamentary address marking the commencement of the 2026 legislative year, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar declared her government’s intention to terminate the nationwide state of emergency on January 31. The emergency measures, initially imposed in July and subsequently extended twice, will be replaced by targeted zones of special operation to maintain security gains.
Addressing the House of Representatives on January 16, Persad-Bissessar defended her administration’s aggressive stance against criminal organizations, crediting security forces with achieving a dramatic 42% reduction in homicides—a statistic she characterized as globally significant. ‘From day one we have acted forcefully and decisively to frontally attack criminal entities that have brought bloodshed and terror to our citizens,’ the Prime Minister stated, asserting that these measures have spared lives and enhanced public safety.
The Prime Minister notably endorsed recent US military operations that destroyed suspected drug-trafficking vessels in Trinidad and Tobago’s waters, asserting that legal counsel had confirmed no breach of international law. When challenged by opposition members regarding the legal basis for these actions, Persad-Bissessar retorted, ‘Find a good international lawyer!’
Her comprehensive legislative agenda includes profound judicial reforms, notably a constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to a trial within a reasonable timeframe. ‘It cannot be right for a person to be locked up for years without trial, potentially for the same duration as their sentence would be, with their reputation ruined,’ she emphasized.
The government proposes restructuring homicide trials to include three-judge panels instead of jury trials, establishing the new judicial position of Chancellor, and implementing measures to accelerate justice delivery while protecting victims’ rights. Additional reforms encompass firearms management, plea bargaining mechanisms, and record expungement for rehabilitated offenders.
Following recent discussions in Tobago with re-elected THA leader Farley Augustine, the Prime Minister committed to advancing Tobago’s autonomy through new legislation that would establish the island as ‘an equal, autonomous partner’ within the republic.
Persad-Bissessar also addressed societal concerns including noise pollution and fireworks regulation, while denying allegations of intending to restrict cultural festivities. Further proposed legislation seeks to raise the legal age for alcohol and cannabis consumption to 21, and gambling to 25.