Carib Scope

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  • Antigua and Barbuda Government Considers Trying Juveniles as Adults for Serious Crimes

    Antigua and Barbuda Government Considers Trying Juveniles as Adults for Serious Crimes

    In response to growing public and legislative concern over youth involvement in violent, firearm-related offenses, the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has greenlit a targeted review of the nation’s 2015 Child Justice Act, with the explicit goal of narrowing eligibility for diversion programs for juveniles accused of serious gun crimes. The decision was formally announced to reporters by Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant during a post-Cabinet press briefing held Thursday, one day after the body convened to debate the issue.

    Under the existing Child Justice Act, any individual under the age of 18 is classified as a child, and qualifying cases can be processed outside of the traditional formal court system through a diversion framework. Designed as a restorative justice measure, diversion was intended to balance accountability for young offenders with support for rehabilitation and community reintegration, while also sparing minors the lifelong consequences of a permanent criminal record and unnecessary social stigma. Currently, the Child Justice Board evaluates multiple factors before approving a diversion recommendation: input from the Director of Public Prosecutions or an assigned prosecutor, a formal social and psychological assessment of the minor, the child’s age, and a confirmation that the minor accepts responsibility for the alleged offense.

    Despite the original intent of the policy, Merchant emphasized that Cabinet members have growing anxieties about the rising participation of young people in severe criminal activity, especially offenses involving illegal firearms. The ongoing review, which has been assigned to the Office of the Attorney General, will specifically scrutinize the provisions that currently allow minors accused of gun-related crimes to qualify for diversion. If changes move forward following the review, the list of offenses eligible for diversion will be narrowed, meaning juveniles accused of the most serious offenses including gun crimes will be processed through the standard adult-like court system instead of receiving alternative handling. As of the briefing, no formal amendments to the legislation have been drafted or approved, and the Attorney General’s assessment will guide exactly what adjustments will be proposed to the existing law.

  • Towards the modernization of the pension system in Haiti

    Towards the modernization of the pension system in Haiti

    In a landmark step toward advancing social equity and securing retirement futures for Haitian workers, Haiti’s Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MAST), in partnership with the National Old-Age Insurance Office (ONA), kicked off the National Forum on the Modernization and Consolidation of the General Pension System on September 16, 2026. Running through September 18, this three-day collaborative gathering is centered on the core values of social justice and intergenerational solidarity, bringing together stakeholders to address longstanding gaps in the Caribbean nation’s retirement infrastructure.

    The forum was structured to move systematically from problem diagnosis to actionable reform, with each day dedicated to a distinct phase of the modernization process. The opening day, themed “Understanding the ONA and Diagnosing the General ONA System”, focused entirely on mapping the current state of Haiti’s pension framework. Participants conducted a frank assessment of the system’s existing strengths, persistent weaknesses, and the most pressing challenges that have prevented it from serving all Haitian workers equitably.

    On the second day of discussions, attendees will shift to forward-looking design, working to outline a new pension framework that is modern, fair, and financially stable over the long term. A central focus of this phase will be building flexible social protection mechanisms that align with Haiti’s unique economic and labor landscape, which is dominated by large numbers of workers in non-formal employment.

    The third and final day will be dedicated to expanding overall social protection coverage and building a clear, time-bound reform roadmap. By the close of the forum, participants aim to produce specific, implementable recommendations that can be rolled out in incremental stages over the short, medium, and long term.

    In his opening address to the forum, MAST Minister Marc-Elie Nelson framed the reform effort as far more than a bureaucratic or financial adjustment. “We are not simply opening a Pensions Forum today. We are launching a project on social justice,” he emphasized.

    Nelson underscored the fundamental moral obligation of the state to ensure that Haitians who spent their lives contributing to the national economy can access a secure, dignified retirement. A top priority of the modernization push, he noted, is the gradual inclusion of informal sector workers into the social protection system—a long-overdue adjustment to reflect the realities of Haiti’s labor market.

    “Informal workers are not invisible workers,” Nelson stated. He pointed out that workers across the informal economy, from street vendors and small-scale farmers to transporters, construction workers, repair technicians and small producers, make critical contributions to the country’s overall wealth and deserve the same retirement security as formal sector employees.

    Beyond expanding coverage, the modernization effort also targets systemic improvements to service delivery for insured people. Key priorities identified for the reform include simplifying burdensome administrative procedures, rolling out digital service access, strengthening personal data protection, and making pension institutions more accessible to communities across the country.

    For Nelson, digital transformation of the pension system must always be rooted in a clear social mission: to deliver tangible improvements to the daily lives and well-being of Haitian citizens. He added that modernization must also go hand in hand with stricter requirements for transparency, institutional integrity, independent oversight, and public accountability across all pension governing bodies.

    The core end goal of the forum is to create a detailed reform roadmap that clearly defines required actions, assigns institutional responsibilities, sets firm deadlines, and establishes robust mechanisms to track progress and outcomes. Echoing the need for accountability, Nelson noted: “A reform without a timeline remains just an intention. A reform without those responsible remains just talk, and a reform without follow-up becomes a forgotten promise.”

  • Security : Vladimir Paraison’s intervention on the use of force in the conduct of operations (speech)

    Security : Vladimir Paraison’s intervention on the use of force in the conduct of operations (speech)

    On September 16, 2026, senior security leaders from across Haiti gathered for the opening of a landmark inter-agency workshop focused on embedding international legal standards for the use of force into ongoing counter-gang security operations. Jointly organized for the Haitian National Police (PNH), the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H), and the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), the event centered on aligning operational practices with the frameworks of International Human Rights Law (IHRL) and International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with technical and logistical support from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Haiti.

    In his opening keynote address, Acting PNH Director General Vladimir Paraison opened by acknowledging the critical support the ICRC has provided to Haiti’s security sector, framing the workshop as a strategically vital initiative for upholding the legitimacy of Haiti’s ongoing campaign to stabilize the country.

    Paraison acknowledged that Haiti currently faces one of the most complex security crises in its modern history, noting that PNH, alongside military and GSF partners, has been waging an unremitting ground campaign to reestablish public order and protect vulnerable civilian communities from widespread gang violence. He emphasized that while courage and resolve remain foundational to these operations, the unique complexity of Haiti’s current security landscape demands more than just tactical skill: it requires coordinated, shared adherence to clear legal standards governing when and how force may be used.

    Whether security operations fall under public order mandates governed by IHRL, or fall into hostile contexts where IHL applies as a complement to human rights frameworks, Paraison stressed that the core guiding principle must remain unchanged: all operations must prioritize upholding the rule of law and protecting innocent civilian populations. Frontline commanders, operational planners, and intervention teams confront high-stakes tactical decisions every day, he noted, making it essential that abstract legal principles are translated into instinctive, consistent operational practices — the core goal of the workshop.

    Outlining four non-negotiable pillars that all security personnel must follow when deploying armed force, Paraison made clear that arbitrary use of force has no place in Haiti’s security operations. The first pillar is legality: all actions must be carried out strictly within the bounds of national and international law. Second is necessity: force may only be used when no other alternative exists to address a given threat. Third is proportionality: the intensity of any security response must be directly calibrated to match the severity of the threat being confronted. The fourth and final pillar is precaution: all operations must be planned in advance to avoid or minimize collateral harm and injury to innocent civilians.

    Paraison emphasized that the true institutional strength of Haiti’s republican security bodies — including PNH, FAd’H, and GSF — lies not in firepower alone, but in their ability to restore order while upholding exemplary respect for human rights. Contrary to arguments that legal constraints limit operational effectiveness, he noted that adherence to these standards actually boosts public trust in security institutions and reinforces the legitimacy of their work, a key factor in long-term stabilization.

    Addressing participating officers from all three security bodies, Paraison called on attendees to engage fully with the workshop’s programming, which includes hands-on case studies, tactical simulations, and interactive cross-agency discussions. He urged participants to openly identify on-the-ground operational challenges, assess gaps in existing training, and develop concrete actionable proposals to update Haiti’s security doctrine and guide future operations. Attendees were selected specifically for their role as key intermediaries within their respective command structures, putting them in a position to disseminate new standards across the broader security force.

    Concluding his address, Paraison expressed hope that this inter-institutional forum, established with ICRC support, will become a permanent platform for aligning operational practices and strengthening Haiti’s security sector. He closed by affirming that through shared commitment to the rule of law and professional rigor, Haiti’s security forces will succeed in restoring lasting peace and security for all Haitian citizens.

  • Government hands over 16 new homes in Woodford Hill, with titles to follow

    Government hands over 16 new homes in Woodford Hill, with titles to follow

    In a landmark handover ceremony held earlier this week, 16 residents of Dominica’s Woodford Hill community took possession of new, climate-resilient homes, with government officials confirming that official property titles will be issued to the beneficiaries in the near future.

    Speaking at the event, Housing Minister Melissa Poponne-Skerrit urged the new homeowners to build collaborative, thriving communities in their updated neighborhood, while highlighting the robust engineering behind the units. Each home is built to withstand Category 5 hurricanes, designed to hold up against the intensifying extreme weather events driven by climate change. Poponne-Skerrit noted that unlike many older structures across the hurricane-prone island, these new homes will eliminate the constant fear of storm damage for residents, allowing them to remain safe and secure even as severe weather passes through the region.

    Beyond immediate shelter, the minister emphasized that the homes represent far more than just a place to live. Each property is currently valued at approximately $450,000 Eastern Caribbean dollars, and is expected to appreciate in value over time, creating a lasting tangible asset for beneficiary families. This asset can also be inherited by future generations, creating intergenerational wealth stability that extends far beyond the current group of homeowners.
    Acting Prime Minister Roland Royer used the handover ceremony as an opportunity to tie the local housing initiative to Dominica’s largest ever infrastructure investment: the construction of a new international airport in nearby Wesley. Royer explained that the housing development in Woodford Hill, Wesley and surrounding communities is intentionally aligned with the airport project, which is set to bring widespread economic opportunity to the entire region once operational.

    When the airport opens, Royer said it will require hundreds of full- and part-time workers to support daily operations, spanning a wide range of roles. These include on-airport positions such as customer service representatives, security officers, baggage handlers, ground crew, cleaning staff, maintenance technicians, firefighters, drivers, administrative staff, IT specialists and traffic management personnel. Off-airport opportunities will also boom, he added, with growing demand for taxi drivers to transport visitors, local farmers to supply fresh produce to expanding hotels and restaurants, and fishers to supply fresh seafood to local hospitality businesses.

    The Woodford Hill housing project falls under the Dominican government’s national resilient housing initiative, which carries the slogan “Building Homes, Strengthening Communities and Transforming Lives.” The broader program is a core component of the country’s long-term climate adaptation and post-disaster recovery strategy, with an overarching goal of delivering 5,000 hurricane-resilient homes to families across the island by the completion of the initiative.

  • ‘Repatriation’ proposal before CARICOM reparations conference

    ‘Repatriation’ proposal before CARICOM reparations conference

    Nearly 400 years after enslaved African ancestors were forcibly transported across the Atlantic to toil on Caribbean sugar plantations, a groundbreaking initiative to turn the long-held dream of diaspora repatriation to Africa into official policy is set to be tabled this week. On Thursday, delegates and civil society representatives at the Third CARICOM Regional Conference on Reparations, hosted in Barbados, will review a pilot resettlement scheme jointly developed for Jamaica and Ethiopia that prioritizes Rastafarian and other Caribbean diaspora communities seeking to relocate.

    The proposal, crafted by the Ethio-Africa Diaspora Union Millennium Council (EADUMC) alongside regional partner organizations, lays out a structured, actionable framework designed to move repatriation from abstract conversation to government-endorsed reparatory justice policy. At its core is the Jamaica-Ethiopia Pilot Programme, developed in close collaboration with the Jamaica Rastafari Development Community, which will act as a real-world test case for future large-scale resettlement efforts.

    The pilot is designed to connect Caribbean diaspora members with the long-established Rastafari community already based in Shashamane, Ethiopia. To ensure relocated people can build stable, self-sufficient new lives, the initiative will draw additional financial and community support from aligned diaspora groups in the United States and United Kingdom.

    Organizers of the proposal frame this submission as the logical next step following the foundational discussions held at the first two CARICOM reparations conferences, held in 2013 and 2014. They are calling on Caribbean regional leaders to move past symbolic recognition of the need for reparations and implement concrete, measurable progress aligned with CARICOM’s updated 10-point reparations plan.

    In EADUMC’s official submission to the conference, the organization emphasized: “Repatriation is the central implementation issue. The third conference can now establish the legal, institutional, financial and community-governance pathway needed to move from recognition to a measurable Jamaica–Ethiopia Pilot.”

    To launch the pilot, advocates have outlined a 12-month planning phase focused on addressing practical barriers to relocation. During this period, organizers will work to guarantee secure legal status, access to land, and viable livelihood opportunities for all volunteers who choose to relocate. The framework also prioritizes cross-regional technology and skills sharing, and mandates transparent, accountable tracking of all program funding to prevent mismanagement.

    Barbadian Rastafarian community representative Paul Ras Simba Rock will serve as the official spokesperson for the proposal, leading advocacy for the plan during civil society sessions and roundtable discussions across the conference, centering Caribbean voices in the diplomatic push for action.

    EADUMC has laid out four clear demands for CARICOM leaders ahead of the conference. First, the organization asks delegates to formally approve its framework as the official blueprint for repatriation. Second, it calls for a technical review of the Jamaica-Ethiopia Pilot to be completed within 90 days of the conference. Third, it advocates for the creation of a joint working group bringing together CARICOM and the African Union to oversee all resettlement activities, with a permanent voting seat reserved for Rastafari community representatives at the table. Finally, the group is pushing for the pilot to be formally incorporated into CARICOM’s 2027–2031 regional Action Plan.

    The architects of the framework have stressed that the entire process must prioritize safety and ethical governance, with strict protections for Rastafari cultural rights and guarantees that community members will retain genuine decision-making power over the program’s operations, rather than being treated as symbolic tokens of reparations.

    The full proposal was developed under the leadership of EADUMC General Secretary Prophet Greg and Intellectual Property Consultant Maxine Stowe. Stowe, who has spearheaded much of the policy design work, has been nominated to fill the post of Cultural Ambassador to the Reparatory Justice Framework, a position previously held by legendary Jamaican reggae icon Bunny Wailer, who passed away in 2021. For advocates gathered in Bridgetown, this proposal marks the beginning of a new era for reparatory action, turning a centuries-old dream of return into tangible, structured progress.

  • Consumer Affairs Tribunal: Strengthening consumer protection

    Consumer Affairs Tribunal: Strengthening consumer protection

    Grenada has marked a critical milestone in the evolution of its national consumer protection infrastructure with the official launch of the long-awaited Consumer Affairs Tribunal, a specialized independent body tasked with adjudicating consumer-related conflicts across the country. The five-person panel, which brings together cross-sector professional expertise to ensure balanced, informed decision-making, officially began its regulatory and adjudicatory functions on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Leading the tribunal is Magistrate Nevlyn John, who will work alongside fellow panel members Egbert Felix, a retired public servant, Caryn Adams, a practicing attorney-at-law, Randy Cadet, Deputy Comptroller of Grenada’s Inland Revenue Division, and Nicole Forsyth-Garraway, a professional economist. The collective background of the tribunal’s membership spans core fields relevant to consumer advocacy and dispute resolution, including public administration, legal practice, taxation, economics, business strategy, and accounting, creating a foundation for well-rounded, thoughtful consideration of every case brought before the body. Senator Claudette Joseph, Grenada’s Minister responsible for Consumer Affairs, framed the tribunal’s launch as a transformative leap forward for the country’s consumer protection regime. In her remarks marking the occasion, Joseph emphasized that the new body fills a long-standing gap in access to justice for consumers, strengthening systemic accountability and creating a formal, accessible avenue for residents to seek redress when conflicts arise with businesses or service providers. “This step does more than improve our regulatory framework,” Joseph noted. “It builds greater public trust in Grenada’s marketplace, and reaffirms our government’s unwavering commitment to upholding and protecting the fundamental rights of consumers across all sectors.” Merlyn Horsford-Williams, Director of Grenada’s Consumer Affairs Office, echoed Joseph’s optimism, highlighting that the operational tribunal will amplify the office’s core mission to serve public interests. Horsford-Williams explained that the new adjudicatory body complements the existing work of the Consumer Affairs Office, expanding the range of formal resolution options available to consumers and strengthening the institution’s capacity to address public concerns through a transparent, rule-bound process. For tribunal chair Nevlyn John, the opportunity to lead the new body comes with significant responsibility that the panel is prepared to uphold. “It is an honour to be entrusted with this role, and our entire panel recognizes the gravity of the work ahead of us,” John said. “We are committed to approaching every case that comes before us with fairness, impartiality, and uncompromising integrity, and we will carry out our duties professionally to strengthen public confidence in this new dispute resolution system.” With the tribunal now fully operational, the Consumer Affairs Office is urging Grenadian residents to continue reporting consumer-related concerns and take advantage of the expanded formal services now available to them. The launch brings Grenada’s national consumer protection framework one step closer to full functionality, equipping the system to hear and resolve eligible consumer disputes in line with established, transparent legal and regulatory procedures.

  • Gaston Browne Fires Back at Attorney Over Chemical Castration Criticism

    Gaston Browne Fires Back at Attorney Over Chemical Castration Criticism

    A fiery public exchange has erupted over a radical criminal justice proposal in Antigua and Barbuda, with Prime Minister Gaston Browne doubling down on his call for legal chemical castration as an optional sentencing option for repeat child sexual offenders, while launching a scathing rebuke of his outspoken critic, attorney Edwin.

    Browne hit back hard after Edwin labeled his proposal as irresponsible, attacking the prime minister in personal terms. In a forceful response, Browne rejected the characterization of his plan as a political gimmick, emphasizing that it was born out of a growing public anger over persistent soft sentencing for heinous crimes against children.

    The prime minister pointed to a longstanding gap between law and practice in the Caribbean nation: while Antigua and Barbuda currently carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for statutory rape, lenient sentencing norms in the country’s courts have resulted in repeat offenders walking free after serving just two or three years behind bars for repeated rapes of underage girls. He argued that such disproportionately short punishments fail to deliver any meaningful justice to the young victims who have endured traumatic, repeated abuse.

    Turning his criticism directly to Edwin, Browne accused the defense attorney of prioritizing his own professional income and client protection over the rights and well-being of violated children. He claimed that attorneys who represent these perpetrators often lack any empathy for the young survivors who face lifelong harm from sexual exploitation, stressing that criminal offenders are not the only group entitled to legal protections. Short multi-year sentences for repeated child rape can never amount to justice, Browne insisted.

    Compared to harsher alternatives such as the death penalty or 30-year prison terms that critics have referenced, Browne framed court-supervised, legally grounded chemical castration as a pragmatic, viable alternative sentencing option that would address the failure of current sentencing practices.

    With general elections scheduled to take place in Antigua in 2031, Browne made clear he would not backtrack on his statement. He called on Edwin to end personal attacks, show respect for differing views, and confront the systemic failure that enables lenient sentencing for child sex offenders. Closing his response, Browne challenged Edwin: while the prime minister says he is fighting to secure justice for vulnerable young people targeted by abuse, the attorney is only fighting to protect his own income stream that comes from defending convicted criminals. Browne repeatedly pressed Edwin to answer where his empathy is for the girls and boys who have endured repeated violation at the hands of pedophiles.

  • Grenada Attorney Calls Browne’s Chemical Castration Proposal ‘Barbaric’

    Grenada Attorney Calls Browne’s Chemical Castration Proposal ‘Barbaric’

    A sharp public debate has erupted in Antigua and Barbuda over a controversial policy proposal from Prime Minister Gaston Browne, after top criminal defence attorney Gerry Edwin launched a scathing attack labeling the plan to consider chemical castration for repeat child sex offenders both barbaric and a calculated political gimmick.

    While Edwin acknowledged that sexual violence against children demands the gravest legal response, he pushed back against Browne’s proposal, arguing that all criminal punishment must adhere to established legal principles, due process, and universal fundamental human rights standards.

    “In the 21st century, what could possibly prompt a national leader to put forward one of the most inhumane punishments known today?” Edwin said in his public remarks.

    The controversy stems from Browne’s recent announcement that his administration is advancing a package of harsher penalties for sexual offenses and firearms-related crimes. At the core of the proposal is a plan to explore chemical castration — a non-surgical medical procedure that uses medication to suppress sex hormones and reduce libido — as an additional punishment for adults who repeatedly commit sexual offenses against minors.

    Edwin argued that Antigua and Barbuda’s existing legal system already provides robust tools to address these heinous crimes, noting that courts already have the authority to hand down decades-long prison sentences for severe sexual offenses. He pointed out that Antigua and Barbuda is unique among Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) members in operating a dedicated specialized sex offenses court, which has clear sentencing guidelines and a track record of imposing lengthy custodial terms on convicted offenders.

    Beyond legal concerns, Edwin openly questioned the prime minister’s motivation for bringing the proposal forward now, arguing that the policy is rooted in political gain rather than public safety. “It appears to me that the prime minister has dragged the standards of political leadership into the gutter, because this is nothing more than a political stunt,” he said, adding that the timing of the proposal strongly suggests an upcoming general election is driving the conversation.

    Browne has defended his plan, pushing back against critics by arguing that existing lengthy prison terms are not enough to protect children from serial offenders. The government’s upcoming legislative amendments will also introduce tougher mandatory minimum sentences for rape, statutory rape, and firearms offenses, as part of a broader crackdown on violent crime.

    Edwin closed his remarks with a warning to political leaders, urging them to weigh the long-term legal and human rights consequences of pushing harsh, populist punishment proposals at a moment when public outrage over child sexual abuse runs high. He posed a provocative question to the public and leadership alike: “What kind of people would we become if we embrace such measures?” He noted that public demands for extreme punishment often shift when the offender is a family member or personal acquaintance, highlighting the danger of letting populist anger override established legal rights.

  • The State is coming for you

    The State is coming for you

    With just hours remaining before a nationwide state of emergency (SoE) was set to expire, Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar introduced a sweeping new anti-crime bill to parliament on Wednesday, locking in a permanent framework for targeted crackdowns on gangs, illegal firearms, and drug trafficking networks.

    Unveiled as the Special Operations Bill (SOB) 2026, the new legislation draws core goals from the earlier Zones of Special Operations (ZOSO) Bill, but includes critical structural changes that ease its path to passage. Unlike the ZOSO Bill, which required a three-fifths supermajority vote to approve, the SOB can pass into law with the governing party’s simple majority, eliminating the need for cross-aisle support to advance the government’s crime-fighting agenda.

    In a forceful address to lawmakers gathered at Port of Spain’s Red House, Persad-Bissessar emphasized that the end of the current state of emergency would not mark a retreat in the government’s war on violent organized crime. She warned criminal actors, their financial backers, and enabling associates that “there will be no sanctuary” for them as the transition to the new permanent framework takes effect. “The full lawful power of the State is coming for you,” she declared, drawing thunderous desk-thumping support from governing party legislators.

    The core purpose of the SOB is to preserve the security gains made under the outgoing state of emergency without extending the broad temporary emergency powers. Under the legislation, designated policing districts will be established to enable sustained, targeted special operations, backed by the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force when necessary. The Commissioner of Police will appoint a special operations lead for each district, while the Chief of Defence Staff will assign a military liaison for any deployments.

    In districts where violent gang activity, illicit weapons trafficking, and widespread drug trade create threats that exceed the capacity of standard policing, authorities will be authorized to temporarily cordon off areas, impose curfews, regulate entry and exit, and exercise enhanced search, seizure, arrest, and detention powers – all of which will remain subject to judicial oversight, the Prime Minister clarified. She stressed that these measures are tailored to target criminal networks, not penalize law-abiding residents: “When gangs impose illegal curfews, extort businesses, recruit children, and drive families from their homes, they attempt to replace the authority of the State with the authority of the criminal gun. This bill gives protective services the lawful power to break that control, restore public safety, and return these areas to the people who live there.”

    To counter criticism of uneven application of justice that plagued previous administrations, Persad-Bissessar explicitly rejected what she called a “two-tiered justice system” that allowed well-connected criminals to avoid accountability under the former People’s National Movement (PNM) government. “Criminals operating from upscale Westmoorings, St Clair or Federation Park will be treated in the same manner as those operating from Laventille, Arima or Siparia, or from anywhere else,” she said. “Money will no longer buy immunity, status will not prevent investigation, and political connections will not provide protection.”

    The Prime Minister also moved to address longstanding civil society concerns over excessive use of force and abuse of power by embedding strict human rights safeguards into the text of the bill. All officers deployed to special operations, including military personnel, are required to complete training in human rights, lawful use of force, community engagement, and conflict de-escalation. Within cordoned operation areas, all officers must use body-worn cameras, register all deployed weapons, and formally document all resident complaints. Detainees will be guaranteed access to medical care and visitation rights, and all enhanced law enforcement powers remain subject to ongoing judicial review. The bill also mandates formal joint cooperation protocols between police and defence forces, as well as independent standard operating procedures for each service.

    To ensure parliamentary transparency, the legislation requires monthly operational reports to be submitted to the Prime Minister and the relevant cabinet ministers overseeing police and national security. An annual public report must also be tabled before the full parliament, creating a formal mechanism for legislative oversight of ongoing special operations. Persad-Bissessar noted that these accountability measures directly address criticisms raised against earlier anti-crime legislation, balancing robust operational power for security services with clear protections for civilian rights.

    She also issued a direct challenge to the opposition PNM, saying the party can no longer hide behind procedural objections that derailed the earlier ZOSO Bill. The new legislation, she argued, centers the rights of law-abiding communities that have borne the brunt of gang violence: grieving parents who have lost children to violent crime, families terrorized in their own homes, small business owners facing daily extortion demands, and young people targeted for gang recruitment.

    As the current state of expiration came to an end on Thursday, Persad-Bissessar closed her address by repeating her stark warning to criminal networks: the expiration of temporary emergency powers is not a signal of weakened resolve. “The State of Emergency may end, but there will be no sanctuary for you,” she said. “We will find you, dismantle your networks, seize your drugs, guns and criminal proceeds, and bring you before the courts. Your money, status and political connections will not save you. The full lawful power of the State is coming for you.”

    Parliament is scheduled to open debate on the Special Operations Bill 2026 tomorrow.

  • PM, Moonilal won’t be allowed to ‘rewrite history’

    PM, Moonilal won’t be allowed to ‘rewrite history’

    A bitter public political clash has broken out in Trinidad and Tobago over the history of bilateral relations with neighboring Venezuela, as the current national administration works to mend ties fractured by months of rising tensions tied to United States military operations in the Caribbean. Former prime minister and energy minister Stuart Young, a senior figure from the previous People’s National Movement (PNM) government, has publicly pushed back against claims from current officeholders, asserting that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Energy Minister Dr. Roodal Moonilal will not be permitted to “rewrite history” on the Caribbean nation’s diplomatic track record.

    The controversy began earlier this week, when Moonilal spoke at a public event in La Brea and praised current Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers for his work repairing what he described as damage to Trinidad and Tobago-Venezuela relations inflicted by the former PNM administration. Moonilal’s comments came after months of escalating diplomatic friction between the two countries, sparked by a large-scale United States military buildup in Caribbean waters and a series of maritime strike operations that preceded the ouster of longtime Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in early January.

    Young, who made 13 trips to Caracas during the PNM’s tenure in office and negotiated the high-profile Dragon and Manakin-Cocuina natural gas deals with Venezuelan acting president Delcy Rodriguez, took to Facebook on Wednesday to challenge Moonilal’s narrative. He pointed out that it was Persad-Bissessar and Moonilal who spent years attacking Rodriguez and even called for sanctions against him and former PNM prime minister Keith Rowley as the previous administration carefully managed ties with Trinidad and Tobago’s closest northern neighbor.

    “Under the past PNM administration, the bilateral relationship between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela was always strong, stable and respectful, with no declarations of any politician being labeled ‘Persona non Grata,’” Young wrote in his social media post. He added that despite his reluctance to publicly call out a sitting minister, he deemed it his public duty to correct the historical record and hold Moonilal accountable. “No one will be allowed to rewrite history, or pretend that the current prime minister and her government bear no responsibility for the deterioration of state-to-state relations between our two nations,” Young emphasized. In a sharp personal jab, he also suggested that Moonilal should undergo cognitive and mental health testing ahead of an expected cabinet reshuffle.

    The roots of the current diplomatic rift stretch back to last September, when the United States launched its military buildup and maritime strike campaign targeting alleged drug trafficking networks operating in the region. From the start of the campaign, Persad-Bissessar has repeatedly voiced unwavering support for U.S. operations, even going so far as to suggest that all drug traffickers should be killed violently. She rejected longstanding regional calls for the Caribbean to remain a “Zone of Peace”, even as the U.S. carried out 69 lethal airstrikes and sea strikes against vessels it claims were linked to “narco-terrorist” groups transiting Caribbean and Eastern Pacific shipping lanes.

    Earlier in the escalation of tensions, Persad-Bissessar also pledged unfiltered access to Trinidad and Tobago’s territory and infrastructure for U.S. forces in the event of a Venezuelan attack on neighboring Guyana, a move that drew sharp condemnation from the Maduro administration. In response, top Maduro regime loyalists including Rodriguez issued multiple public warnings and criticisms of the Persad-Bissessar government.

    When two Trinidadian fishermen were reported killed by relatives during the fifth U.S. strike in October, Rodriguez labeled Persad-Bissessar’s pro-intervention statements a “self-fulfilling prophecy.” She also publicly pushed back against an outrageous claim from Trinidadian housing minister Phillip Edward Alexander, who claimed India would launch a nuclear strike on Venezuela to defend Trinidad and Tobago. “A nuclear bomb has already exploded in the brain of his government,” Rodriguez responded at the time. She added, “Trinidad and Tobago must think of its own people before it considers attacking Venezuela and renounce its vassalage to the U.S. government, which seeks to steal our vast energy resources. Our people are fully committed to defending our freedom and self-determination through our peaceful diplomacy, and they will never succeed in undermining our sovereignty.”

    After Trinidad and Tobago hosted the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Gravely in Port of Spain last year, the Venezuelan National Assembly declared Persad-Bissessar persona non grata. Now, following Maduro’s ouster in January, the Persad-Bissessar government has launched new efforts to repair the fractured bilateral relationship, with Foreign Minister Sobers recently traveling to Caracas for talks with new Venezuelan interim government officials. It remains unclear whether the persona non grata designation for Persad-Bissessar is still in effect under the new administration. Just days ago, the Trinidadian prime minister publicly stated she holds “love” for Rodriguez and hopes to meet with her in the near future, though no meeting has yet been scheduled.