标签： Trinidad and Tobago

Prominent attorney Vanna Jankiepersad has issued a scathing critique of Trinidad and Tobago’s proposed Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) Bill, 2026, revealing fundamental weaknesses in both legislative technique and operational practicality.

The legislation, designed to establish special security and community development measures in designated areas, faces criticism for its poor drafting quality and failure to integrate with existing legal frameworks. Legal analysis indicates that numerous provisions merely reiterate established police procedures already codified in Police Standing Orders, rather than introducing substantive new regulations.

A striking example emerges in Clause 16(2)(c), which mandates that female individuals must be searched exclusively by female officers. This requirement represents standard operational protocol rather than novel legislation, raising questions about the Executive’s approach to legislating internal police practices.

The proposed bill follows the recent discontinuation of the state of emergency regime, which was marred by widespread allegations of police misconduct and unlawful detentions. Legal experts highlight the government’s failure to address critical accountability questions from the previous emergency period, including the number of preventive detentions, subsequent charges, and potential state liability for wrongful imprisonment claims.

The case of businessman Danny Guerra illustrates these concerns vividly. Detained under a preventive order in November 2025, Guerra remained incarcerated for nearly six weeks without evidence satisfying statutory prerequisites before his January release. This case, along with Justice Frank Seepersad’s recent admonition for legislation holding officers personally accountable for authority abuses, underscores the systemic accountability deficit.

Legal analysis concludes that legislative amendments cannot compensate for inadequate police training or weak accountability mechanisms. The effectiveness and constitutional validity of the ZOSOs Bill depend on incorporating legal precision, operational safeguards, and genuine institutional accountability—moving beyond mere legislative symbolism toward substantive reform.

The Trinidad and Tobago Senate remains gridlocked after three days of intense deliberation on the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Bill, 2026. The proposed legislation, already approved by the House of Representatives on January 16, has sparked contentious debate among government, opposition, and independent senators, revealing deep ideological divisions regarding national security approaches.

The bill would empower Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, as National Security Council chair, to designate specific high-crime areas as Zones of Special Operations (ZOSOs) for up to 180 days, in consultation with police and military leadership. However, the legislation requires a three-fifths majority (19 votes) for passage, presenting a significant challenge for the government which holds only 15 of the Senate’s 30 seats.

Debate turned particularly heated when Government Senator David Nakhid accused the opposition PNM party of racially targeting black communities, claiming they view black citizens merely as “a vote bank.” The comments prompted temporary Opposition Senator Taharqa Obika to formally complain to Senate President Wade Mark, resulting in a warning issued to Nakhid.

The absence of Attorney General John Jeremie during critical debate sessions raised questions, though Government Business Leader Barry Padarath clarified Jeremie was representing Trinidad and Tobago at an official meeting in Barbados. Daniel Rasheeed was temporarily appointed to fill Jeremie’s Senate position during his absence.

Independent Senators emerged as pivotal voices in the debate, with Candice Jones-Simmons emphasizing that “scrutiny must never be sacrificed for expediency” while Anthony Vieira, SC, defended the independent senators’ role to “ask uncomfortable questions” when legislation expands state powers. Meanwhile, Labour Minister Leroy Baptiste appealed for collaborative action, arguing that murder rates among young black men have become normalized and require immediate intervention.

Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar previously criticized independent senators and opponents of the bill, accusing them of defending “violent criminals” and displaying “fake sense of humanity.” Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles condemned these remarks as “divisive and reckless tirade” intended to bully dissenters into silence.

The Senate will resume consideration of the controversial bill on January 27, with the nation awaiting whether compromises can be reached on legislation that balances security concerns with constitutional protections and community rights.

The Trinidad and Tobago House of Representatives witnessed a tumultuous session during Private Members’ Day on January 23, with opposition and government members engaging in fierce exchanges over mass terminations and their socioeconomic consequences.

Laventille West MP Kareem Marcelle introduced a resolution highlighting the severe impact of widespread contract non-renewals across public bodies and state agencies. The motion emphasized that vulnerable communities—including single mothers, female-headed households, youth, the elderly, and persons with disabilities—are experiencing disproportionate effects, leading to increased food insecurity, school absenteeism, mental health challenges, and social exclusion risks.

Marcelle accused the governing United National Congress (UNC) of administering through ‘fear, evil, hate, and intimidation,’ claiming that post-election policies have targeted citizens who previously applied for positions between 2015-2025. He referenced the tragic case of Richard Cooper, who was found unresponsive after being laid off, as emblematic of the human cost of these actions.

Government members repeatedly challenged the relevance of Marcelle’s statements, with Speaker Jagdeo Singh cautioning against hyperbolic rhetoric. The opposition maintained that the terminations represent an unjust ‘war against the most vulnerable.’

Couva South MP Barry Padarath countered that the motion rested on false premises, asserting that the previous People’s National Movement (PNM) administration had left a legacy of ‘debt and destruction.’ He defended the government’s actions as necessary to eliminate ‘improper, unsustainable, unlawful practices’ including ghost rentals, leases, and Cabinet notes from the previous decade.

St Ann’s East MP Dr. Nyan Gadsby-Dolly delivered an emotional address, comparing the current economic crisis to the 1980s era that produced ‘barrel children.’ She highlighted that over 40,000 terminations—affecting more than 20,000 vulnerable women with school-aged children—have created an education emergency with approximately 40,000 children at risk of dropping out. She criticized the government’s inadequate response compared to COVID-19 relief measures.

La Brea MP Clyde Elder accused the opposition of hypocrisy, recalling PNM-era closures of Petrotrin, GHRS, and the Tourism Development Company. He presented data showing significant declines in social programs under the previous administration, including dramatic reductions in GATE recipients (from 59,605 to 15,491), HYPE participants (771 to 264), and HELP loans (2,023 to 612).

The session concluded without resolution, adjourning to a future date as both sides remained deeply divided on addressing the nation’s growing socioeconomic challenges.

The Trinidadian government’s recent announcement of a renewed registration process for Venezuelan migrants has raised questions about its broader integration strategy beyond mere documentation. Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander revealed on January 22 that migrants would be required to pay a $700 fee to register under the program, which aims to regularize undocumented individuals through the Migrant Registration Framework from January 1 to September 30, 2026.

While the initiative promises legal residency and work rights, concerns have emerged regarding its narrow focus on Venezuelan nationals and its apparent prioritization of security concerns over integration planning. The registration process will utilize sports venues across Trinidad alongside online platforms, followed by in-person interviews. Notably absent were details regarding non-Venezuelan immigrants within the country.

Minister Alexander emphasized the security dimensions of the exercise, stating it would help authorities identify individuals “involved in crime and other types of activities” and facilitate investigations. This security-focused approach appears connected to longstanding concerns about drug trafficking from South America, even prior to recent US-Venezuelan tensions.

The policy carries significant implications for migrants, with deportation threatened for those failing to register. This threat exists despite current difficulties in executing deportations due to diplomatic tensions between Trinidad and Venezuela. These strains have been exacerbated by opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s support for US narco-trafficking rhetoric and subsequent diplomatic exchanges between Caracas and Port of Spain.

Critical questions remain unanswered regarding the long-term vision for migrant integration. Concerns include educational access for migrant children, formalization of employment opportunities, and potential pathways to residency. Particularly noteworthy is the situation of skilled professionals like engineers and medical practitioners currently working in factories whose potential contributions remain underutilized.

When questioned about tax obligations for registered migrants, Minister Alexander deferred, stating the immediate focus remains on registration. The government has yet to clarify whether this initiative might evolve toward residency status consideration or address complex issues involving children born to Trinidadian nationals or binational marriages.

The absence of a comprehensive integration framework leaves uncertainty about how migrants will contribute to Trinidad’s workforce, economy, and social fabric beyond the registration period.