Trinidad and Tobago’s Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander is defending Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s decision to initially concentrate special security operations in constituencies represented by the governing United National Congress (UNC), arguing that the Government should deploy the measures in communities whose representatives support them.
Alexander said he wants the special operations implemented in his own Tunapuna constituency, maintaining that the policy is intended to protect communities from violent crime and criminal elements rather than discriminate against residents based on their political affiliation.
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Under the Government’s current plan, the operations would initially cover 26 UNC-held constituencies and 70 UNC-controlled local-government electoral districts, along with two constituencies in Tobago represented by the Tobago People’s Party. Alexander said the Government should not impose the measures on constituencies whose elected representatives have opposed the legislation in Parliament.
The minister also addressed residents who support the special operations but live in constituencies represented by Opposition MPs. He said those residents should make their views known to their elected representatives, arguing that MPs who oppose the legislation are effectively speaking on behalf of their constituencies.
The policy has drawn criticism from the People’s National Movement (PNM), which has questioned the decision to link the rollout of a national security measure to political representation. Opposition criticism has included claims that the approach is discriminatory, allegations Alexander rejected.
The proposed Special Operations Bill 2026 is intended to provide a legal framework for targeted operations against violent crime, gangs and illegal weapons following the expiration of the state of emergency on September 17. The legislation would allow designated areas facing serious security threats to be temporarily closed, with authorities able to establish cordons, impose curfews and regulate entry and exit. Enhanced powers of search, seizure, arrest and detention would be subject to judicial oversight.
Government ministers have defended the legislation as a measure aimed at protecting law-abiding residents. Defence Minister Wayne Sturge said during parliamentary debate that the bill is intended to target people involved in criminal activity while requiring specially selected officers to receive training in human rights, de-escalation and the appropriate use of force.
The decision to limit the initial rollout to government-controlled areas has nevertheless added a political dimension to the debate over the proposed security framework. While the Government says the policy responds to the positions taken by elected representatives and communities, Opposition critics are questioning whether access to enhanced security measures should vary according to which political party represents an area. The bill’s passage through Parliament and its eventual implementation will determine how the proposed system operates in practice.
