Kamla: Special operations only in UNC-held areas

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says she will restrict the use of special operations under the Government’s new crime-fighting legislation to constituencies and local government electoral districts controlled by the UNC.

In a social media post today, Persad-Bissessar said she would “only authorise special operations” in the 26 UNC-held constituencies, the 70 UNC-held local government electoral districts and two Tobago constituencies, after consultation with Tobago Chief Secretary Farley Augustine.

Her comments came amid continued Opposition criticism of the Special Operations Bill, 2026, which was passed by the House of Representatives on Saturday and is due to go before the Senate. The legislation provides for policing districts and special operations to combat criminality, including police operations with military assistance.