Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar Attacks Independent Senators After Special Operations Bill Vote

Senate President Wade Mark used his casting vote to pass the Special Operations Bill, 2026, after a 15-15 tie in the Senate, sparking debate in Trinidad and Tobago over parliamentary convention and constitutional authority. Professor Hamid Ghany said there is no settled local practice for casting votes, and the decision may shape how future tied votes are handled.

The PNM says it will repeal four Government bills — on municipal corporations, special operations, alcohol/cannabis/drugs/gambling/tobacco, and public procurement — if it returns to office after the next election. Party leaders, including Penelope Beckles, Sanjiv Boodhu, Kareem Marcelle and Faris Al-Rawi, called the measures oppressive and unconstitutional, saying they could affect local elections, police oversight and public spending.

Regional security expert Dr Garvin Heerah said any permit system under the new Special Operations law will only work if it is intelligence-led, tightly verified and administered professionally, not arbitrarily. Former police commissioner Gary Griffith said a similar system worked during the COVID-19 lockdown and could support targeted security operations, if permits are properly vetted.

The Special Operations Act has been amended to match new municipal boundaries proposed in the Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which passed the Lower House 27-0 against opposition votes. Four districts were redrawn to align with the planned borough and corporation changes, affecting areas including Port of Spain, Arima, Sangre Grande and Chaguanas.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the new Special Operations law will bring “hard policing” to areas where it is implemented, and said UNC-controlled communities will definitely be included. The legislation creates seven policing districts with expanded law-enforcement powers, as the Government moves ahead despite resistance from Independent senators.

Parliament passed a late government amendment to the Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bill, 2026, updating the Special Operations Act to match planned local government changes, including four new districts tied to boroughs and municipal regions. The Opposition accused the Government of slipping in the measure without proper notice and voted against it.

A woman who spent six months detained without charge during the State of Emergency says new Special Operations laws could allow the same thing again, after reading provisions for arrest and extended detention in declared closed areas. Some Tunapuna residents welcomed tougher action against crime, but others warned that lockdowns could hurt working people and small businesses.

With the Special Operations Act now in force, Opposition Leader Penelope Beckles says the Government has not properly explained how it will work and still lacks a clear plan to reduce crime. She pointed to concerns about closed areas, permits and warrantless searches, while Home Affairs Minister Roger Alexander declined to say how the system will be rolled out.

Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro said the TTPS has identified areas for intensified operations under the Special Operations Act, but he would not name the communities to avoid alerting suspects. The new law allows “closed areas” with curfews, checkpoints and warrantless searches, while the police service also plans to expand micro police units based on crime data and needs budget support.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says heads of special operations will be appointed soon as the government prepares to use the new Special Operations law with “hard policing measures” in selected districts. She said UNC-controlled areas will definitely be targeted, while suggesting PNM-controlled communities may be left out, but gave no details on permits or movement between closed and open areas.

Parliament last night added new district boundaries from the Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bill, 2026 into the Special Operations Act, aligning the security law with planned local government changes, including four new districts and boroughs. The move passed 27–12, but Opposition MPs condemned it as a rushed revival of ZOSO-style powers.

The Communication Workers’ Union has condemned Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s attack on independent senators after they helped defeat the Special Operations Bill, saying it could signal retaliation against dissent. CWU secretary general Joanne Ogeer warned that dismissing future contributions from the independent bench would weaken scrutiny of executive power and send a troubling message to other institutions.

Opposition Leader Penelope Beckles accused the Government of rushing major bills on alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, gambling, procurement and special operations, giving the PNM less than 48 hours to review them. She said laws with wide impact, especially on young people and Carnival, need proper consultation and Senate scrutiny. Beckles warned the Government was acting arrogantly and ignoring checks and balances.

Opposition Leader Penelope Beckles accused the Government of rushing major bills on alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, gambling, procurement and special operations without enough consultation, saying the Opposition got less than 48 hours to prepare. She warned the changes could affect young people, Carnival and key industries, and argued the Senate’s independent senators must provide proper scrutiny.

Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles said the Opposition will write to President Christine Kangaloo over what she called the Government’s attack on Independent senators and questioned whether parliamentary practice is being ignored. She also criticised the use of the Senate president’s vote to pass two 2026 bills and said the Government gives the Opposition too little time to review important legislation.

Independent Senator Anthony Vieira says Senate President Wade Mark likely had the constitutional power to cast deciding votes on two tied Senate bills, but whether using that power to pass the laws followed Westminster convention is still debatable. The dispute raises questions about the difference between written legal authority and long-standing parliamentary practice in Trinidad and Tobago.

Opposition Leader Penelope Beckles said she will write to President Christine Kangaloo after Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar called the nine Independent Senators “satanic” for rejecting the Special Operations Bill. Beckles said the remarks and refusal to accept their amendments show contempt for checks and balances and a worrying disregard for consultation on major laws.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar brushed off criticism of Senate President Wade Mark’s casting vote on the procurement bill, saying the government will find another way if future legislation fails and will not accept amendments from Independent senators. She said the bill will open more government contracts to small businesses, the budget date will be announced this week, and 18-year-olds can still work in bars and gambling venues under the proposed age changes.

Works and Infrastructure Minister Jearlean John defended Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s criticism of Independent Senators after they refused to back the Special Operations Bill, accusing the Law Association of Trinidad and Tobago of trying to curb free speech. The Law Association said the Senate’s independent bench has a constitutional role and governments should consider outside views, underscoring a wider debate over parliamentary scrutiny and political expression.