Several Government Ministers have voiced full support for the recently imposed State of Emergency in Trinidad and Tobago.
Through various media statements, they commended Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for taking decisive action to safeguard the nation amid escalating crime.
Minister of Land and Legal Affairs and Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Saddam Hosein, in his statement, said declaring a State of Emergency is not a decision that was taken lightly and the government will continue doing the serious work required to keep T&T safe.
He also criticised those he said are playing politics with national security.
“The objections raised by the Opposition are manifestly hypocritical and baseless. Statements have been made by the leader of the Opposition condemning certain provisions contained in the current State of Emergency regulations as being contrary to democracy and indicative of a dictatorship. Upon further investigation, the same provisions that the Opposition leader takes such affront to were in fact identical to the provisions contained in the State of Emergency Regulations 2024, which were enacted under the previous PNM administration.”
The Minister of Energy and Energy Industries, Dr. Roodal Moonilal, stated that citizens must always remain the foremost priority of any responsible government as he noted that in recent times, escalating criminal activity and threats to public order have created deep concern within our communities.
“In moments of national challenge, leadership requires courage, clarity and commitment to the greater good; all attributes clearly demonstrated by our Prime Minister. She held high-level discussions with national security officials to carefully assess the gravity of the ongoing criminal gang activities, threats to security officers and undermining of the rule of law. These discussions underscore the Government’s measured, strategic, and responsible approach in responding to matters of national importance. Her actions signals to criminals that lawlessness will not be tolerated and reassures citizens that when criminal elements threaten national stability, disrupt communities, and endanger innocent lives, decisive action becomes not just necessary, but urgent.”
Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr. Lackram Bodoe emphasised that the SOE forms part of the Government’s broader zero-tolerance approach to crime, which includes strengthened legislation, increased operational capacity for the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and Defence Force, and ongoing reforms within the criminal justice system.
“The Government has already taken meaningful steps to reduce the murder rate and curb violent crime over the past ten months. These gains must be protected. Law-abiding citizens deserve to live without fear. I stand firmly with the Prime Minister and the Government in this effort to defend our people, protect our institutions, and ensure that criminals and those who aid and abet them are brought to justice.”
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Culture and Community Development, Dr. Narindra Roopnarine, noted that the Prime Minister reaffirmed that there is “no sleeping at the wheel,” “no political interference,” and “decisive action on all fronts, including the State of Emergency, to eliminate threats and prevent Trinidad and Tobago from returning to the killing fields” of the past.
He said, “At this critical juncture, strong, principled leadership is essential. The Honourable Prime Minister has demonstrated clarity, resolve, and an unshakeable commitment to defending law-abiding citizens. Her leadership sends a clear message that Trinidad and Tobago will not surrender to criminality and that the rule of law will prevail.”