“Since the increase in American support to our protective services began last year, we have witnessed a heightened unease and furor among those who have built their wealth and social status by upholding illegality and criminality to benefit their friends, families, and financiers while simultaneously destroying the prosperity and happiness of law-abiding citizens.
They have spread false narratives to stoke hatred between the two major ethnic groups and launched unrelenting attacks on the American government and our protective services through their social media trolls, deranged commentators, race grifters, and the discredited and corrupted Guardian Media Limited.
However, despite the attacks from criminal entities through their agents in the legal fraternity, business community, mainstream and social media to incite hatred against our protective services, the men and women of the police, defence forces, SSA and prison service through great efforts and personal sacrifices managed to bring down serious crimes by 15 percent in 2026.
I am thankful to the brave men and women of our law enforcement and intelligence agencies who daily undertake the difficult responsibilities of protecting our nation and safeguarding our freedoms, often under immense pressure and unfair criticisms. The protective services continue to demonstrate astuteness and diligence in their actions while maintaining the freedoms of all citizens.
On behalf of all law-abiding citizens I express sincere gratitude to COP Allister Guevarro, SSA Director Alicia Henry, CDS Commodore Don Polo, Prison Superintendent Elvin Scanterbury, and all their colleagues and reaffirm our confidence in them, and their shared vision of ending the grip of crime on our nation.
Exterminating the evil local drug mafia which has entrenched itself across all classes of our society is not a job for weak men and women. We are committed to seeing this mission through along with our international partners professionally and fairly.
For too long this country has accepted a tiered justice system in which different rules, conditions, and treatment apply to persons and groups in society based on income levels, ethnicity, where they live, and who they fund.
That time has come to an end. No one’s wealth or social status will put them above the law. Persons from Laventille, Siparia, West Moorings, or any other part of Trinidad and Tobago will face the same application of justice.”