Trinidad and Tobago to reintroduce ZOSO crime bill

Trinidad and Tobago’s government has announced plans to reintroduce the controversial Zones of Special Operations (ZOSO) Bill to Parliament. Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander stated that the government will not extend the current state of emergency, which is set to expire on September 17, 2026, opting instead to pursue the ZOSO legislation as part of its anti-crime strategy.

The ZOSO Bill aims to provide special measures to maintain public order, citizen security, and the rule of law within specific geographical areas. This marks the government’s second attempt to pass the legislation this year. The bill previously passed the House of Representatives in January but failed in the Senate because it could not secure the required three-fifths special majority.

Opposition Leader Penelope Beckles criticized the move, describing the legislation as “failed and compromised.” She argued that the decision to bring back the bill instead of implementing alternative strategies suggests a lack of an effective crime-fighting plan. Beckles also questioned the Prime Minister’s absence from Parliament during the announcement and raised inquiries regarding previous allegations of bribery involving Independent Senators in relation to the bill.