Port Of Spain, Dec 31: – Trinidad and Tobago has declared a state of emergency in response to a surge in gang violence, with more than 620 murders reported this year, marking one of the highest homicide rates in the Caribbean and Latin America.
President Christine Carla Kangaloo issued the declaration on the advice of Prime Minister Keith Rowley, who has faced increasing pressure from both domestic and international sources to take stronger action amid the worsening crime crisis.
“The decision to declare a state of emergency was made to ensure public safety and security as we confront the growing threats posed by organized criminal groups,” Rowley said in a statement.
The country, with a population of approximately 1.5 million, is grappling with a wave of violence largely attributed to organized crime syndicates. Many of these groups are linked to the international drug trade, with the country’s location near Venezuela, porous borders, and established transportation routes to Europe and North America making it a prime transit point for narcotics, according to the U.S. State Department.
A recent violent incident in the Laventille area, a poverty-stricken neighborhood in Port of Spain, underscored the escalating violence. Five men were shot dead at a local shop on Sunday, a reprisal believed to be in retaliation for the previous day’s murder of a prominent gang member.
Under the emergency measures, police will be granted broader powers, including the authority to arrest individuals on suspicion of criminal involvement and to search both public and private properties without a warrant. The government said the aim is to target those who pose a direct threat to public safety, particularly individuals involved in organized crime and illegal firearm use.
Despite these expanded powers, the government has ruled out imposing a curfew, which would have further strained daily life. It remains uncertain whether the state of emergency will affect the upcoming Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, one of the largest and most famous cultural events in the region, which attracts tens of thousands of tourists each year. The Carnival, set for February, could face disruptions due to the enhanced security measures.
The declaration comes at a politically charged time for Rowley’s administration, which faces a strong challenge from the opposition United National Congress (UNC) in upcoming general elections, due by August 2025. Former Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar leads the UNC and has been critical of the government’s handling of the nation’s crime issues.
As the state of emergency takes effect, many will be watching closely to see whether it can bring an end to the rising violence or if the situation will worsen in the lead-up to the elections.
