Crime
Trinidad and Tobago declares state of emergency as murders rate skyrockets
Much of the island’s current plight has been caused by organized crime connected to the transnational drug trade
January 2, 2025 9:43am
Updated: January 2, 2025 9:43am
The southern Caribbean island nation of Trinidad and Tobago have declared a state of emergency amid rising gang violence, according a U.S. State Department travel warning.
President Christine Carla Kangaloo issued the declaration after receiving advice from Prime Minister Keith Rowley, who has been under increasing pressure to take action.
The declaration comes as the twin-island republic prepares for a general election, which must be held by August 2025.
Rowley's governing People's National Movement Party is facing a challenge from former Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and the opposition United National Congress.
Trinidad and Tobago has one of the highest murder rates in the Caribbean and Latin America, boasting a record number of more than 620 murders in 2024 amid a small population of only 1.5 million.
Much of the island’s current plight has been caused by organized crime connected to the transnational drug trade.
Located off the coastline of Venezuela, the twin island republic is amid shipping routes to Europe and North America that make it “a prime location for narcotics trans-shipment,” according to the U.S. State Department.
Five men were shot dead in Laventille on Sunday. Island law enforcement officials suspect the murders were revenge killings for a separate killing of a high level gang member that occurred on Saturday.
The new state of emergency, however, will empower police to “search and enter both public and private premises as necessary” and arrest anyone suspected of participating in related criminal activity.
Rowley’s office released a statement saying the declaration was designed to “address individuals who pose a threat to public safety, particularly those involved in criminal activities and the illegal use of firearms.”
It also said the government does not intend to impose a curfew.
For the moment, it is unclear how the state of emergency will impact the upcoming Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, which is set to have a huge street parade before Ash Wednesday in early March.
“The event is a major tourist attraction which brings in tens of thousands of visitors from overseas, but heightened security measures could put a damper on the festivities,” according to a recent BBC report.
