Trinidad and Tobago has declared a state of emergency in response to a surge in violent crime, particularly homicides, that has plagued the country throughout 2024. Prime Minister Keith Rowley announced emergency powers that will allow police to conduct searches without warrants and detain suspects for up to 48 hours, aiming to combat what he describes as an “unacceptably high level of violent crime,” particularly with regard to gang-related violence involving high-caliber firearms.
This decision follows a weekend where gun violence resulted in multiple fatalities, pushing the nation’s murder count to 623 for the year, marking a record high since police began maintaining such statistics in 2013. The current homicide rate places Trinidad and Tobago among the countries with the highest murder statistics in the Caribbean, alongside Jamaica and Haiti, as reported by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO).
Acting Attorney General Stuart Young highlighted the alarming frequency of homicides, reporting 61 cases so far just in December. Among the incidents was a shooting involving an automatic weapon outside a police station, resulting in one death, and another that claimed five lives the following day in the Port of Spain area. National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds noted that of the 15 gun-related deaths reported since last Monday, several stemmed from gang activity and personal disputes.
The rising visibility of gang-related violence has led officials to describe the recent uptick in killings as an outbreak. To help curb the situation, military personnel will assist police during this period of emergency. Attorney General Young stressed the grave risks posed by the caliber of weapons in use, which threaten lives due to their lethal impact.
The violent crime in Trinidad and Tobago, much of which is linked to gang activity and drug trafficking, has drawn increased scrutiny. As a reflection of these concerns, the US State Department has advised its citizens to reconsider travel to the nation, highlighting the risks associated with crime, terrorism, and kidnapping.
In an effort to address the issue, the Trinidadian government is engaging with US officials to explore solutions to control the influx of high-powered firearms, as a significant number of firearms used in criminal activities are traced back to the US.
This declaration of a state of emergency underscores the urgent need for effective measures to restore safety and security within Trinidad and Tobago, and the collaboration with international partners could potentially pave the way for improved public safety initiatives. While the situation is indeed troubling, the government’s proactive response may provide a hopeful path toward reducing violence and enhancing community safety in the region.