State of emergency declared in Trinidad and Tobago after rise in gang violence

Dec 30, 2024

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Lauren Taylor Anchor

By Lauren Taylor (Anchor), Kalé Carey (Reporter), Zachary Hill (Video Editor)

As the new year approaches, a surge in violent crime is casting a shadow over Trinidad and Tobago, with the nation now facing one of the highest murder rates in the Caribbean. The dual-island country recorded 623 murders as of the week of Dec. 29, a toll exacerbated by a violent weekend.

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Police say the attacks, which involve high-powered weapons, have become so extensive that they now pose a significant threat to public safety.

Among the violence was a gang-related shooting, prompting government officials to declare a state of emergency to curb the violence and prevent further retaliation.

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The criminal gangs via the use of the high-powered assault weapons and other illegal firearms in areas of Trinidad and possibly Tobago are likely to immediately increase their brazen acts of violence in reprisal shootings on a scale so extensive that it threatens persons and will endanger public safety.

Statement by Attorney General Stuart Young

In a statement, the prime minister’s office said the goal of the emergency is to target those involved in criminal activities and the illegal use of firearms.

Nearly half of the murders this year are reportedly linked to gang violence, with officials acknowledging the violence has reached levels comparable to some of the most dangerous countries in Latin America, including Colombia and Mexico.

As part of the state of emergency, police and military forces will flood the streets to intensify efforts to combat gang violence.

Authorities will also have expanded powers under the declaration, including the ability to take individuals into custody without charge and conduct searches without the need for warrants. This includes searches of both private and public properties.

Despite these measures, officials have confirmed that no curfew will be imposed as the country prepares for Carnival, which draws thousands of international tourists each year.

The last state of emergency in Trinidad and Tobago was declared during the COVID-19 pandemic to help slow the spread of the virus.

Tags: Colombia, Crime, Emergency, Gang Violence, Mexico, Murder, organized crime

[Lauren Taylor]

AS THE NEW YEAR APPROACHES, A SURGE IN VIOLENT CRIME CASTS A DARK SHADOW OVER THE CARIBBEAN NATION OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO.

THE DUAL ISLAND NOW GRAPPLING WITH ONE OF THE HIGHEST MURDER RATES IN THE REGION.

THIS COMES ON THE HEELS OF A DEADLY WEEKEND THAT PUSHED THE COUNTRY’S MURDER TOLL TO 623.

ATTACKS OFFICIALS SAY ARE “so extensive that it endangers public safety.” BECAUSE OF THE USE OF HIGH POWERED WEAPONS.

ONE OF THOSE KILLED WAS A GANG LEADER–ENCOURAGING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO CALL A STATE OF EMERGENCY AS THEY BRACE FOR RETALIATION.

THE PRIME MINISTERS OFFICE SAYS THE GOAL IS TO IDENTIFY ANYONE INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES AND THE ILLEGAL USE OF GUNS.

POLICE REPORT NEARLY HALF OF THE ISLAND’S MURDERS ARE GANG-RELATED.

THIS YEAR’S NUMBERS SURPASSING COLOMBIA AND MEXICO…RANKED IN 2023 AS SOME OF LATIN AMERICA’S MOST DANGEROUS COUNTRIES.

GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL SAY POLICE AND MILITARY WILL FLOOD THE STREETS TO RAMP UP THE FIGHT AGAINST GANG VIOLENCE.

THE WIDESPREAD DECLARATION GIVES AUTHORITIES THE ABILITY TO TAKE PEOPLE INTO CUSTODY WITHOUT A CHARGE… AND CONDUCT SEARCHES WITHOUT NEEDING A WARRANT.

HOWEVER, OFFICIALS SAY THERE IS NO CURFEW SET AS THE ISLAND PREPARES FOR TRINIDAD’S CARNIVAL.

A MAJOR ATTRACTION BRINGING IN THOUSANDS OF TOURISTS ACROSS THE GLOBE.

THE LAST STATE OF EMERGENCY WAS DURING THE PANDEMIC TO SLOW THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.

FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M LAUREN TAYLOR