Trinidad and Tobago has officially declared a state of emergency as gang violence surges in the nation. This urgent measure comes following increasing pressure on the government to address alarming crime rates.
President Christine Carla Kangaloo made the announcement based on recommendations from Prime Minister Keith Rowley. The country, which has a population of 1.5 million, is grappling with one of the highest homicide rates in Latin America and the Caribbean, exceeding 620 murders this year alone.
Organized crime plays a significant role in this escalating violence, with many homicides directly linked to the international drug trade. The nation’s geographical location, sharing borders with Venezuela and having direct routes to Europe and North America, positions it as a critical transit point for narcotics.
In the latest violent outbreak, five individuals were fatally shot in a shop within the impoverished Laventille area. Authorities suspect these killings were retaliation for the murder of a notable gang member the day before.
While specific details regarding the state of emergency are still forthcoming, this declaration occurs as Trinidad and Tobago prepares for a general election, which must take place by August 2025. The ruling People’s National Movement, led by Rowley since 2015, faces increasing competition from the opposition United National Congress, headed by former Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
