Trinidad and Tobago declares state of emergency to arrest crippling crime
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has declared a state of emergency (SoE) following a surge in violent crime, including gang-related killings, that pushed the country’s murder toll in 2024 to 623, the highest since 2013.
The suprise decision was announced on 30 December 2024 by Acting Attorney General Stuart Young and Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds during a press conference in Port of Spain.
The emergency measures grant police and military forces expanded powers to search properties and individuals without warrants, detain suspects for up to 48 hours, and target those involved in gang-related activities. “The SoE is a decision based on information about criminal activity, specifically the use of high-powered and high-calibre weapons,” explained Young.
The murder rate in 2024 has been described as among the highest in the country’s history, with violent crime primarily attributed to gang-related activities and narcotics trafficking. According to Hinds, December alone accounted for 61 homicides, making it the deadliest month of an already violent year.
Recent high-profile incidents include the murder of a state prosecutor on the final day of 2024, a separate shooting outside a police station that claimed one life and a mass shooting in Laventille, which left five dead and one injured.
“There is very little chance of survival due to the velocity and the caliber of these weapons,” Young said, highlighting the growing use of AR-15s, AK-47s, and other high-powered firearms by gangs. He noted that these weapons are increasingly common across the Caribbean, fueling violence in Trinidad and Tobago and other nations in the region.
While the SoE does not impose a curfew or restrict public gatherings, it significantly expands the power of law enforcement to disrupt criminal networks. “People who are found in the company of anyone with these items will also be detained,” Young stated, stressing the government’s focus on tackling illegal firearms.
As of 6 January 2025, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) reported 126 arrests and the removal of 17 firearms during raids conducted under the SoE. Assistant Commissioner of Police Wayne Mystar revealed that among those arrested were eight individuals linked to a major car-theft ring, calling it “a major breakthrough.”
Trinidad and Tobago’s crime surge mirrors broader trends in the Caribbean, where violence is increasingly driven by the flow of illegal firearms from the US. According to the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, 73% of guns recovered from Caribbean crime scenes between 2018 and 2022 originated in the US.
The country’s strategic location off the coast of Venezuela makes it a key trans-shipment point for narcotics trafficking, further exacerbating crime. Minister Hinds referred to the situation as “an epidemic and public health concern,”noting that gang violence has become deeply entrenched in many communities.
Speaking in a telephone interview with the New York Times, Insight Crime researcher Alex Papadovassilakis described Trinidad’s gangs as “small and deeply territorial,” engaging in street-level drug dealing, arms trafficking, and other illicit activities.
The state of emergency comes as Prime Minister Keith Rowley prepares to step down before the end of his current term in August 2025 after 45 years in public office. Rowley announced his resignation last week, revealing that Stuart Young, the current Minister of Energy and Acting Attorney General, has been selected to succeed him. “We are very pleased to announce that the promise of a smooth transition is going according to plan,” said Rowley.
While no date as been set for Young to assume the role of Prime Minister, the transition could coincide with the ongoing implementation of emergency measures, positioning him to play a key role in addressing the nation’s crime crisis. His leadership will be closely scrutinised during one of the most challenging periods in the country’s history ahead of the general election.
The SoE has drawn mixed reactions from the public and business community. While many welcome the government’s decisive action, others express concerns about potential overreach. Kiran Singh, President of the Greater San Fernando Chamber of Commerce, supported the move, saying, “We are in full support of the State of Emergency. It’s high time that something is done about the criminal element.”
However, civil rights advocates and community leaders remain wary. Attillah Springer, who works with at-risk youth in Port of Spain, warned that the measures could disproportionately target young Black men. “Quite a few people who work in these communities believe that what this state of emergency is going to do is kill young Black men, and that’s a frightening aspect,” she said.
Business groups also emphasised the need for balance. “The SoE is an important step but must be part of a broader, comprehensive, and sustainable plan to combat crime effectively,” said the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce in a statement.
As the government seeks to restore public safety, questions remain about the long-term efficacy of the SoE. “Our challenge cannot be curbed through a state of emergency. A state of emergency may be a bandage on a national sore,” cautioned Political analyst Derek Ramsamooj.
For now, the SoE represents a critical moment in Trinidad and Tobago’s fight against violent crime. Its success will depend on whether the government can use this period to implement meaningful reforms and address the root causes of violence.
Source: Caribbean Insight