PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, December 30th, 2024—The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has declared a State of Emergency (SoE) in response to escalating violent crime and the looming threat of gang reprisal activity.

This follows the massacre of five men in Laventille on Sunday night, the latest in a string of deadly gang-related incidents across the East-West Corridor.

In an official statement issued Monday morning, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley advised President Christine Kangaloo to enact the emergency under Section 8 of the Constitution, citing the need to safeguard public safety amid increasing criminal threats.

The SoE grants sweeping powers to law enforcement, including the authority to stop and search individuals and vehicles, arrest suspects without a warrant, and detain them for up to 48 hours. Individuals arrested under these provisions will not have access to bail.

The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) will support the police, empowering members to act as police officers during an emergency.

While no curfew exists, the government has imposed restrictions on public gatherings, marches, and meetings, emphasizing that the SoE specifically targets criminal elements.

The unprecedented crime wave has claimed at least 620 lives this year, with the use of high-tech illegal weapons exacerbating gang violence. Authorities believe recent attacks signal escalating gang reprisals, heightening public fear.

This is the first State of Emergency since 2021 declared to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. A previous SoE in 2014 sought to address a persistent crime wave but failed to stem the violence long-term.