Trinidad and Tobago Declare State of Emergency

Gang violence has been a major issue for the Caribbean nations of Trinidad and Tobago.

It has now gotten to the point that both nations have now declared a state of emergency.

The declaration comes after yet another weekend marred by violence.

State of Emergency

Gang violence is an epidemic we are experiencing in the United States, but we are far from alone.

In fact, in some countries, it is the gangs that are running the show, such as Trinidad and Tobago.

It has gotten so bad, and is now so out of control, that these island nations have declared a state of emergency.

National Security Minister Fitzgerald stated, “There is no doubt in my mind that we are dealing with an epidemic.”

Over the weekend, there were several shootings that took place, including what authorities believe are revenge killings.

Acting Attorney General Stuart Young stated, “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.”

These islands have collectively seen 623 homicides in 2024, with gang activity tagged as being responsible for more than 40% of them.

The people of these islands are used to state of emergency declarations.

In recent history, there have been two of them.

In 2011, there was a state of emergency declared in criminal hotspots where crime was running rampant.

In 2021, a state of emergency was declared during the COVID pandemic.