Trinidad and Tobago has declared a state of emergency following a dramatic surge in homicides, marking 2024 as the deadliest year in its recorded history. With a staggering 623 murders reported, the country's murder rate now ranks among the highest in the Caribbean, alongside Jamaica and Haiti. The Prime Minister announced emergency powers enabling police to conduct searches without warrants and detain suspects for up to 48 hours. This announcement comes as December alone witnessed 61 homicides, underscoring the severity of the crisis.
The nation seeks international assistance to curb the influx of high-powered weapons, many originating from the United States. Discussions are ongoing with the US government to address this critical issue. The US State Department has issued a Level 3 travel advisory for Trinidad and Tobago, advising its citizens to reconsider travel due to crime.
"Exercise increased caution in Trinidad and Tobago due to terrorism and kidnapping." – US State Department
The violence in Trinidad and Tobago is largely attributed to criminal gang activity and narcotics trafficking. The use of high-caliber firearms by gangs has intensified concerns, particularly following recent incidents involving automatic weapons. A shooting outside a police station on Saturday resulted in one fatality, while another incident in Port of Spain left five dead and one injured within 24 hours.
The government's response includes military support to enforce the state of emergency. With a population of approximately 1.5 million, the impact of this violence is profound. The region's violent deaths stand nearly three times above the global average, highlighting an urgent need for action.
"There is very little chance of survival due to the velocity and the caliber of these weapons. This has been a major concern not only for us here in Trinidad and Tobago, but throughout the whole CARICOM region." – Acting Attorney General Stuart Young
Efforts to control the situation include recovering firearms across the Caribbean, with over 7,000 seized between 2018 and 2022, nearly three-quarters sourced from the US. This highlights the critical role of international cooperation in addressing the proliferation of illegal arms contributing to the escalating violence.
