State of Emergency Declared in Trinidad and Tobago Amid Escalating Crime Crisis

Trinidad and Tobago, a small twin-island nation in the Caribbean, declared a State of Emergency (SOE) on Monday in response to a sharp rise in criminal activity, particularly homicides, over the past week. The unprecedented escalation in violent crime has pushed the government to adopt extraordinary measures to restore public safety and address the deep-rooted issues fueling this crisis.

Rising Crime and Shocking Statistics

In the week leading up to December 29th, Trinidad and Tobago recorded a staggering 61 murders, contributing to an annual homicide count of 623—an alarming increase from 577 homicides in 2023 and 599 in 2022. The nation, which spans just 294 square kilometers—40% of the size of Ahmedabad city in India—has a population of approximately 1.5 million, resulting in a population density of 294 persons per square kilometer.

Despite its small size, the islands are plagued by over 186 active gangs with an estimated 1,750 gang members.

The gang ecosystem has evolved significantly over the years. Previously dominated by larger groups such as Jamaat-E-Muslimeen and Rastafarian gangs, gang activity has fragmented into smaller, more unpredictable factions. Prominent gangs operating today include Tyson, Muslim, Rasta City, EBG (Everybody Gets It), SIXX (6), Seven, Boombay Gang, ‘Police’, Bat, Ztekk, and Big Fish. They operate in highly territorial zones such as Ninth Street, St. Paul, Maloney, and La Horquett.

Root Causes of the Crisis

The islands’ strategic geographic location makes them a critical transit point for various illicit activities across the Caribbean Sea. Sophisticated arms smuggling from the USA, Canada, and Europe, drug trafficking, wildlife smuggling, fuel smuggling, and human trafficking are rampant. Local gangs have also expanded into other lucrative illegal businesses, including extortion, kidnapping, and the collection of protection money from businesses. Alarmingly, some larger gangs have taken on quasi-governmental roles by providing services such as healthcare, education, and financial aid.

Adding to the complexity is the influx of gang members from neighboring Venezuela, where political and economic crises have forced criminals to seek refuge and opportunities elsewhere, including Trinidad and Tobago.

Government's Response: State of Emergency Declared

In an official statement, Prime Minister Keith Rowley emphasized that the declaration of the SOE was based on advice from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and the National Security Council. "The circumstances warranting the declaration of the public emergency are based on heightened criminal activity which endangers public safety," Rowley stated.