State of emergency declared in Trinidad and Tobago due to increased criminal activity

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - Trinidad and Tobago declared a state of emergency on Monday due to increased criminal activity, according to a statement from the office of Prime Minister, Keith Rowley.

The Caribbean country, located off the coast of Venezuela, is experiencing "an increase in criminal activity that endangers public safety," the statement said.

The Ministry of National Security hosted a news conference to give more details on the state of emergency.

Under the measure, police will have the authority to arrest people for 48 hours on suspicion of involvement in crimes and search and enter both public and private premises without a court order.

The US Department of State has said that the deterioration in the country's security situation has occurred because the direct transport routes to Europe and the United States make it "a prime location for narcotics trans-shipment".

The decision comes 12 hours after five men were shot dead in a store in the town of Laventille, in the north of the island of Trinidad on Sunday. Authorities believe the killings were in retaliation for the murder of a prominent gang member.

During December, 61 homicides have been recorded in the country.

Prime Minister Rowley has expressed disappointment after the murder toll in Trinidad and Tobago surpassed 600 for the second consecutive year.

The state of emergency comes as Trinidad and Tobago prepares for a general election that is scheduled for before August 2025. Rowley's ruling party, the National People's Movement, in power since September 2015, faces a strong challenge from the United National Congress opposition, led by former Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.