PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP) — Trinidad and Tobago has declared a new state of emergency as authorities unveil accusations against a criminal network operating within the country’s prisons. This network is allegedly involved in plotting to assassinate key government officials and mount attacks on public institutions, prompting concerns about public safety and government stability.
This declaration marks the second state of emergency within a few months. The previous state was declared in December 2022, primarily due to escalating gang violence, which persisted until mid-April 2023. Police have expressed grave concerns about the reemergence of such threats, highlighting the need for urgent action.
According to law enforcement agencies, the criminal organization was able to utilize smuggled cell phones to facilitate encrypted communication among its members. This considerable intelligence operation has led investigators to identify possible targets, including high-ranking police officers, judiciary members, and personnel from the state prosecution office. Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro emphasized that these individuals were in grave danger due to planned assassinations, robberies, and kidnappings.
Guevarro, during a recent press briefing, stated, "They were planning, actively so, to carry out assassinations, robberies, and kidnappings." He went on to characterize those involved as part of "a coordinated and highly dangerous criminal network." The alarming intelligence report led Guevarro to suggest that the newly elected Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar implement the state of emergency, although he noted that there were no imminent threats specifically targeting politicians.
In an effort to curtail the dangers posed by these gangs, authorities have relocated gang leaders from a maximum-security prison situated in eastern Trinidad. This facility has long struggled with issues of illegal possession of communication devices, including cell phones, thus complicating law enforcement efforts. The specific location to which these leaders have been transferred remains undisclosed.
Guevarro further remarked on the recent spate of kidnappings and homicides that have been traced back to this organized crime syndicate. These incidents have raised alarm in a nation with a population of over 1.4 million, which last year reported an astonishing 624 killings—the highest on record. As of mid-July 2023, the police reported 214 killings, reflecting a notable decline compared to the same period in the previous year, when there were 325 homicides.
Under the jurisdiction of the state of emergency, police powers have been significantly enhanced, allowing for warrantless searches and arrests as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle organized crime networks. However, law enforcement has opted against implementing a curfew at this time, despite the precarious security situation.
The swift and decisive measures taken by authorities underscore the challenges that Trinidad and Tobago face regarding organized crime and public safety. The government’s efforts to curb violence and ensure the safety of its citizens will require continued vigilance and strategic action, not only to address immediate threats but also to foster long-term stability in the region.
