State of Emergency declared in Trinidad and Tobago

The government of Trinidad and Tobago has today, December 30, declared a State of Emergency (SOE).

A statement was issued this morning via the Office of the Prime Minister’s Communications Division, stating:

“Pursuant to section 8 of the Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo, ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Commander-in-Chief, has, on the advice of Dr the Honourable Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, declared a state of public emergency being satisfied that the circumstances of section 8(2)(c) of the Constitution exist.

“The circumstances warranting the declaration of the public emergency are based on the advice of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service to the National Security Council of heightened criminal activity which endangers the public safety.”

A media briefing to outline the specifics of the SOE was held this morning and led by Acting Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Stuart Young and Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds.

Minister Young explained that the decision to implement the SOE was taken by the National Security Council around midnight on Monday December 30, following two incidents. The first was the shooting death of a male which occurred outside the Besson Street Police Station on Saturday, December 28 which was followed by an apparent reprisal killing at Prizgar Lands, Laventille on Sunday December 29 where five people were killed by masked gunman and others injured.

Young said information provided to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) warned that additional gang reprisal attacks were going to occur involving the use of high-caliber weapons and place public safety under threat.

Below are the key takeaways from the briefing:

• No curfew will be implemented.
• The SOE is intended to address individuals who pose a threat to public safety, particularly those involved in criminal activities and the illegal use of firearms.
• Public meetings and marches will not be restricted under these regulations.
• The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) will have the authority to arrest individuals on suspicion of involvement in illegal activities.
• The TTPS will have the power to search and enter both public and private premises as necessary.
• Bail provisions will be suspended under the regulations enacted during the SOE.
• Members of the Defence Force will operate under similar regulations to the TTPS, supporting law enforcement efforts during the SOE.

The timeline for the SOE in the first instance, will be brought before the Parliament within the next 15 days. Once it is approved and ratified, the SOE will last for three months with no further extension. While a further extension may be sought, the total duration cannot exceed six months. The SOE is expected to be monitored on a daily basis.