Prime Minister Declares New State of Emergency Amid Surge in Gang Violence
Trinidad and Tobago is once again under a State of Public Emergency after the National Security Council (NSC) advised President Christine Kangaloo to act in response to escalating gang-related violence and intelligence indicating threats against members of the protective services.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced that the State of Emergency officially took effect on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. The decision followed an emergency NSC meeting held at the Diplomatic Centre on Monday.
Although the previous State of Emergency ended in January, officials report a sharp increase in violent crime since then, including several mass shootings believed to be linked to organised criminal gangs.
During the emergency meeting, the NSC received detailed security briefings from Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro, Chief of Defence Staff Don Polo, and Strategic Services Agency head Alicia Henry.
According to the Prime Minister, intelligence agencies identified credible threats aimed at police officers, prison officers, and other personnel within the security and legal services.
Persad-Bissessar stated that she had previously warned criminal groups and recently released detainees that the Government would take firm action if violence persisted. She emphasised that individuals involved in gang activity would be returned to prison, and anyone found assisting them could also face legal consequences.
Defending the decision, the Prime Minister described the measure as part of the Government’s zero-tolerance approach to crime. She pointed to what she characterised as successful joint operations between the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and the Armed Forces over the past ten months, along with legislative reforms intended to strengthen the criminal justice system.
She maintained that the Government remains committed to preventing recent progress in reducing murder rates and violent crime from being undone.
The State of Emergency grants law enforcement expanded powers as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle gang networks and restore public safety nationwide.
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