Trinidad and Tobago Extends State of Emergency Amid Rising Violence

The State of Emergency (SoE) in Trinidad and Tobago has been extended for three months following a parliamentary decision late Monday night. The extension was approved after Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley raised the motion, which was debated by both government members and the opposition.

The SoE, initially declared on December 30, was enacted after the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service provided credible intelligence about the likelihood of reprisal killings following a mass shooting in Laventille that weekend. The original declaration, set for 15 days, required parliamentary approval for any extension.

During the debate, Prime Minister Rowley explained that the SoE did not restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens.

National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds reported significant results from the SoE’s implementation. He noted that the country recorded 12 murders so far in 2025, representing a 50% reduction compared to the same period in 2024.

Hinds also confirmed that 137 individuals remained in custody out of more than 500 detained during SoE operations. He assured citizens that the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force was actively patrolling communities, with plans to increase their presence in the coming days.