Trinidad and Tobago announces state of emergency to combat gang violence

Officials linked the state of emergency to the proliferation of illegal, high-powered firearms in the Caribbean nation.

The Caribbean republic of Trinidad and Tobago has announced a state of emergency in response to a spike in gang violence over the weekend.

The declaration grants police additional powers as they seek to tamp down on reprisal killings and other gang-related activity.

“The declaration and calling of a public state of emergency is something that is not taken lightly,” said acting Attorney General Stuart Young at a news conference on Monday.

He explained that information from the Trinidad and Tobago police service “dictated and mandated the necessity of this extreme action that we took this morning”.

The state of emergency empowers the country’s police to arrest people “on suspicion of involvement in illegal activities”. It will also allow law enforcement to “search and enter both public and private premises” and suspend bail.