The government of Trinidad and Tobago declared a state of emergency on Monday following a surge in violent crime, with the country’s murder tally for 2024 reaching a record 623. The announcement, made via social and local media platforms, followed a weekend of bloodshed that left several dead across the nation.

Authorities reported that five men were shot dead overnight in a housing estate near the capital, Port of Spain. In a separate incident, a 57-year-old woman was fatally shot on Friday while collecting her teenage son from a hospital in San Fernando.

With a population of just 1.5 million, the unprecedented murder rate has placed the dual-island nation among the most violent countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Police data indicates that nearly 43% of the killings this year are linked to gang activity and organised crime.

Under the emergency measures, police and military personnel have been granted sweeping powers to detain individuals without charge and conduct searches without warrants. Prime Minister Keith Rowley expressed disappointment in the escalating violence and called on law enforcement to use their enhanced authority to make life “uncomfortable” for criminals.

Attorney General Stuart Young defended the measures at a press conference in Port of Spain, citing a recent spate of “brazen acts” by armed gangs. While no curfews have been imposed, Young warned of the likelihood of extensive reprisal attacks that could jeopardise public safety.

“What we are faced with is heightened criminal activity involving high-velocity assault weapons,” Young said. “This is not just about reducing the homicide rate but addressing acts that pose a direct threat to the public.”

Young also acknowledged that crime rates had spiralled during the past decade, despite various government initiatives to tackle the issue.

President Christine Kangaloo issued an official proclamation endorsing the state of emergency, stating: “I am satisfied that a public emergency has arisen as a result of actions taken, or imminently threatened, on a scale likely to endanger public safety.”

This is the first state of emergency declared in Trinidad and Tobago since 2021, when restrictions were imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19. A previous declaration in 2011, which sought to address gang violence, similarly highlighted the government’s ongoing struggle to control organised crime.

The announcement has drawn mixed reactions from residents and civic organisations. While some support the measures as a necessary step to restore order, others question their effectiveness in tackling the underlying causes of crime. Critics argue that long-term solutions require addressing systemic issues such as poverty, unemployment, and corruption, which often fuel gang violence.