Trinidad y tobago
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has declared a nationwide State of Emergency (SoE), effective Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in response to a surge in violent crime and gang-related activity.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad ... announced the measure following a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) at the Diplomatic Centre on March 2, 2026. The NSC received briefings from Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro, Chief of Defence Staff Don Polo, and Head of the Strategic Services Agency Alicia Henry.
According to the Prime Minister, the decision was prompted by a sharp rise in violent incidents since the end of the previous SoE on January 31, 2026. Intelligence reports revealed credible threats against police officers, prison officers, and members of the legal and security services.
“The NSC noted that, following the end of the previous state of emergency on January 31st, 2026, there has been an increase in violent criminal activity across the country, most of which has been carried out by members of organized criminal gangs,” the statement read.
The Prime Minister warned that unchecked reprisal shootings among gangs posed a grave risk to public safety.
She reiterated her earlier warnings to criminal elements: “I had previously warned the criminal gangs and detainees released from prison that decent law-abiding citizens are fed up with their criminality, and if they cannot behave themselves, I would have no hesitation in having another SoE declared. I also indicated that violent gang members would be returned straight to prison, and this time, their friends and family who aid their criminality would accompany them.”
The government underscored its zero-tolerance approach to crime, citing recent successes by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and Armed Forces.
“Your government will continue to utilize all available resources to ensure that the gains we have achieved in significantly reducing the murder rates and the incidents of violent crime against citizens are not reversed and overturned by those who are determined to inflict death, hardship and torment upon our people,” the official statement declared.
While the SoE took effect on March 3, 2026, the government has not yet specified its duration. Under Trinidad and Tobago law, a State of Emergency typically requires parliamentary approval for extensions beyond 15 days. Officials have indicated that the length of the measure will depend on evolving security conditions.
The declaration has been confirmed by official government releases and reported across Trinidad and Tobago’s major news outlets. The timeline aligns with the conclusion of the January 2026 SoE, as noted in regional and international advisories.
This developing story will continue to be updated as further details on the scope and duration of the State of Emergency are released by the Trinidadian government.
