File photo of police officers in riot gear

Summary

• SoE in force: President Christine Kangaloo declared a State of Emergency on Monday on NSC advice.
• No curfew: As with the previous emergency period, no curfew has been announced.
• Why now: NSC cited an increase in violent crime since the last SoE ended on January 31, with much of it linked to organised gangs and reprisal shootings.
• Threat intelligence: Officials reported credible threats against police, prison officers, and other security/legal personnel.
• Government stance: PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar says the move aligns with a zero-tolerance strategy; she also pointed to a 42% murder reduction in 2025, attributing it to the previous SoE and disruption of drug supply routes.

 

By Sue-Ann Wayow

TRINIDAD and Tobago is under another State of Emergency (SoE).

The SoE was declared on Monday by President Christine Kangaloo, acting on the advice of the National Security Council (NSC), and takes effect today (Tuesday, March 3, 2026).

It comes one month after the last extended SoE ended and days after a triple murder in Laventille.

In a media release issued just before 4 am on Tuesday, the Office of the Prime Minister said the NSC met at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s, on Monday and received security briefings from Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro, Chief of Defence Staff Don Polo, and Strategic Services Agency (SSA) head Alicia Henry.

According to the release, the NSC noted that following the end of the previous SoE on January 31, there has been an increase in violent criminal activity across the country, much of it carried out by organised criminal gangs.

The NSC said several incidents resulted in multiple deaths from mass shootings and that continuing reprisal attacks among gangs, if left unchecked, would endanger public safety.

The council was also informed that recently gathered intelligence indicates credible threats to attack police officers, prison officers and other members of the security and legal services.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said she had previously warned criminal gangs and detainees released from prison that “decent law-abiding citizens are fed up,” and that she would have “no hesitation” in having another SoE declared if the violence continued.

“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,” she said. “If criminals want to terrorise law-abiding citizens and their families, I will do everything legally possible to terrorise criminals and those who aid and abet them.”

Persad-Bissessar said the NSC advised the President to declare that a State of Public Emergency exists in Trinidad and Tobago with effect from Tuesday, and the declaration was made on Monday.

She told citizens the measure is consistent with the Government’s “zero-tolerance approach” to crime and gangs, citing operations by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and the armed forces over the past ten months, legislation brought to Parliament, and reforms to the criminal justice system.

She said the Government will continue using all available resources to keep murders down and reduce violent crime.

Persad-Bissessar’s administration first introduced an SoE last July—months after taking office in May—which remained in place until January 31, the legal maximum of six months.

In January, the Government also attempted to pass legislation for Zones of Special Operations (ZOSO) to target areas deemed to have heightened criminal activity, but the measure was defeated in the Senate.

Persad-Bissessar boasted of a reduction of murders by 42% in 2025 when compared to the previous year. Speaking to reporters outside the Red House on Friday, Persad-Bissessar credited the reduction to previous SoE and the US military presence in T&T. She said that because the US was in T&T and the southern Caribbean waters, there was a considerable disruption in the drug supply chain, which she described as a contributing factor to gang-related crime.

Summary of SoE regulations

• Stop and search (public places): Police may stop and search anyone in a street or public place if they reasonably suspect the person has weapons/ammunition/explosives/prohibited items, or is involved in an offence prejudicial to public safety. Suspected illegal items may be seized.
• Seized items: Seized items with no apparent owner may be kept for investigations or court matters, and a magistrate may order forfeiture or other disposal.
• Public safety messaging: It is an offence to try to influence public opinion in a way likely to harm public safety, or to possess items intended to help do so.
• Warrantless searches: Police may, without a warrant (and using force if necessary), enter and search premises, or stop and search vessels, vehicles or individuals (public or not) if they suspect evidence of offences under the regulations will be found; evidence may be seized.
• Arrest and detention: Police may arrest without a warrant anyone suspected of acting (or about to act) in a manner prejudicial to public safety or breaching the regulations. Detention is up to 48 hours, extendable—once authorised—up to seven days for inquiries.
• Searches of women: A female may only be searched by another female.
• Bail restrictions: Bail may be denied for people under a detention order, detained under the regulations, or charged where the court is satisfied they are likely to breach the peace or incite offences. Habeas corpus does not apply to persons denied bail under these provisions.
• Courtroom control: Courts may exclude an accused or others if misconduct makes proceedings impracticable.
• Vehicle compliance: Drivers must stop when required by a uniformed police officer.
• Defence Force assistance: The Defence Force must be ready to assist police when requested; once deployed, members have police powers for these regulations.
• Penalties: Offences under the regulations carry up to $100,000 fine and five years’ imprisonment (on summary conviction).
• Other offences: Evidence of breaches of other laws found during lawful SoE actions can also lead to prosecution under those laws.
• Duration: The regulations apply for the period of the public emergency.

Recent States of Emergency in Trinidad and Tobago:

• December 30, 2024: Declared following a significant spike in gang-related murders and criminal activity. It was subsequently extended by Parliament on January 13, 2025, for an additional three months.
• July 18, 2025: Announced due to intelligence regarding a “highly threatening criminal network” operating both within and outside the nation’s prison system. This SoE was also extended by Parliament for three months on July 28, 2025.
• March 3, 2026:  A response to a spike in gang violence, mass shootings, and credible threats against security and legal personnel.