According to the US State Department, the country’s proximity to Venezuela, transparent borders and direct transport routes to Europe and North America make it “an excellent destination for drug transportation.”
In the latest violent incident, five men were shot dead in a shop in the impoverished Laventille district on Sunday. Police believe the killing was in retaliation for the killing of a known gang member the previous day.
During the state of emergency, the police will have the right to arrest people on suspicion of involvement in crimes. They will also have the power to “search and enter both public and private premises where necessary”.
The Prime Minister’s Office released a statement saying the intention was to “target individuals who pose a threat to public safety, particularly those involved in criminal activity and the illegal use of firearms.”
However, he added that there are no plans to introduce a curfew.
It is unclear how the state of emergency will affect Trinidad’s world-famous Carnival, which is due to culminate in a massive street parade on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday in early March.
The event is a major tourist attraction, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from abroad, but heightened security could hamper the festivities.
The move comes as Trinidad and Tobago prepares for a general election due to be held by August 2025.
Rowley’s ruling People’s National Movement party, in power since September 2015, faces a strong challenge from the opposition United National Congress, led by former prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
