A state of emergency imposed in Trinidad and Tobago at the end of 2024 due to gang-related violence has been extended to the weekend before Easter.
The three-month extension, encompassing the islands’ annual carnival on March 3-4, was confirmed in updated travel advice from the Foreign. Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
The alert said: “On January 13, 2025, the Trinidad and Tobago authorities extended the nationwide state of emergency for a further three months.
“No curfew has been imposed and there are no restrictions on public gatherings or marches.
“During the state of emergency in Trinidad and Tobago, security forces can search persons and property without a warrant [and] arrest and detain without a warrant.”
Travellers can “expect heightened police and military presence” and were advised to always carry ID and comply with local authorities.
The FCDO pointed to a “high level of violent crime” in Trinidad and warned: “Gang-related attacks and shootings are increasing around the city centre of Port of Spain, including Laventille, Morvant and Barataria.”
It pointed out that violent crime is rare in Tobago although “instances of homicides and armed robberies are rising”.
The FCDO warned that robberies and opportunistic crime may occur during the carnival period.
“If you are attending a large-scale event, such as the carnival celebrations in Trinidad, you should take sensible precautions and always be aware of your surroundings,” the travel advice said
“Avoid displaying jewellery or valuable items that may attract attention of criminals. Do not leave your drinks unattended, practice caution at crowded events and have a clear plan to return home safely after attending any events.”
The Caribbean nation’s prime minister Keith Rowley told the islands’ parliament on Monday: “I know there is some disagreement in the population as to whether there should be a state of emergency.”
However, he defended the policy to counter what he described as “the behaviour of the violent few”.
He added that it was too early to say if the policy had been successful after just 15 days.
The government was spending time “detaining the deadly” to reduce their ability to bring “death and destruction on the innocent and the law-abiding,” Rowley said.
The Tobago Tourism Agency Limited insisted that the island “remains a welcoming destination for travellers” in the wake of the state of emergency declaration on December 30.