SOE declared in Trinidad and Tobago

A state of emergency (SOE) has been declared in Trinidad and Tobago.

The nation’s Prime Minister, Kamla Persard-Bissessar said the security measure follows what she describes, as a surge in violent gang-related crime and credible intelligence of planned attacks on members of the protective services.

In a statement issued last night, Persard-Bissessar said, according to the National Security Council, since the previous SOE ended on January 31, there has been an increase in violent criminal activity across the country, much of it attributed to organised criminal gangs.

She said several of the recent incidents involved mass shootings and multiple fatalities with reprisal attacks threatening to spiral further if left unchecked.

She said the Council was also advised of intelligence indicating credible threats to attack police and prison officers as well as other members of the security and legal forces.