By Ryan T. Elliott                                                                                                        Impunity Watch Reporter, North America/Oceania

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad–Over the years, Trinidad has earned a reputation as one of the most prosperous countries in the Caribbean due to its large petroleum and natural gas production, international business investment, and growth rate per capita.   But, as of late, Trinidad is making headlines not for its economic prosperity, but as a country trying to deal with a dramatic increase in violent crime.  Trinidadian Prime Minister Kamla Perad-Bissessar has declared a state of emergency due to the country’s extensive crime wave.

In a formal statement reported by the Trinidad Express, Prime Minister Perad-Bissessar declared that “The entire nation has been rocked with the recent tragic news of the spate of murders over the past few days.  The situation has reached proportions which the government must respond to in the most definitive manner possible.”  Accordingly, a strict 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew has been imposed, which started on August 21st in Port of Spain and includes major towns and cities.  The emergency grants special powers to the police and army, including making searches and issuing arrests.  5,000 military members will be assisting in the implementation of the curfew.

The previous minister refused to declare a state of emergency due to rising violent crime because he believed that it might worry investors and hurt the growing economy.  However, last year the murder rate was 36 per 100,000.  For a country of only 1.3 million people, that rate is substantially higher than other countries.  It is nearly seven times the rate of murders experienced in the United States, for example.  Due to the recent swell in violent crime, Trinidad is expected to have an increase in its murder rate from the previous year.

Many recognize Trinidad as a transshipment point for South American drugs headed to the U.S. and Europe. Authorities advised Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar that Trinidad’s increase in murders was due, in part, to the discovery of large drug hauls including one seizure of cocaine valued in excess of twenty million dollars. When that amount of money disappears from the drug trade, it does not happen without consequences.

Trinidad may be imitating Jamaica’s response to gang violence.  In May of 2010, Jamaica was forced to impose a similar state of emergency for nearly two months.  As a result, the government of Jamaica detained a number of criminals, reducing the murder rate by more than 40%.  While the success of Trinidad’s measures remains to be seen, the assertive measures have already achieved some impressive and promising results.  According to a telephone interview with the New York Times, foreign minister, Surujrattan Rambachan stated that killings stemming from the drug trade have slowed dramatically and enabled authorities to arrest 58 gang leaders.

Residents of Trinidad are supportive of the measures; however, some remain skeptical because of the limitations being placed on their rights and liberties.  While the government of Trinidad and Tobago insists that this aggressive strategy is necessary in order to prevent the nation from being held ransom by gang violence, the Prime Minister is “confident that they will recognise and appreciate the need to protect them and bring the current crime surge affecting them under control.”

For more information please visit:

Taking on the gangs — August 27, 2011

Trinidad and Tobago Declares Emergency Over Drug Crimes — August 24, 2011

State of emergency an inevitable response — August 22, 2011

Breaking News: State of Emergency Declared — August 21, 2011