Trinidad and Tobago declares state of emergency – allowing warrantless raids – as murder rate rises

Trinidad and Tobago declared a state of emergency on Monday as the number of murders rises in the twin Caribbean island nation.

The islands – located just off the coast of Venezuela – issued the emergency order after a spate of recent killings and as the government prepares for reprisals following the attempted assassination of a gang leader over the weekend, authorities said.

Under the emergency declaration, the government’s defense forces will now become de facto cops, and both will be allowed to carry out raids without a warrant.

Bail will also be suspended for suspects under the order, officials said.

Those suspected of committing a crime can now also be held for 48 hours without a charge, with the time frame extendable by another seven days with court approval, officials said.

Prime Minister Keith Rowley’s office said the intention behind the move was to “target individuals who pose a threat to public safety, particularly those involved in criminal activity and the illegal use of firearms.”

The statement comes as Trinidad and Tobago, which has a combined population of 1.5 million, is battling a record homicide rate this year and one of the highest homicide rates in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The number of homicides on the islands rose to more than 620 this year alone – with organized crime linked to the majority of murders.

In the latest wave of violence, armed gunmen shot at a known gang leader as he left a police station in the impoverished Laventille area on Saturday, a local outlet reported.

A member of Gangbanger’s crew was killed in the ordeal, according to the outlet.

Meanwhile, in Trinidad, five men were also shot late Sunday near Port of Spain and a 57-year-old woman was shot dead after picking up her son from a hospital in San Fernando on Friday, authorities said.

With Post wires