A rise in murders in Trinidad and Tobago has led to concerns. The President of Trinidad and Tobago Christine Carla Kangaloo issued the declaration of a state of emergency in December 2024 amidst a record murder of more than 620 last year, the highest since 2013. Five men were shot dead in poverty-stricken Laventille of Trinidad and Tobago — which has one of the highest homicide rates in Latin America and the Caribbean — last month. But this is not the only declaration of the state of emergency. A limited state of emergency was also in force in several areas of Trinidad in 2011 amidst a spike in violent crime. However, it remains unclear whether murders will be reduced remarkably.
It is notable that there is a combination of organized gang-based and other reasons for the rise in murders in Trinidad and Tobago. Organized crimes, international drug trade and revenge between rival gangs are crucial reasons. Many mafia-style organized crime groups (including the Evander gang) are present in Trinidad and Tobago and are believed to perpetrate high levels of organized crime which is responsible for the majority of the murders, many of them linked to the international drug trade, which is facilitated by porous borders and direct transportation routes to Europe and North America. Among others, illegal firearms and lax law enforcement facilitate rising murders. The illicit drug trade has accompanied illicit arms shipments and availability, increasing the chance of murders.
Optimistically saying, the government of Trinidad and Tobago has made law enforcement-based and other steps that have led to improvements in many aspects. The implementation of stricter gun control measures, the tough actions of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service against organized gangs and heightened surveillance in high-crime areas in Port of Spain and other cities have helped curb gang crimes and murders at least somewhat. Additionally, the government sometimes takes measures that empower the military to make arrests and allow the authorities to enter the homes of suspects without providing any warrants and deny them bail. Among others, stricter penalties and investment in community programs help address organized crimes and murders.
But because of various flaws in the steps, the outcomes are not as desired in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago often. Notably, there is inadequate funding for law enforcement to fight rising murders, ineffective crime prevention strategies and a lack of community engagement initiatives in the southern Caribbean country. Among others, there is a lack of steps to address the root causes including poverty and make effective trans-border collaboration for the prevention of drug trade and arms shipment, needed to reduce rising murders. Consequently, there is no remarkable change — despite the government’s steps in addressing criminal gangs and rising murders.
Steps are vital to address concerns and challenges. Trinidad and Tobago needs to address criminal gangs more successfully to end or reduce murders. Along with consistent law enforcement, improved intelligence sharing between law enforcement agencies and improved community policing, addressing the root causes including poverty and the lack of income opportunities is vital to address the rising murders. But improved cross-border collaboration with several countries including Venezuela is also vital to successfully address the drug trade and illegal arms shipment and reduce the chance of murders in Trinidad and Tobago.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine