Trinidad and Tobago’s State of Emergency: A Debate
Prime Minister Defends State of Emergency
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC—Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley Monday defended President Christine Kangaloo’s decision to declare a state of emergency (SoE) late last month, even as Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar questioned the timing of the measure to curb criminal activity in Trinidad and Tobago.
Rowley, tabling a motion taking note of President Kangaroo’s statement setting out the specific grounds on which the decision to declare the existence of a state of public emergency was based, said the country is facing “a serious state of continuing violence.”
The Crisis
He told legislators that a “relatively small number of people with great frequency resort to violence” over the years and that “these people have improved their ability to psyche out the country with violent acts.”
On December 30, the President declared the SoE following a gun battle outside a police station in the heart of the capital that left several people dead, and Rowley said those criminals were now able to improve their killing machine and kill more people, despite millions being spent on dealing with crime.
Government’s Response
“The violent criminal element decided if you want that we will show you what we can do,” Rowley said of the criminal’s response to the programs, questioning “what respect do they have for human life.
“Over time, we have seen that this violence is a Trinidad and Tobago societal problem, Rowley said, noting that the society has been under attack “from a criminal element we have not been able to suppress.”
Funding and Corruption
Rowley said that the more funds put into fighting crime, the “more the criminals seem to find ways to carry out their activities,” adding that murder had now become a “commercial, criminal business.”
In his presentation, Rowley said that corrupt law enforcement officials were assisting the criminals. In some instances, police officers closed police stations in rural areas early, turned off the lights, and hoped that the criminals “didn’t come at them.”
Opposition’s Response
In her contribution, Persad Bissessar questioned the rationale behind the SoE, saying it was Prime Minister Rowley’s admission of his failure over the past 10 years to deal with the crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago.
She said that on the eve of his departure as the head of the government, Rowley was already indicating that he would bow out of active politics before the next general elections, constitutionally due by August. He was coming to Parliament to criticise every person while not taking responsibility for his failure.
She said that the primary duty of any government is to keep its citizens safe. However, the Rowley-led administration has not done this, as it has no plans or policies to deal with the escalating crime.
Conclusion
The debate surrounding the state of emergency in Trinidad and Tobago has highlighted the ongoing struggle to combat crime in the country. While Prime Minister Rowley has defended the decision, Opposition Leader Persad Bissessar has questioned the timing and the government’s ability to address the issue. As the country continues to grapple with the crisis, it is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of the measures taken so far and to consider alternative solutions to ensure the safety and security of its citizens.
FAQs
* What is the state of emergency in Trinidad and Tobago?
A state of emergency was declared by the President on December 30, 2025, following a gun battle outside a police station in the capital.
* Why was the state of emergency declared?
The state of emergency was declared to curb criminal activity and to restore order in the country, according to the President’s statement.
* What is the current situation in Trinidad and Tobago?
The country is facing a serious state of continuing violence, with a relatively small number of people committing frequent violent acts.
* What is the government’s response to the crisis?
The government has declared a state of emergency and is working to address the issue, but the Opposition has questioned the timing and the government’s ability to address the issue.
* What is the Opposition’s position on the crisis?
The Opposition has questioned the government’s handling of the crisis, saying that it has failed to address the issue and has no plans or policies to deal with the escalating crime.