Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has defended the decision to impose a state of emergency (SoE) in Trinidad and Tobago, citing the need to balance the rights of citizens with the need to protect the country from the “dangerous excesses” of a lawless few. The SoE was declared on Monday due to the threat to national security posed by reprisal killings and the use of high-powered weapons by criminals.
Acting Attorney General, Stuart Young, explained that the decision was made based on information provided by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), with certain elements that could not be divulged. Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher reported that the measure has already yielded positive results, with at least 46 people being detained since its implementation.
Rowley emphasized that the SoE is aimed at addressing the rising crime situation, which has seen over 625 citizens murdered, and countless others suffering financial losses and destruction. He urged citizens to imagine how intolerable life would be without the virtue of hope, acknowledging that fear and hope reside within the human spirit and can be misplaced or overcome.
In his New Year’s message, Rowley expressed hope that citizens will enter 2025 “energized, with clearer insights and more open to new perspectives on the challenges that face our nation.” He called on citizens to consider the existence of the SoE and its purpose in addressing the rising crime situation, stating that the state must act decisively to restore balance between the fundamental rights of all citizens and the protection from the dangerous excesses of a lawless few.
Rowley also spoke about the country’s economic performance, noting that Trinidad and Tobago has recorded its third consecutive year of real gross domestic product (GDP) growth, with a 2.3% estimated growth rate for 2025. He highlighted the country’s non-energy sector as a key driver of economic growth and its low inflation rate, which measured 0.2% in October 2024.
In his address, Rowley emphasized the importance of hope, urging citizens to ask themselves questions such as “How should I live my life?”, “What values shall I live by?”, and “What sort of person should I be?” He encouraged daily reflection on these questions and acknowledged that the challenges faced by the country must be addressed collectively, particularly the rising crime situation.
Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar also addressed the nation, describing 2024 as “one of the most difficult and challenging years for Trinidad and Tobago” due to the unprecedented crime and violence wave that has plunged the nation into a state of darkness and despair.
Conclusion:
The state of emergency in Trinidad and Tobago aims to address the rising crime situation and restore balance between the rights of citizens and the protection from criminal elements. The Prime Minister has urged citizens to consider the existence of the SoE and its purpose in addressing the challenges faced by the nation.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What is the purpose of the state of emergency in Trinidad and Tobago?
The SoE is aimed at addressing the rising crime situation and restoring balance between the rights of citizens and the protection from criminal elements. - What is the current state of the economy in Trinidad and Tobago?
The country has recorded its third consecutive year of real GDP growth, with a 2.3% estimated growth rate for 2025, driven by the non-energy sector. - What is the current state of crime in Trinidad and Tobago?
The country has experienced an unprecedented crime and violence wave, with over 625 citizens murdered and countless others suffering financial losses and destruction. - What is the Prime Minister’s message to citizens for the new year?
Rowley has urged citizens to enter 2025 "energized, with clearer insights and more open to new perspectives on the challenges that face our nation", and to consider the existence of the SoE and its purpose in addressing the rising crime situation.
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