Trinidad Declares Emergency Amid Prison Gang Threats

Trinidad and Tobago has declared a nationwide state of emergency after uncovering plots by a prison-based criminal network to carry out assassinations, kidnappings, and attacks on public institutions. Intelligence revealed that encrypted communications via smuggled phones enabled gang leaders to orchestrate these plans from within prison. Following months of investigation, Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro recommended the emergency, and President Christine Kangaloo signed the proclamation, granting expanded powers to law enforcement. Authorities have since relocated key gang leaders to undisclosed facilities and launched covert and overt security operations across the country. This is the second state of emergency in recent months, highlighting escalating gang violence and a record number of killings. While no curfew has been imposed, citizens are urged to remain calm and vigilant.