A State of Public Emergency has been declared in Trinidad and Tobago.

A statement issued this morning from Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley’s office said the SOE was declared based on the advice of the police to the National Security Council due to heightened criminal activity which endangers public safety.

A record of over 600 people have been murdered in Trinidad and Tobago since January.

In a press conference this morning, Acting Attorney General Stuart Young noted concerns regarding the financial implications of the measure.

He stressed that the Government has no desire to affect the country’s economy but that the crime situation in the twin island nation demanded urgent action.

The last SOE declared in Trinidad and Tobago was in 2021. It was implemented to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Previously, an SOE was implemented in 2014 by the People’s Partnership Administration to address a similar surge in violent crimes.