Trending Now - Trinidad and Tobago Prolongs State of Emergency by Three Months

WHO:

Government of Trinidad and Tobago

House of Representatives of Trinidad and Tobago

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar

Opposition members

WHAT:

Trinidad and Tobago's House of Representatives voted to extend the state of emergency for three months.

The extension was approved by a margin of 26-12.

The state of emergency has been in effect for about 10 of the last 14 months.

The country has recorded more than 60 killings in 2026.

373 people have been detained under the state of emergency.

WHERE:

Trinidad and Tobago

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad

WHEN:

The state of emergency was first declared in December 2024.

The vote to extend the state of emergency occurred on Saturday, March 13th, 2026.

WHY:

The extension is part of a campaign to crack down on crime in Trinidad and Tobago.

The government aims to address a high level of violent crime, which has not been effectively controlled according to opposition members.

HOW:

The state of emergency grants security forces expansive powers, including the ability to arrest individuals on suspicion of criminal activities and to conduct searches without warrants.

(UPDATED March 15, 2026 01:25 UTC)

In a significant move, Trinidad and Tobago's House of Representatives voted on Saturday to extend the state of emergency for three months, with the decision passing by a margin of 26 to 12. This state of emergency, which has been in place for about 10 of the last 14 months, is part of the government's efforts to combat a surge in violent crime, with over 60 killings reported this year alone. Under this extension, security forces will have expanded powers, allowing them to arrest individuals on suspicion of criminal activities and conduct searches without warrants.