Attorney General John Jeremie says the government will not allow Trinidad and Tobago to descend into anarchy, as he explained the government was left with no choice but to advise the President to declare a State of Emergency (SoE) to quell a spike in gang violence.

Speaking at a media conference on March 3, Jeremie said “strategic operations” had already begun by the protective services targeting individuals who pose a threat to public safety.

“These will continue in an intelligence led, targeted and deliberate manner until these threats to public safety are eliminated,” Jeremie said.

“We take this initial approach while currently putting various other measures in place that would constitute a longer term sustainable approach to maintaining order, peace and safety in our society, we will continue to inform the public of various initiatives and operations taking place during this state of emergency as appropriate.”

Jeremie said the SoE gives the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and other armed forces the authority to operate “in a manner that matches the danger posed by the criminal gangs whose operatives are armed with high powered firearms”.

Flanked by Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander and Justice Minister Devesh Maharaj, the Attorney General noted that the previous SoE, called in July 2025 and lifted on January 31, 2026, resulted in a significant decline in the country’s murder rate.

Government data showed a 42 per cent decrease during that period.

He said the protective services made substantial progress in dismantling organised crime networks while the emergency powers were in effect.

Jeremie added that the government had sought to enact legislation to sustain that downward trend. While some laws were passed, others failed to secure parliamentary support.

Among them was the Zone of Special Operations Bill, which would have allowed targeted operations in communities to combat illicit gangs.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced the latest SoE in a statement on March 2.

She said she received a security briefing earlier in the day from the National Security Council, where Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro, Chief of Defence Staff Don Polo and the Head of the Strategic Services Agency reported that violent criminal activity — much of it linked to organised gangs — had increased since the previous SoE ended on January 31.

The council noted multiple fatalities from mass shootings and reprisal killings, warning that if not contained, they would endanger public safety.

The Prime Minister was also advised of threats against police officers, prison officers and other members of the security and legal services.

“I had previously warned the criminal gangs and detainees released from prison that decent law-abiding citizens are fed up with their criminality, and if they cannot behave themselves, I would have no hesitation in having another SoE declared,” Persad-Bissessar said.

“I also indicated that violent gang members would be returned straight to prison, and this time, their friends and family who aid their criminality would accompany them. I reiterate my words that if criminals want to terrorize law-abiding citizens and their families, I will do everything legally possible to terrorise criminals and those who aid and abet them.”

She said her administration will continue to pressure the country’s criminal elements and use all available resources to ensure that the gains achieved during the previous SoE are not reversed.

The state of emergency will last 15 days, with parliamentary approval required for any extension.It is the second SoE declared in Trinidad and Tobago in under a year.