The acting attorney general announced a state of emergency in Trinidad and Tobago, granting military powers for arrests and home searches without warrants amid a surge in gang violence.
National security minister Fitzgerald Hinds described the wave of killings as an epidemic and a public health concern, with 623 homicides recorded in 2023.
The increase in violence over the past decade, particularly by small, territorial street gangs engaged in drug dealing and arms trafficking, reflects a long-standing struggle.
Experts estimate around 186 gangs operate in Trinidad and Tobago, highlighting the significant challenge the government faces in addressing the entrenched criminal presence.
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