Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – January 3, 2025 – Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has defended his government’s decision to delay declaring a State of Emergency (SOE) until now, amid mounting criticism. The President officially gazetted the SOE on Monday, December 30, 2024, after intelligence indicated that gang-related reprisals were imminent nationwide, sparked by a murder in front of the Besson Street Police Station.
Dr. Rowley insisted that declaring a State of Emergency without imposing a curfew strikes the right balance to address the escalating crime situation. He explained that this approach minimizes disruptions to the economy while granting the police additional powers to carry out their duties effectively, aiming to prevent further violence and widespread chaos. The Prime Minister also expressed his commitment to taking any necessary measures, beyond declaring an SOE, to keep criminal elements under control and ensure the safety of citizens. The State of Emergency is set to end on January 14th, but the government has the option to extend it, provided the extension receives approval from Parliament.
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