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Trinidad and Tobago ends long state of emergency as anger mounts over arrests

On Thursday, Trinidad and Tobago ended a lengthy state of emergency after the country spent roughly 16 of the last 20 months under the measure, with authorities on alert for potential violence.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar reported more than 5,800 arrests after the emergency's extension in early March, with 2,250 suspects remaining uncharged. The prime minister told Parliament on Wednesday that credible threats were "substantially reduced."
Local attorney Criston J. Williams denounced the treatment of detainees, claiming they faced infringements "under the guise of a state of emergency." He called on the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to investigate conditions at the military base.
Tricia Richards hopes the end of the emergency allows her to visit husband Earl Richards, whom she has not seen since July 2025. Persad-Bissessar stated, "We still live in a democracy," leaving legal challenges to the courts.
Opposition leader Pennelope Beckles criticized the emergency as a failure to curb crime despite extraordinary powers exercised. Police reported 255 killings so far this year, compared with 268 during the same period last year.

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