Trinidad and Tobago declared a state of emergency on Monday following an attempt on the life of a gang leader, with the government preparing for possible retaliation, officials said.
The Caribbean nation of two islands off the coast of Venezuela will use the emergency to launch a crackdown on gangs, officials said, with the defense force becoming de facto police and both being authorized to carry out warrantless searches, the country’s Prime Minister Stuart Young said at a press conference.
Bail will be suspended and alleged criminals can be detained for 48 hours without charge. That could be extended for another seven days with court approval, Young said.
On Saturday, gunmen shot a known gang leader as he was leaving the police station, killing a member of his group, according to the Trinidad and Tobago Newsday. The report did not identify the gang leader.
On Sunday night, five men were killed in what is believed to be an act of retaliation, Newsday reported. Trinidad and Tobago has seen a record number of murders this year.
Source: Terra
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