The government fully supports Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro’s call for a State of Emergency in Trinidad and Tobago.
Attorney General John Jeremie made the government’s position clear as he addressed a media briefing on Friday afternoon.
He noted an increase in serious crimes and gang activity across the nation as he outlined the government’s reasoning for endorsing the Commissioner’s request.
“We are conscious that there have been 213 homicides so far for the year. And that just this last week we’ve had some truly horrific crimes that have taken place. It is our understanding that there is now a resurgence in kidnappings, and extortion, and abductions for ransom.”
The Attorney General said serious threats were made against state facilities along with “the very rule of law.”
“Yesterday afternoon the government learned that a plot was in the advanced stages of execution from within Trinidad and Tobago’s correctional facilities. The object of the plot was clear. It was directed towards violent attacks targeting citizens, persons involved in the justice system at all levels, and others involved in serving this country in the protective services.”
He added that the government has a duty to all of the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
“We were left with no choice, faced with information, credible information, that persons involved in the administration of justice and others were to be assassinated given certain contingencies. We were left with no choice but to take the most dramatic action that is possible under the Constitution.”
The AG said the State of Emergency will continue as long as the security forces see it necessary.
The Attorney General described a dire situation of what could possibly have been the outcome had the government not agreed to call the State of Emergency.
“The fact that I am here speaking to you this morning and that half of the building has not been destroyed by a rocket launcher should tell you that we have succeeded in disrupting a plan. We stand before you as representatives of people. We are being as open as is possible given that a lot of this is embargoed from release by, you protect individuals, human intelligence.”
The State of Emergency remains in force for an initial period of 15 days. It must be extended by a simple majority of the House of Representatives for periods of three months but cannot exceed six months. There is no curfew under this State of Emergency.
The AG said: “We have a duty to all of the people of Trinidad and Tobago, whether they voted for us or not, to keep them safe and to protect against precisely that which took place in 1990. It will not happen on our watch.”