Gang Member Sparks National Security Incident, Boosting Protection for Officials in Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago's Parliament was recently the scene of heightened security measures following a "national security incident" reportedly triggered by a member of a Belmont gang. Attorney General John Jeremie disclosed in Parliament that the event necessitated increased protection for government officials and Parliament itself.

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I am authorised by the Commissioner of Police to say that last Friday, that a member of one of those gangs in that community sparked a national security incident, such that all of us in this Parliament were protected to a higher degree and certain officials in the Government were given additional protection.

Jeremie, authorized by Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro, stated that the incident required all parliamentarians to be protected to a higher degree. While he did not elaborate on the nature of the incident or the specific security enhancements, he assured that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) acted with an abundance of caution. Police Commissioner Guevarro confirmed the event but cited national security obligations as the reason for not disclosing operational details.

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I can confirm that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service responded to a security-related matter last Friday which required enhanced protective measures at Parliament and for a small number of Government officials.

This incident occurred during the official visit of India's Minister of External Affairs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, raising concerns about the security environment. The Attorney General also linked the incident to ongoing discussions about gang warfare and crime, referencing recent tragic murders of children in Morvant and Belmont. The Trinidad Express coverage highlights the delicate balance authorities must strike between transparency and maintaining national security, particularly when such events coincide with high-profile diplomatic visits and ongoing public discourse on crime.

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Given the nature of the matter, and consistent with our obligations under national security, I am not at liberty to disclose operational details of the incident, the TTPS' response, or specifics regarding individuals.