Trinidad Travel Alert

The U.S. State Department renewed its Trinidad and Tobago advisory on April 13 and kept the country at Level 3: “Reconsider travel.” (travel.state.gov) The advisory cites crime and “a heightened risk of terrorism,” and the U.S. Embassy in Port of Spain said the update was published April 16. (tt.usembassy.gov) A nationwide state of emergency took effect on March 3 after what the U.S. Embassy called a spike in violent criminal activity, mainly involving organized gangs. Under the order, police can search property without warrants, arrest people on suspicion, and bail is suspended for some suspects. (tt.usembassy.gov) The U.S. says its government employees in Trinidad and Tobago cannot go at any time to Laventille, the southern end of Charlotte Street, Piccadilly Street, Besson Street, Beetham, Sea Lots, Cocorite, and the interior of Queen’s Park Savannah. They also must avoid Port of Spain beaches, downtown Port of Spain, Fort George, and Queen’s Park Savannah at night. (travel.state.gov) The warning is part of a broader pattern among allied governments, but the wording is not identical. Canada says travelers should “exercise a high degree of caution” nationwide and avoid non-essential travel to parts of Port of Spain, Laventille, Sea Lots, Beetham Estate Gardens, and Cocorite because of gang violence. (travel.gc.ca) Britain updated its advice on March 6 after the emergency declaration and said the order gives authorities extra powers of search, arrest, and detention, though it noted that no curfew or movement restrictions were in place at that time. (gov.uk) Australia’s Smartraveller page, updated March 24 and still current on April 22, tells travelers to “exercise a high degree of caution,” warns of roadblocks and possible short-notice curfews, and says violent crime including kidnapping, shootings, armed robbery, rape, carjacking, and home invasions is common. (smartraveller.gov.au) The U.S. advisory also draws a distinction between the two islands, saying crime rates are lower in Tobago than in Trinidad. It separately tells travelers to use more caution in rural areas on both islands because medical services for routine and emergency care are limited. (tt.usembassy.gov) For travelers who still go, the U.S. advice is practical rather than abstract: enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, avoid poorly lit or remote areas, use caution when walking or driving at night, and stay alert for robbery setups, including scams arranged through dating apps. (travel.state.gov)