The U.S. Department of State renewed its Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” advisory for Trinidad and Tobago on April 13, citing crime and a heightened terrorism risk as the nation operates under a nationwide State of Emergency (SOE).
The United States Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago has maintained a Level III travel advisory for Trinidad and Tobago, advising travellers to reconsider travel due to crime and a heightened risk of terrorism.
For more…https://t.co/60NIcCILzp pic.twitter.com/s5ui4XszYj
— CNC3TV (@CNC3TV) April 16, 2026
A Bloomsbury Intelligence and Security Institute (BISI) report published April 14 identified Trinidad and Tobago as the country with the highest rate of Islamic State (ISIS) foreign fighter recruitment per capita in the Western Hemisphere. Approximately 90 Trinidadian nationals, including at least 50 children, remain held at Roj camp in northeast Syria, with repatriation progress stalled.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago (GOTT) declared the SOE on March 2, citing violent criminal activity by organized criminal gangs. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) can arrest on suspicion and search public and private properties. Bail is suspended for those detained.
#TRINIDAD: The nationwide SoE was declared on March 2, 2026, by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago in response to a spike in violent criminal activity, which authorities say has largely been driven by organised criminal gangs.
— CaribbeanNewsNetwork (@caribbeannewsuk) April 20, 2026
The March 2 order is Trinidad and Tobago’s second SOE in under two months. A prior declaration dated December 30, 2024, ran for more than a year.
Preventive detention orders (PDOs) issued under the current SOE have named at least five serving police officers: Stefon Khan, Pramanan Rajpath, Elon Alexander, Jalini Prima, and Stefano Antonio Haban, who are alleged to be part of a criminal gang within the force, according to reports from the Trinidad Express.
The cross-border threat materialized on March 25, 2026, when six Venezuelan nationals and two locals abducted 73-year-old San Juan woman Tara Poliah and attempted a maritime extraction to Venezuela. She was rescued at sea near midnight by the Coast Guard following a radar-led interception.
The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard intercepted the vessel approximately one nautical mile off the North Coast. Eleven suspects were detained, six of them Venezuelan.
An incredible rescue at sea: 73-year-old businesswoman Tara Poliah is safe after being abducted in San Juan. The Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard’s swift action saved her from captors trying to take her to Venezuela. #wicnews #TaraPoliah #CoastGuardRescue #BreakingNews… pic.twitter.com/FikVqg1bZ3
— WIC News (@WIC_News) March 27, 2026
U.S. government personnel face round-the-clock access restrictions in Laventille, Beetham, Sea Lots, and Cocorite, with additional nighttime restrictions covering Port of Spain beaches and Fort George. “Crime remains a challenge throughout the country,” the State Department said.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) separately updated its Trinidad and Tobago guidance on March 6, adding comparable terrorism risk language.
