Citizens woke up yesterday to the news that a state of emergency (SoE) had been declared with the explanation that police “intelligence” had uncovered that a criminal network operating inside the nation’s prisons was conspiring to murder key law enforcement and justice officials, as well as attack institutions.

In apparent disbelief, many took to social media questioning the authenticity of a media release from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) which was issued just after 6 a.m. announcing the SoE —given that this is the second to be declared within months.

Under the former People’s National Movement (PNM) government led by Dr Keith Rowley, an SoE lasted 105 days, having been declared on December 30, 2024 and lifted on April 13, 2025.