A new state of emergency has been declared in Trinidad and Tobago after authorities accused a criminal network of plotting to kill government officials and attack public institutions.
Police said they had intelligence that phones smuggled into prisons allowed those involved in the plot to plan to target senior police officers, members of the judiciary and employees at the state prosecution office.
At a press conference on Friday, police commissioner Allister Guevarro said: "They were planning, actively so, to carry out assassinations, robberies, and kidnappings."
He said the intelligence report prompted him to recommend that newly elected Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar declare the emergency. He noted there were no particular threats to any politicians.
It's the second state of emergency declared in Trinidad and Tobago in a year - authorities cited concerns about gang violence in that declaration, which lasted from December to April.
Under a state of emergency, police can conduct searches and make arrests without a warrant. A curfew has not been put into effect.
Mr Guevarro said gang leaders who were housed in a maximum-security prison in east Trinidad have been relocated to an unidentified facility.
"We have seen recent acts of kidnapping and homicides being perpetrated against our citizenry that we have been able to trace back to this organised crime syndicate," he said.
Read more from Sky News:
Athlete who jumped from edge of space dies
Under-fire water regulator could be scrapped
According to police data, Trinidad and Tobago, with a population of more than 1.4 million, recorded 624 killings last year, its deadliest on record.
As of Thursday, police said the number of killings this year stood at 214 - a decline from 325 in the same period last year.
(c) Sky News 2025: Trinidad and Tobago declares state of emergency after plot to kill government officials unco
Inside Sweida: The Syrian city ravaged by sectarian violence - where bodies line streets and homes are burned
Migrants locked up in notorious El Salvador jail released in Venezuela-US prisoner swap
Ha Long Bay: At least 37 dead after tourist boat capsizes in Vietnam
Gaza: More than 30 people killed 'as Israeli troops open fire towards Palestinians waiting for aid'
Ukraine proposes renewed peace talks - as Zelenskyy urges Russia to 'stop avoiding decisions'
Ukraine's Oleksandr Usyk beats Daniel Dubois to become undisputed heavyweight champion for a second time
Israel and Syria agree to ceasefire, says US ambassador to Turkey, after 'hundreds' killed in clashes
Trump suing Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch for $10bn after Epstein letter report
Three dead after 'horrific incident' at sheriff training facility in LA
