The United States Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago has issued a security alert to its citizens amid a rise in crime in the closing days of the year.
In the alert, dated December 28, the embassy identified the location of concern as St Augustine.
“Exercise caution as there is potential for increased crime,” it said.
The US Embassy said criminal activity often occurs in crowded public locations such as markets, shopping malls, airports, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, transportation hubs, schools and other areas.
“Due to recent increased gang activity in St Augustine, US citizens are advised to exercise extreme caution in the St Augustine areas of Trincity Mall, Trincity, Grand Bazaar, and Valsayn areas into the new year,” it said.
The embassy advised US citizens to exercise vigilance or avoid areas with heightened criminal activity, review their personal security plans and be aware of their surroundings to monitor local media for updates.
A US Embassy spokesperson told Guardian Media, “The message is a time and location-specific alert sent to US citizens in Trinidad and Tobago. It is not an update to the travel advisory.”
Also contacted yesterday, Minster of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Dr Amery Browne said, “We engage in constant communication with the US government on a range of matters of mutual interest, and the United States remains a strong and reliable partner in addressing national and regional security concerns. On occasion, the US Embassy would issue security alerts and messages aimed at shaping the awareness and guiding the movements of its staff, US citizens, and other key stakeholders.”
However, Oropouche East MP and Opposition Dr Roodal Moonilal said the latest severe advisory from the US Embassy was another disturbing indicator of the crime abyss into which T&T has sunk under the “wretched” Rowley regime.
“The country has imploded,” he said in a statement.
“The country is today unpoliced and unpatrolled. Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds has incapacitated the police service. He continues to “bump his gum” and seek to pull wool over the eyes of the population.”
He said the American authorities have followed up on their routine dire warnings by alerting their citizens that there is “potential for increased crime” in the St Augustine area.
Moonilal said the US officials clearly felt compelled to issue the grave alarm in light of the daylight gang killings and the murder of innocent bystander Lana Sahadeo in St Augustine on Wednesday.
He said, “The public caution is a further critical pointer to T&T’s ever-worsening crime scourge and a harsh blow to the country’s international image and the prospects of attracting tourists and investors.”
He said in addition, the Americans are advising against visiting shopping malls in communities close to St Augustine, which would doubtlessly also be heeded by locals and lead to a significant falloff in much-needed commerce.