Published: March 07, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Trinidad and Tobago Travel Advisory and Trinidad and Tobago Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy: 15 Queens Park West, Port of Spain, Trinidad
Tel: +868 622-6371; Regional Security Office: +868 822-5927
Hours: Monday-Friday, 0730 – 1630.
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
The Port-of-Spain Country Chapter launched in 2017 and meets on an as-needed basis.
Trinidad and Tobago Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication indicates that travelers should reconsider travel to Trinidad and Tobago due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Port of Spain as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Trinidad & Tobago, indicating that there may be widespread violent crime and/or organized crime present in the country, and/or that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.
The Government of Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) continues to face numerous challenges in its effort to reduce crime. This includes an overburdened legal system with antiquated laws, bureaucratic resistance to change, corruption, unemployment in marginal areas, disenfranchised youth, the negative influence of gangs, drugs, weapons, and an economic recession. Despite multiple States of Emergency and an influx of domestic and foreign support for anti-gang operations, crime has continued to increase across the islands.
Although foreigners are not specific targets, crime is the principal threat to visitors. Trinidad has seen a recent, significant increase in the level and geographic proliferation of crime. U.S. citizens have been victims of pickpocketing, assault, theft/robbery, fraud, and murder. Robberies, home invasions, carjacking, and petty theft can occur during daylight hours. Robberies, break-ins or burglaries, vehicular break-ins, home invasions, and assaults, including sexual assaults, do occur in areas tourists frequent and in expatriate communities. Do not physically resist any robbery attempt. Statistics show that attackers are more likely to injure or kill victims who resist.
Trinidad & Tobago Police Service (TTPS) 2024 statistics show an increase in all areas of crime as the country is experiencing a violent gang war fueled by criminal acts. The homicide rate, with 623 murders in 2024 (or roughly 37 per 100,000 residents), made Trinidad and Tobago the sixth most dangerous nation in the world. A continued decrease in economic opportunity, organized criminal presence, and weapons trade from northern nations have contributed to this rise in violence.
Roughly 95% of the homicides in 2024 occurred on the island of Trinidad in part due to it being the population center. However, murders and violent crime is also on the rise on the island of Tobago. Gang and drug activity motivates most violent crime such as homicide, kidnapping, assault, robbery, and sexual assault. The most populated metropolitan areas of Port of Spain and San Fernando continue to contribute heavily to the crime statistics.
Violent crime remains a major concern for local security services and the general population. Loss in confidence of the justice system and TTPS’s ability to address crime has led to a significant depreciation in available statistics on criminal acts as most crimes go unreported. Many locations will require cash or debit card. Exercise caution with using U.S. credit cards. If using a credit card, ensure that it stays in your sight. Criminals have been targeting individuals leaving banks and ATMs after withdrawing money. Exercise caution and situational awareness when doing so. Do not withdraw large amounts of cash from banks or ATMs. Instead, consider cashing a check or conducting an electronic transfer.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Trinidad & Tobago, indicating that criminal or terrorist individuals or groups have threatened to and/or have seized or detained and threatened to kill, injure, or continue to detain individuals in order to compel a third party (including a governmental organization) to do or abstain from doing something as a condition of release.
The number of kidnappings in T&T nearly doubled in 2024, with over 240 cases of reported abductions. While only 9 were classified as kidnappings for ransom, the rest fell into the categories of express kidnappings, virtual kidnappings, or human trafficking abductions. Travelers are recommended against traveling on public transit or via hailed taxis for this reason. Travelers are also recommended to avoid leaving food or drink unattended, as some kidnapping incidents involved the use of “date-rape” drugging.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Port of Spain as a MEDIUM-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Trinidad & Tobago, indicating that terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist.
Given the crime rate and weaknesses in border control, there remains an ongoing concern that potential terrorists or terrorist organizations could use T&T as a transit point. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, and places of worship. Parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas are also potential target areas for terrorists.
Several known extremist/ISIS affiliated groups have operated in T&T. To date, these groups’ activities have been largely aspirational. In 2018, the National Security Ministry, in coordination with the U.S. government, disrupted a terror plot against Carnival celebrations. Authorities detained the individuals but eventually released them from custody. Trinbagonian terrorists appear to have come from both the Afro-Trini and Indo-Trini Muslim communities; many appear to have had prior affiliations with criminal gangs. In 2020, the U.S. formally charged two Trinidad-born U.S. nationals for joining a terrorist organization and providing material support after traveling to Syria from Trinidad with their families.
In recent years, the primary terrorism concern in the country has been the threat from ISIS supporters in Trinidad and Tobago and the possible return of individuals who traveled, or attempted to travel, to Syria or Iraq to fight with ISIS. In February 2020, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) removed Trinidad and Tobago from its “gray list” of countries with deficient anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CTF) regimes. Trinidad and Tobago’s institutions demonstrated the capability to detect, deter, and prevent acts of terrorism with the assistance of international partners.
There are also links to Latin American-based transnational criminal organizations that may also be classified as terrorist organizations. These groups often operate in and traffic illicit goods through Trinidad, fueling local violence. The country’s southern border, which is approximately 10 miles from the Venezuelan coast, remained porous and vulnerable to illegal migration, drug trafficking, and human trafficking and smuggling. Venezuelan organized criminal organization and designated terrorist organization Tren de Aragua has been known to exploit this proximity for the transit of personnel and material. Trinidad and Tobago has reaffirmed its commitment to combat narcoterrorism in the region.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The Department of State has assessed Trinidad & Tobago as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Trinidad & Tobago. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is a parliamentary democracy governed by a prime minister and a bicameral legislature. The island of Tobago’s House of Assembly has some administrative autonomy over local matters. The country held parliamentary elections in 2020. The ruling People’s National Movement, led by Prime Minister Keith Rowley, defeated the opposition United National Congress, led by Kamla Persad-Bissessar. Local media observers considered the elections generally free and fair.
Protests & Demonstrations
The law provides for the freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, and the government generally respects these rights. Protests during election season are typically uncommon. Visitors should avoid political rallies.
All demonstrations require a permit and police approval in advance. Police typically provide appropriate coverage. Protests usually take place in or near the Parliament building downtown, outside the Prime Minister’s Offices in St. Clair, or along the Savannah. Avoid all demonstrations, which can turn violent at any time.
There have been multiple recent protests related to police brutality caused by events both in the United States and in T&T. In July 2022, protests became violent in response to the shooting death of four individuals by TTPS officers. Protestors burned tires and blocked roads, leading to major traffic issues and several arrests. The current wave of violent crime has diminished the appetite of anti-police demonstrations. In 2024, demonstrators protested against the Israel-Hamas conflict, although these demonstrations remained mostly peaceful.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
There are no concerns about anti-U.S. sentiment in T&T.
Law Enforcement
The National Security Ministry oversees three major divisions: police, immigration, and defense. TTPS, with almost 8,000 police officers and Special Reserve Police, maintains internal security. The defense force, which includes the Coast Guard, is responsible for external security but also has specific domestic security responsibilities. The Coast Guard is responsible for maritime border security in places with no official ports of entry. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces. There have been credible reports that members of the security forces committed some abuses.
In recent years and in response to citizen concerns, the government of T&T has bought additional police cruisers, constructed and renovated police stations, recruited new officers, and made efforts to improve police customer service. Several TTPS units use dashboard cameras, which support the TTPS goal of continuing to earn the trust of members of the public through honesty, transparency, and accountability. TTPS plans on purchasing and distributing body cameras for frontline officers. Despite many positive steps in combating the high crime rate, TTPS continues to struggle with corruption among its ranks.
Police Response
Police response depends on the location and number of officers assigned to the area. The Port of Spain area sees a high volume of vehicle patrols and occasional horse-mounted patrols. Police can be flagged down for immediate response, contacted through 999 or 555, receive a report at a police station, or contacted via the TTPS smartphone application.
As of March 2025, Trinidad and Tobago remains under a State of Emergency that empowers TTPS to conduct warrantless searches and arrests. While there are no restrictions on assembly or curfews, military forces have been mobilized to support law enforcement efforts. Travelers may experience an increased police presence, including vehicle checkpoints.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Trinidad and Tobago, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Trinidad and Tobago.
Corruption is a problem at many levels of government. Opaque public procurement processes are a concern. There are allegations that some politicians and ministers have close relationships with gang leaders and facilitate procurement and contracting of road, bridge, and construction projects to companies owned and operated by criminal enterprises. The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials, but the government does not enforce the law effectively, and officials sometimes engage in corrupt practices with impunity.
Cybersecurity
Trinidad and Tobago experienced multiple attacks on government systems in 2024. Because of consistently weak security infrastructure, many of these attacks were successful at accessing sensitive information, including government records. Private firms in T&T have also reported cyberattacks to payment processing and employee information systems. Organizations operating in Trinidad and Tobago are recommended to maintain updated security infrastructures, and to be prepared for complex intrusion attempts.
Import/Export Restrictions
There are no import/export restrictions. Some foreign investors report problems when their interests conflict with those of competing state-owned enterprises or locally based companies with political influence.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
