PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The government of Trinidad and Tobago says it is surprised by the latest travel advisory issued by the United States urging Americans to stay away from the capital as violence and shootings occur regularly.
While Washington maintained a Level 2 advisory for Trinidad and Tobago, it issued a Level 4 advisory for Port of Spain advising US citizens not to travel there.
He further said that US government personnel are prohibited from traveling to certain areas, including all beaches, and that “violent crime, such as murder, robbery, assault, sexual assault, home invasion and kidnapping, are common “.
He added that gang activity, such as drug trafficking, is common and that a significant portion of violent crime is gang-related.
“Terrorists can attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public spaces.”
But Homeland Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds said Trinidad and Tobago has not had any major terrorist activity “for many, many years, probably not since 1990.
“We’ve had a bit of bombing around the country, unfortunately someone lost a leg … and we haven’t had that experience and thank God, I was a bit surprised,” Hinds said, adding that the government continues to work together with the United States and other friendly governments in dealing with crime and that terrorism is not unique to Trinidad and Tobago.
“But yes, I was a bit surprised by this huge focus on terrorism given that terrorism is an opportunistic activity and wherever they have an opportunity to do something, they do it anywhere in the world and in that sense Trinidad and Tobago is just as vulnerable as any other country anywhere in this world,” Hinds added.
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