No evidence of credible threat behind US alert in Trinidad & Tobago, police say
This is what acting police commissioner Junior Benjamin said The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has “no additional information” about the alleged threat to US facilities goes beyond what is already public, and there is no local intelligence to cause concern.
“Exactly what you saw is what we were given. We have no additional information at all,” Benjamin shared Newsday. “It’s just that we’re taking that extra precaution because we want to ensure safety in general.”
On October 18, the American Embassy issued an advisory on social media urging US citizens to avoid US government facilities in Trinidad and Tobago over the Diwali weekend, citing a “heightened state of alert.”
Benjamin stressed that while police have increased security checks – including at the TT Electricity Commission and Water and Sewerage Authority sites – there is “no evidence or anything to say that we are seeing anything unusual within the TT space.”
Finance Minister Dave Tancoo, meanwhile, condemned rumors on social media claiming there was an impending “security alert” at the Central Bank and top officials would be evacuated. He called such claims “fake news” and accused certain “news sources” of trying to create panic.
“There are certain ‘news sources’, and I say that deliberately, that are trying to create mass hysteria and panic,” Tancoo said. He added that any US military action against Venezuela would not be announced in advance, especially through social media.
Current US travel advisory for Trinidad and Tobago
The United States currently maintains one Travel advice level 3 for Trinidad and Tobago, and encourages travelers to do so “Rethink travel” because of crime. The advisory warns of high levels of violent crime, including armed robbery, kidnapping and sexual assault, especially in certain urban areas.
While the October 18 US Embassy warning urged citizens to avoid US government facilities over the Diwali weekend due to a “heightened state of alert,” it did do not change the general travel advice level. Officials emphasized that the advisory is primarily related to ongoing security concerns and not to any specific or verified new threat.
