US State Department Issues Travel Advisory for Trinidad and Tobago

The U.S. Department of State issued a travel advisory for the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago on April 13, warning about crime and terrorism risks.

The country is designated with the “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” classification, the second most severe travel advisory warning.

“Reconsider travel to Trinidad and Tobago due to crime. There is also a heightened risk of terrorism. Some areas have an increased risk,” the department said in its April 13 update. “Exercise increased caution in rural areas due to health risks.”

Early last month, Trinidad and Tobago declared a new state of emergency, only about a month after the end of the previous one, due to what the State Department said was “a spike in violent criminal activity that could threaten public safety.”

The state of emergency allows the country’s police service to arrest people on suspicion of involvement in illegal activities and to search and enter private and public properties. People suspected of committing a crime can have their bail suspended. The restrictions imposed by the government “may change with little or no notice.”

The country has spent around 10 of the previous 14 months under an emergency.

The main opposition has slammed the renewal of state of emergency periods, accusing the government of failing to address the crime situation. The nation has recorded more than 60 killings so far this year.

The state of emergency has an initial duration of up to 15 days, but the government can extend it if needed. The persistence of such moves has affected the country’s tourism industry.

According to the State Department, about 10,000 Americans visit Trinidad and Tobago each year for vacation or business.

In its advisory, the department warned that “violent crime, including assault, kidnapping, sexual assault, home invasions, and murder, is increasingly more common throughout Trinidad & Tobago. Avoid traveling alone, particularly after dark or in secluded areas.”

The department advised avoiding beaches, Fort George, downtown Port of Spain, and Queen’s Park Savannah after dark, warning that tourists are particularly vulnerable to armed assaults and pick-pocketing at these locations.

Caution must also be exercised near isolated beaches and waterfalls in Tobago due to muggings. The region has seen violent home invasions, particularly in Bacolet, Buccoo Bay, and Mt. Irvine areas, the advisory said.

U.S. government employees working in Trinidad and Tobago are not allowed to travel to certain areas of Port of Spain due to crime risks, including Laventille, Piccadilly Street, Besson Street, the southern end of Charlotte Street between Oxford Street and Park Street, Beetham, Sea Lots, the interior of Queen’s Park Savannah, and Cocorite.

According to 2023 estimates, Trinidad and Tobago has a population of about 1.5 million, with the majority residing on Trinidad, according to Our World in Data.

US Military Involvement

Trinidad and Tobago has welcomed U.S. military involvement in the region. In the weeks prior to U.S. forces capturing former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3, the U.S. military conducted drills in the nation.

In October 2025, a U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer arrived in Trinidad and Tobago’s capital to take part in a joint military exercise. In November 2025, the U.S. Marines conducted military drills in the country, situated just seven miles from Venezuela.

On Dec. 19, 2025, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, reiterated her support for the United States amid America’s military activity near Venezuela.

“If anyone comes to attack our country, who do you think will defend us? The United States has the military might and the power,” Persad-Bissessar wrote in a post on X. “Understand where our help comes from. Understand who can protect and defend Trinidad and Tobago. Right now, there is only one country in the world that can do so. They have the equipment. They have the money. They have the assets.”

On Dec. 15, 2025, Trinidad and Tobago’s foreign ministry announced a commitment to sustained cooperation with the United States to ensure safety and stability in the region.

Trinidad and Tobago has benefited from its partnership with the United States through joint military training exercises and enhanced surveillance capabilities, according to the ministry.

Collaborative efforts have “contributed to the interdiction of millions of dollars’ worth of illegal narcotics,” the ministry said in a statement.

“The United States Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago has also supported national development through educational initiatives, including school equipment donations and infrastructure enhancement projects.”