Trinidad and Tobago declared a state of emergency on Monday as murder rates skyrocket in the twin-island Caribbean nation.

The islands – located just off the coast of Venezuela – issued the emergency order after a spate of recent killings and as the government prepared for reprisal shootings following the attempted murder of a gang leader over the weekend, authorities said.

Under the emergency declaration, the government’s defense forces now become de facto police officers, and both are allowed to conduct raids without a warrant.

Bail will also be suspended for suspects under the order, officials said.

People suspected of a crime can also now be held without charge for 48 hours, although the period can be extended for another seven days with court approval, officials said.

Prime Minister Keith Rowley’s office said the intention behind the move was to “target individuals who pose a threat to public safety, particularly those involved in criminal activity and the illegal use of firearms.”

The statement comes as Trinidad and Tobago, with a total population of 1.5 million people, is grappling with a record murder rate this year and one of the highest murder rates in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The number of murders on the islands has risen to over 620 this year alone – with organized crime responsible for most of the murders.

In the latest wave of violence, gunmen shot a known gang leader on Saturday as he left a police station in the impoverished area of ​​Laventille, a local outlet reported.

According to the medium, a member of the gangster’s crew was killed in the ordeal.

Meanwhile, in Trinidad, five men were also shot dead near Port of Spain late Sunday night, and a 57-year-old woman was shot after picking up her son from a hospital in San Fernando on Friday, authorities said.

With post wires