Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley, has announced his intention to step down before the end of his presidency, marking the culmination of a political career spanning 45 years.
His statement came amid the declaration of a state of emergency in response to escalating violent crime in the nation.
Dr Rowley said during his announcement to the local media, “I don’t want to go through another COVID… I’m here with my colleagues this weekend, and one of the things they will be told is that I will not be offering myself again to represent anyone either in Trinidad or in Tobago, 45 years is a long time, and I would like at this time to say thank you. Appropriately to all of those who have supported my effort and benefitted from, I hope, and have positively impact to this country somewhere, sometime.”
The Prime Minister confirmed he would remain the political leader of the People’s National Movement (PNM) as the party prepares to call for nominations. He also thanked his constituency, Diego Martin West, which he has represented since 1991.
“I represent the people of Diego Martin West, who have supported me resolutely from 1991 to now, and I will thank them appropriately and assure that they are not left to go adrift,” he assured.
However, he noted, “But I will not be offering myself, as I have just said… Before the end of the legal limit of this term, I will resign this office and go off to my family.”
Rowley’s announcement follows his government’s declaration of a state of emergency, granting law enforcement expanded powers to curb an unprecedented wave of violence. As of Monday, the murder toll for 2024 stands at 623—the highest on record since 2013, according to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
Under the emergency powers, police can search individuals and premises without warrants and detain suspects for up to 48 hours. However, the government has refrained from imposing a curfew.
Prime Minister Rowley had described the situation as an unacceptable high level of violent crime, prompting the extraordinary measures.
Trinidad and Tobago, with a population of 1.5 million, now holds one of the highest murder rates in the Caribbean.
