Terror warning ahead of Trinidad and Tobago carnival
A terror attack on next week’s world-famous Trinidad and Tobago carnival is ‘still possible’, despite authorities on the two-island nation making a series of arrests.
In a news conference on Thursday, Trinidad and Tobago police official Michael Jackman said officers had uncovered a threat to disrupt the carnival activities and detained ‘several persons of interest’.
The UK Foreign Office updated its advice late on Thursday evening to report ‘an increased threat’ around carnival time, which takes place next Monday and Tuesday, February 12 and 13.
It said: "Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Trinidad and Tobago.
"The Trinidad and Tobago authorities have arrested some individuals who planned to carry out attacks against Carnival on 12 and 13 February 2018; an attack is still possible.
"The Trinidad and Tobago government is increasing security measures for the Carnival; you should remain vigilant and avoid crowded places and large gatherings."
The US Embassy in the capital Port of Spain, issued similar advice, telling people ‘to exercise additional caution and increased situational awareness if they participate in carnival events’.
The advisory added: "Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Trinidad and Tobago. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in crowded spaces and places visited by foreigners."
Almost two years ago, an expert warned the group calling itself Islamic State had a ‘foothold’ in Trinidad and Tobago, according to the Trinidad Guardian.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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