Police Commissioner, Allister Guevarro, Tuesday said that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has observed with ‘serious concern’ the recent increase in social media posts in which individuals have made threats of violence against one another, as well as threats directed at public officials.
‘Let me state unequivocally: this behaviour is unlawful, dangerous, and will not be tolerated. Freedom of expression is a right, and every citizen is free to share their thoughts and opinions,’ Guevarro said in a statement, adding that such ‘freedom ends where criminal conduct begins.
‘No one has the right to incite violence, intimidate others, or use online platforms to threaten harm. Such actions undermine public safety, destabilise communities, and erode the peace and order that citizens deserve.’
Guevarro said that in accordance with the Schedule of the Emergency Powers Regulations 2025, the Minister responsible for national security is empowered to issue a Preventive Detention Order to any person, to prevent such persons from acting in a manner prejudicial to public safety.
‘This power is activated when individuals use social media to publish posts or comments that incite violence, invite external interference, or otherwise endanger the safety and stability of the nation,’ the top cop said.
He warned that the TTPS will take decisive action and ‘any individual who uses social media or any digital platform to issue threats, encourage violence, or endanger the safety of any person, including government officials, will face the full force of the law.
‘Our Cyber and Social Media Unit continues to track these offences, and once evidence is gathered, offenders will be identified, located, and prosecuted.’
On Monday, former prime minister Stuart Young, expressed ‘alarm’ at what he described as the position being articulated by Homeland Security Minister, Roger Alexander.
Alexander told the Trinidad Express newspaper that the Kamla Persad Bissessar-led government is examining legal options to curb what he described as the misuse of social media and the spread of misinformation that threatens national safety and security.
He said the proposed measures would target harmful conduct and not legitimate public expression.
But Young said that as a ‘lawyer, and a proud citizen of Trinidad and Tobago, I am alarmed by the positions being articulated by Alexander.
‘When you consider these positions along with his use of a Preventive Detention Order under the State of Emergency Regulations to detain a social media blogger, as opposed to using the available criminal law which allows the protections of bail and the tenets of being ‘innocent until proven guilty’, what we are seeing is a live and developing threat to democracy’.
Young was making reference to the detention order served on Olive Green-Jack, who posted an image of the Prime Minister’s private residence on social media, calling on Venezuela to target it.
The order, which was made on November 12 said that she ‘made and published public posts and/or comments on social media addressed to the Venezuelan Government in an attempt to influence public opinion in a manner likely to be prejudicial to public safety.’
It added that the posts and comments invited violence on the Prime Minister, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and members of the public by Venezuela and/or external persons, which revealed ‘an imminent threat to public safety.’
Trinidad and Tobago is under a state of emergency (SoE) that is due to end in January next year, and Young said that Alexander’s latest statement and the detention of the woman ‘are very dangerous developments.
The Police Commissioner said he is urging all citizens to conduct themselves responsibly online.
‘Share your views, raise your concerns, and participate in national dialogue, but do so within the boundaries of the law. Don’t take chain up from anyone.as your words today can have you in handcuffs tomorrow. Words have consequences, and those who choose to threaten or incite violence will be held accountable.
The TTPS remains committed to maintaining law, order, and public safety. We will not hesitate to act,’ Guevarro said.