Guyana on Tuesday came out in support of Trinidad and Tobago’s limited state of emergency that has been imposed to quell a spike in drug-related murders and other forms of violence.

“The Government of Guyana shares the view that societies must not be held to ransom by criminal elements and fully supports the action of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to restore order and to bring those responsible to justice,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Government noted that the limited state of emergency was called by the sister Caricom member-nation “in the face of acts of violence which have disrupted several communities.” 

The measures include an overnight curfew in six area for the next 13 days, following 11 murders in just a couple of days. 

Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar says the violence was linked to a crackdown in drug trafficking. 

Meanwhile, the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) says it has noted the “the wide-ranging prerogatives of the authorities including the right to impose direct forms of censorship.”  “The ACM is in touch with our international partners on the situation as it unfolds,” the regional umbrella media organisation says.

The emergency powers regulations states that orders made under sub-regulation (1) may make provision with respect to all or any of the following matters, that is to say— (a) censorship and the control and suppression of publications, writings, maps, plans, photographs, communications and means of communication.