Ebuzz News
State of Emergency Declared in Trinidad and Tobago Two Days Before The New Year.
Two days before the New Year, Trinidad and Tobago’s President, Christine Kangaloo has declared a state of emergency.
The announcement came on Monday, December 30th, just days after the Prime Minister of the country expressed personal agony over the spate of violent crimes in the nation. To date, Trinidad and Tobago has recorded over 600 murders. This latest move by the President comes even as carnival celebrations, inclusive of a major Caribbean Festival event featuring Jamaican dancehall artiste, Vybz Kartel, are being planned.
On Friday, December 27th, Dr. Rowley said, “To those who know and are doing or saying nothing, stop normalizing criminal conduct in your social life and to those who share the proceeds of violent criminal conduct, stop encouraging or shielding your family members and friends who are engaging in criminal conduct.”
Dr. Rowley said the Government will continue to provide full support to the Police and other agencies, adding that stakeholders from the home to the courthouse are encouraged to provide no safe harbor and comfort to the criminal element “which believes that it can plan, execute and terrorize the nation with impunity.”
A State of Emergency can only legally last 15 days without Parliamentary approval. A motion must now be taken to Parliament and debated. As a result, there has been no explicit details on the matter of citizen restrictions.
Trinidad and Tobago, known to the world as the country of Steelpan, calypso and carnival, has been the topic of heavier discussion for many years, with many living overseas, continuously pointing out the serious crime problem. On Friday, Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley said, “To those in authority who are responsible for dispensing justice, stop pretending that criminals are the victims who deserve only mercy when by their heartless, lawless behaviour they are to receive firm punishment as prescribed by the law as enacted in anticipation to cover the various destabilizing practices.”
The Prime Minister said the Government does not believe that the nation cannot get the upper hand of criminal conduct, which has evolved to becoming a major public health issue at this time, adding that we will all need to do more and even do differently if we are to keep violent criminal conduct where it belongs.
The State of Emergency declaration by the President allows the State to curtail constitutional rights of citizens while at the same time guarding against human rights abuses. The state of emergency simply authorises a temporary restriction of human rights, with the consent of Parliament. Even where Parliament may authorise intrusions into those constitutional rights, the High Court maintains final oversight of the legality of any measure.
A press conference has been announced for 10am on Monday, December 30th.
Ebuzz News
Trinidad and Tobago’s Voice Will Rep for Soca at Best of the Best 2026. Artiste’s Inclusion Shows Soca’s Global Reach.
He had one of the most memorable Carnival seasons with a Soca track that stole the hearts of Soca lovers in 2026 and now Aaron ‘Voice’ St. Louis is set to represent hard for the Soca music genre at the upcoming ‘Best of the Best’ Music Festival in Miami on May 26th. His appearance will be his debut to the highly anticipated festival and already, the energy is high.
Voice represents the bridge between Millennial Soca and GenZ vibes. ‘Cyah Behave Mehself’ was lapped up like good Caribbean food at Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago back in February, and it is expected to do the same as the international summer season approaches.
Set to take place on May 26th at Museum Park, Downtown Miami, Voice’s inclusion on the cast underscores the Soca genre’s continued global reach within a predominantly reggae and dancehall showcase. Known for his high energy performances and melodic songwriting, the Trinidad and Tobago three -time Soca Monarch King has built an extensive catalogue of hits that that has proven to resonate with a global audience.
Organizers say anticipation for Voice’s performance at Best of the Best, is high. “Fans are looking forward to a dynamic set that brings soca’s signature energy to the festival stage.”
Best of the Best Music Fest remains one of North America’s premiere Caribbean music events, drawing fans from across the region and Diaspora for a full day of live performances. This year’s lineup includes, Sizzla Kalonji, Beenie Man, Tarrus Riley, Capleton, Rajah Wild, Skeng, Vanessa Bling, among others.
Reggae
New ‘Jamrock’ Documentary Celebrates Unforgettable Moments. Cruise Returns to Jamaica After Hurricane Melissa, This Year.
Ahead of its 11th annual voyage in November, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise shares its story through a new film. VIBE premiered All in the Same Boat, a documentary directed by acclaimed filmmaker, Reshma B and produced by Boomshots TV that traces Marley and his manager Dan Dalton’s brainchild from a bold, outsider idea into one of the most culturally significant movements in reggae and dancehall today.
With over a decade’s worth of unforgettable moments pulled from the last 10 voyages, this 30+ minute documentary captures the spirit of a global reggae community built on shared identity, resilience, and reverence for Jamaican culture. It features iconic performances, real conversations with the artistes and DJs, and the heartbeat of it all: the “Jamrockers.” These are die-hard reggae lovers from over 40 countries who pull up every year for one reason – to feel that irreplaceable connection to Jamaican culture and keep the Marley message of “One Love” alive.
Having successfully navigated challenges including extreme weather and a global pandemic, the Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise continues to thrive. Its 11th staging will return for its annual voyage from November 11th to the 16th, sailing from Miami aboard Norwegian Joy.
Stacked from foundation to future, this year’s lineup brings together reggae and dancehall’s most influential voices: Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley and Stephen Marley (Traffic Jam Set), Burning Spear, Sizzla, Capleton, Beenie Man, Protoje, Barrington Levy, Elephant Man, Junior Reid, Lila Iké, Ding Dong & the Ravers Clavers, Tony Matterhorn “Man on the Moon”, Gyptian, 450, Richie Spice, Ghost, Mr. Lexx, Professor Nuts, L.U.S.T., Sister Carol, Sevana, Flourgon, Johnny P, and Jemere Morgan are confirmed.
The cruise’s famed Sound Clash at Sea will return alongside powerhouse sound systems including Stone Love (Geefus), King Jammy, Silverhawk Sound, Rory Stone Love, Renaissance Sound, Federation Sound, Warrior Sound, Rampage Sound, Kingston12 HiFi and Souljah1 Muzik, preserving a cornerstone of Jamaican music culture in its most authentic form.
Jamrock is a Premiere Reggae Event
The Jamrock experience has evolved into the premier reggae event at sea—one that continues to redefine how the culture is celebrated on a global stage. The five-day experience continues to immerse guests in the full spectrum of Jamaican life—from Nyabinghi sunrise sessions and sound bath meditations to dancehall workshops, fitness programming, and curated culinary offerings led by acclaimed Chef Lumley. A new addition this year includes a live theatrical production by legendary playwright Oliver Samuels, adding yet another layer to the cruise’s ever-expanding cultural canvas.
Following the impact of Hurricane Melissa in 2025, the cruise will return to Jamaica with renewed purpose, maintaining its distinction as the only chartered cruise with two Jamaican port stops. That commitment translates into tangible impact, generating millions annually for the island’s tourism and cultural economy while reinforcing a direct connection between the music, the people, and the place that birthed it.
As All in the Same Boat makes clear, Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise is a movement with its own rhythm, one that continues to bring the diaspora home, while inviting the world in. Since its inception in 2014, the mission remains the same: to create a space where reggae lives, breathes, and connects us all.
The documentary made its debut during the 10th annual cruise and later screened at Art Basel in support of hurricane relief efforts led by the Marley family’s Ghetto Youths Foundation. Damian Marley and Dan Dalton were executive producers of the film.
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