Winter travel warning: Terror threat for British tourists visiting Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago is at risk of Islamic State-orchestrated attacks, as well as lone wolves inspired by al Qaeda. 

The UK Foreign Office has warned tourists to be “vigilant” during trips to the twin-island state, which is situated off South America. 

British visitors are particularly at risk in the former Commonwealth state, as in other travel hotspots across the globe. 

The Foreign Office advises: “Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Trinidad & Tobago. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners.

“There’s a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria.”

The Foreign Office warns more than 100 Trinidad and Tobago nationals have visited Syria and Iraq to fight with ISIS. Fighters returning to their homeland are likely to “pose a security risk”.

Other terror groups including al Qaeda also pose a threat due to their influence on lone wolf attackers. 

The Foreign Office said: “There’s also a threat from individuals who may have been inspired by terrorist groups, including Daesh and al Qaeda, to carry out so-called ‘lone actor’ attacks targeting public events or places.”

Trinidad and Tobago is working with Britain, along with countries including the USA and Canada, to fight extremism via an intelligence-sharing agreement. 

British tourists should also be wary of violent, non- related criminals during visits to Trinidad and Tobago. 

The Foreign Office highlighted the April 2016 case in which a British national was murdered in a violent robbery. 

It said: “There are high levels of violent crime in Trinidad, including murder, especially in parts of the capital Port of Spain. A British national was murdered after being robbed at gunpoint in the Mt D’Or area of Mt Hope in Trinidad on 10 April 2016. 

“Robbery and other crimes targeting tourists have also occurred elsewhere in Trinidad and Tobago.”

Trinidad and Tobago was previously a Commonwealth state before it became a republic in 1976. The early 1970s had been marked by civil rights protests. 

Nearly half a million tourists visit Trinidad and Tobago every year, with most visiting from December to February during winter months in the northern hemisphere.