LONDON, United Kingdom (CMC) — The United Kingdom (UK) Government says more than 180 gangs with various sizes and reaches operate throughout Trinidad and Tobago with the most prominent of which are the Muslims and Rasta City.

“Gangs are mainly present in marginalised urban areas, particularly in and around the capital, Port of Spain, and the east-west corridor in Trinidad,” according to a report issued by the Home Office, adding that as of 2025, gangs are responsible for around one-third of homicides in the country.

“A person who fears a gang is not likely to be able to demonstrate a link to the Refugee Convention on grounds of political opinion. However, those who make a public or visible stand against the gangs are likely to form a particular social group.”

In its June report, the Home Office said that gang violence specific to the situation in El Salvador at the time of the judgement and the current situation in Trinidad and Tobago merit comparison.

“Both have high levels of crime dominated by gangs which have de facto control over certain communities and have sought to influence the state,” the report states, noting however, there are significant differences between the two countries.

It said that Trinidad and Tobago has a more diverse criminal landscape with over 180 criminal gangs operating across the country, some of whom confine their control and operations to a single street. As a result, gangs in Trinidad and Tobago are not as dominant as the MS-13 and Barrio 18 were in El Salvador.

“Gangs in Trinidad and Tobago are reported to be absolutely and relatively smaller, approximately 1,750 members, or less than one per cent of the total population than the MS-13 and Barrio 18 were in El Salvador with 60,000 members and one per cent of the total population.”

The report also states that in El Salvador, gangs sought to influence the state.

“Whilst there is limited detailed information about the areas that gangs exert influence over in Trinidad and Tobago, sources indicated that they are mainly present in marginalised urban areas. Although there have been reports of government contracts being given to gang leaders in these areas, evidence does not suggest that this influence extends outside of the areas under their control or that it is widespread or systematic.”

The report states that on the available evidence, the situations are sufficiently different to conclude that gangs in Trinidad and Tobago are not “political actors”.

Bit it notes that a person who fears a gang may belong to a particular social group (PSG) under the Refugee Convention where they have an innate characteristic or a common background that cannot be changed, or share a characteristic or belief that is so fundamental to identity or conscience that a person should not be forced to renounce it and a distinct identity in Trinidad and Tobago because the group is perceived as being different by the surrounding society.

The Home Office said that people likely to form a PSG are those who make a public or visible stand against the gangs, including those who have not complied with a gang’s rules or demands, or otherwise openly oppose the gang or disrespects a gang leader.

“Although the above form a PSG, establishing such membership is not sufficient to be recognised as a refugee. The question to be addressed is whether the person has a well-founded fear of persecution on account of their membership of such a group.”

On March 12, 2025, the United Kingdom Government imposed an immediate visitor visa requirement for all nationals of Trinidad and Tobago, ending decades of visa-free travel and applies to all short visits, including tourism, business and transits through the UK.

London said the sudden policy shift was triggered by a significant surge in unjustified asylum applications and misuse of the UK immigration system by travellers from Trinidad and Tobago.