Part 10/12:
Trinidad and Tobago presents a different but equally troubling case. Stemming from its colonial past and economic shifts towards oil and gas, the islands have seen a significant rise in gang activity since the 1970s. Drug trafficking routes and gang rivalries have flourished, with over 100 gangs currently operating under two major factions: the Muslims and Rasta City.
Amid increasing violence, the government has taken steps to negotiate peace treaties, recognizing gang leaders as community figures that provide security in neglected neighborhoods. However, reliance on gangs for social services creates a violent paradox, as it legitimizes their power while inviting further conflict, exacerbated by competitive territorial claims.