Authorities in Trinidad and Tobago are urgently investigating after discovering at least 50 infant bodies and six adults dumped in a cemetery in Cumuto. It is suspected to be an illegal disposal of corpses. The Police Commissioner emphasized that those responsible for this unlawful and inhumane handling of bodies must be held accountable.
The Trinidad and Tobago National Police disclosed the discovery at a cemetery in Cumuto, approximately 40 kilometers from the capital city, Port of Spain. Officials found the lifeless bodies of at least 50 infants and six adults (four men and two women) abandoned there.
Preliminary investigations revealed that five of the six adult bodies had identification tags, and two showed signs of previous autopsies. Police suspect this may be an "illegal clandestine disposal of unclaimed bodies." However, authorities have not ruled out possible links to gang-related violence in the country, which has one of the highest murder rates in Latin America and the Caribbean.
National Police Commissioner, Police Commissioner Alister Guevara, described the incident as "extremely concerning," and firmly declared that any individuals or institutions involved in neglecting their duties or violating laws related to corpse management will face full prosecution.
Currently, Trinidad and Tobago have been under a state of emergency since 2 March, granting special powers to police for searches and arrests amid a mafia gang violence crisis. In 2024, this nation of 1.5 million recorded 623 murders.
The U.S. Department of State issued a travel warning for the country, citing ongoing crime risks as a major challenge. Although violence has somewhat decreased compared to 2024 due to stricter security measures, in 2023 the U.S. ranked Trinidad and Tobago as the 6th most dangerous country worldwide, with a murder rate of 37 per 100,000 people.
Officials are now urgently investigating the origin of the numerous infant bodies to determine whether they were sent from medical facilities or linked to other illegal operations.
.SourceBBC