The Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar have issued statements commemorating the 35th anniversary of the 1990 attempted coup, reflecting on the trauma and resilience that followed one of the most harrowing chapters in the nation’s history.
On July 27, 1990, members of the Jamaat al Muslimeen, a radical Islamist group led by Yasin Abu Bakr, launched an armed insurrection against the democratically elected government. They stormed the Red House—Trinidad and Tobago’s Parliament—taking Prime Minister A.N.R. Robinson and several Cabinet members hostage. Simultaneously, another group seized control of the state-owned television station, Trinidad and Tobago Television (TTT), using it to announce that the government had been overthrown.
The siege lasted six days, during which 24 people were killed, dozens injured, and Port of Spain was left in chaos. Prime Minister Robinson, who was shot in the leg after reportedly urging soldiers to “attack with full force,” and other officials were eventually released after the insurgents surrendered under an amnesty agreement.
In its media release, the Parliament described the events as plunging the country into “the abyss of uncertainty and violence.” It acknowledged the lives lost, those injured, and the deep psychological scars left on the national conscience.
“The effects of this traumatic episode still echoes today. Yet, even amidst the horror and confusion, there emerged resilience and courage,” the statement read. The Parliament paid tribute to those who endured immense physical and psychological trauma and continued to serve the Republic “with honour and dignity.”
It emphasized that the people of Trinidad and Tobago rejected violence and stood firm in defense of democracy. “Those who believed the public would support this violent misadventure gravely misjudged the strength of our democratic convictions,” it noted.
The Parliament also recognized the efforts of police, defence force personnel, public servants, medical workers, media personnel, and parliamentarians who “went beyond the call of duty” during the crisis.
“Though the passage of time may blur details, we must never forget. Remembrance ensures that history is not lost to silence. It acknowledges the pain of the past while preserving the truth for future generations,” the statement concluded.
