Mass Grave in Trinidad, 50 Babies Found

A.J. Pike 

Trinidad and Tobago - The remains of 50 babies and six adults were found dumped in a mass grave in Cumuto Cemetery on the island of Trinidad, in Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday, April 18, 2026, according to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS). Preliminary indications suggest that this may be a case involving the unlawful disposal of unclaimed corpses. 

Trinidad and Tobago declared a state of emergency in March due to a spike in violent criminal activity. It is reported that the Caribbean nation has spent 10 of the last 14 months under an emergency where over 60 murders have taken place so far in 2026.

On Thursday April 16, 2026, the U.S. Embassy released a travel advisory for Trinidad and Tobago due to crime and a “heightened risk of terrorism” as well as health risks in rural areas.  

Four of the adult bodies were male, while two were female. One male and one female showed signs of a prior post-mortem (autopsy). All of the adult remains, aside from one male, had identification toe tags, such as those found in morgues.

“The nature of this discovery is deeply troubling, and we understand the emotional impact it will have on families and the wider national community,” said Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro. “The TTPS is approaching this matter with urgency, sensitivity and unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth,” he continued. “Every cadaver must be handled with dignity and lawful care. Any individual or institution found to have violated that duty will be held fully accountable.”

Cumuto is about 25 miles from the country’s capital, Port of Spain. The English- speaking Caribbean nation, which is made up of two islands that lie about 6 miles off the coast of Venezuela, has struggled with gang violence in recent years, particularly since the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Last month, Prime Minister Kamala Persad-Bissessar’s government extended a state of emergency that was first imposed in December 2024.

“My government will continue its zero-tolerance approach to crime and criminal gangs,” said the Prime Minister. “I had previously warned criminal gangs and detainees released from prison that decent law-abiding citizens are fed up with their criminality, and if they cannot behave themselves, I would have no hesitation in having another state of emergency declared….If criminals want to terrorize law-abiding citizens and their families, I will do everything legally possible to terrorize criminals and those who aid and abet them.”

The country, which is home to 1.5 million people, registered 623 murders in 2024. 

The U.S. State Department said the country was the sixth most dangerous in the world in 2023, with a murder rate of 37 per 100,000.

TTPS said they were working to determine the identities and origin of the human remains and any associated breaches of law or procedure.