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The Six-Day Siege: When an Islamist Coup Unfolded Live on Television in Trinidad
In July 1990, the Jamaat al Muslimeen, a radical Black Muslim group, attempted a violent coup in Trinidad and Tobago. They stormed parliament, took the Prime Minister hostage, and announced control on live TV, leading to six days of chaos before their surrender.
An Unthinkable Outbreak in Paradise
The Caribbean is often synonymous with idyllic beaches, vibrant culture, and laid-back lifestyles. But on July 27, 1990, the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago was plunged into a crisis that shattered this image. For six days, the world watched as a radical Islamist group, the Jamaat al Muslimeen, held the nation's government hostage in a brazen and televised coup attempt that left deep, lasting scars on the national psyche.
The Seeds of Discontent
The coup did not happen in a vacuum. By 1990, Trinidad and Tobago was grappling with severe economic hardship. An International Monetary Fund (IMF) Structural Adjustment Program had led to austerity measures, including a 10% cut in public sector salaries and the suspension of cost-of-living allowances. This fueled widespread social unrest and a sense of desperation among the populace. At the center of the storm was the Jamaat al Muslimeen, a group led by Yasin Abu Bakr, a former police officer. The group, comprised mostly of Afro-Trinidadian converts to Islam, presented itself as a force for social justice, fighting against government corruption and drug trafficking. Their primary grievance, however, stemmed from a protracted land dispute with the state over their headquarters in Port of Spain. Tensions had been simmering for years, and on that fateful Friday, they boiled over.
July 27, 1990: Chaos Unleashed
In a coordinated attack, 114 members of the Jamaat al Muslimeen launched their insurrection. One group stormed the Red House, the seat of Parliament, taking Prime Minister A.N.R. Robinson and most of his cabinet hostage. In the chaos, Robinson was shot in the leg and beaten. Simultaneously, another group seized the headquarters of the state-run Trinidad and Tobago Television (TTT). A calm Abu Bakr appeared on the evening news broadcast, announcing that the government had been overthrown and that he was in negotiations with the army. He urged the public to remain calm, but his message had the opposite effect. While under duress, Prime Minister Robinson courageously whispered an order to the military to “attack with full force,” a command that demonstrated his refusal to yield.
A City in Flames
The announcement of the coup triggered a massive breakdown of law and order in the capital, Port of Spain. With the police force focused on the hostage crisis, widespread looting and arson erupted. Businesses were ransacked and buildings were set ablaze, causing an estimated $200 million in damages. For many Trinidadians, the memory of the coup is inseparable from the fires and chaos that engulfed their capital. The siege lasted for six days, resulting in the deaths of 24 people and injuring hundreds more.
A Standoff and a Controversial Surrender
After days of tense negotiations and with their position untenable, Abu Bakr and his men surrendered on August 1st. Their surrender was secured by a promise of amnesty, a deal that would become one of the most controversial chapters of the saga. The insurgents were arrested, but they immediately challenged their detention based on the amnesty agreement. In a stunning legal battle that went all the way to the Privy Council in London, the amnesty was eventually deemed invalid. However, the courts also ruled that to try the men after this process would be an abuse of power. Consequently, Abu Bakr and the 113 other insurgents were released and never faced conviction for treason.
Legacy and Lingering Questions
The 1990 coup attempt remains a pivotal and traumatic event in Trinidad and Tobago's history. It exposed deep social and economic fissures and served as a stark warning about the fragility of democracy. Yasin Abu Bakr remained a prominent and controversial public figure until his death in 2021, never fully escaping the shadow of his actions. For Trinidadians, the event is not just a historical footnote; it's a living memory of a time when their nation was pushed to the brink, all while unfolding live on their television screens. The looting, the fear, and the ultimate, complicated resolution have left an indelible mark on the nation's identity.