“At 6 p.m. this afternoon, the government of Trinidad and Tobago was overthrown. The Prime Minister and members of the cabinet are under arrest. We are asking everybody to remain calm. The revolutionary forces are commanded to control the streets.” - Yasin Abu Bakr, July 27, 1990
Twenty-five years ago this month, more than 100 members of the Muslim militant group, Jamaat al Muslimeen, stormed the parliament and television headquarters of Trinidad and Tobago in an attempt to overthrow the government. Led by Yasin Abu Bakr, the takeover is known as the coup attempt of 1990. Several parliamentarians and Prime Minister A.N.R. Robinson were held hostage while Abu Bakr claimed to negotiate a transition of power with the army. After six days of a state of emergency, looting and martial law, the Muslimeen surrendered on August 1st.
The failed coup resulted in 24 deaths and millions of dollars in damage. Muslimeen members were tried for treason but an amnesty agreement in exchange for his surrender meant Yasin Abu Bakr remains a free man today.
On Friday, Yasin Abu Bakr stood before a crowd of supporters and onlookers in Port of Spain’s Woodford Square to proclaim what he says is the real reason behind the coup. The story has been told before, but this time he implicated prominent ministers by name. He alleges that months before the failed coup, a police officer by the name of Bernadette James approached him, fearing for her life and seeking protection after witnessing several governmental officials and parliamentarians trafficking cocaine at the V.I.P lounge of the country’s airport.
Days later, James was shot and killed. She was the sole victim of what was reported as a freak accident during a police exercise. However the circumstances surrounding her death led many to believe she was murdered.
Having knowledge of James’ meeting with him, Abu Bakr alleges the police force and government officials involved then plotted his assassination and a takedown of the Muslimeen. Therefore, according to Abu Bakr, the coup was both self defense from government force and a tactic to bring those responsible for James’ death to justice.
25 Years Later: Why Does It Matter?
Yasin Abu Bakr is still the leader of the Jamaat al Muslimeen (Society of Muslims) and the U.S. government has closely monitored the group for suspected ties to drug trafficking, gun walking and terrorism.
But Abu Bakr is also widely regarded as an influential voice in the Muslims street gang currently engaged in violent battles with its rivals, Rasta City. Both gangs are believed to work with cartels in funneling illegal guns and narcotics into Trinidad. Abu Bakr denies any connection to the Muslim gang and the Jamaat al Muslimeen. Here are excepts from his speech Friday addressing both gangs:
“There are many young people who have pronounced themselves as Muslim. They do not belong to the Jamaat al Muslimeen. They do the very same thing that the Rasta City do. They sell drugs. And they say they are Muslims to get the cover of Jamaat al Muslimeen. Well today I have said it publicly: they do not belong to Jamaat al Muslimeen and they have no protection whatsoever from Jamaat al Muslimeen.”
“You foolish, stupid men. Calling yourselves Rasta City. How can you have a city when you don’t have a country?”
In the last five years, Trinidad experienced a nationwide curfew due to violence, mysterious shipments of narcotics unclaimed at the port, corruption scandals of prominent ministers and the assassination of the country’s top prosecutor. Last year rumors of another coup plot by the Muslimeen sent locals into a panic. As the years since the 1990 coup attempt pass, one thing most Trinidadians agree on is its lingering impact on the political, social and cultural climate in the country. Some even wonder if history might be repeating itself.
