Port of Spain – Authorities in Trinidad and Tobago have launched an investigation after the remains of at least 50 infants and six adults were discovered dumped at a graveyard in the town of Cumuto, police said.
The site, located about 40km (25 miles) from the capital Port of Spain on the island of Trinidad, was identified during a police operation, according to a statement from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS).
Police said preliminary findings suggest the case may involve the “unlawful disposal of unclaimed corpses.” It remains unclear how long the bodies had been at the site or who was responsible.
Authorities also confirmed that five of the six adult bodies—four men and two women—had identification tags attached. Two of them showed signs of having undergone post-mortem examinations.
Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro described the discovery as “deeply troubling,” adding that anyone found responsible, including individuals or institutions, would be held fully accountable.
The investigation is ongoing as forensic teams work to determine the origins and circumstances surrounding the remains.
It is not yet known whether the incident is linked to gang-related activity in Trinidad and Tobago, a country that has one of the highest murder rates in Latin America and the Caribbean.
A nationwide state of emergency, granting police expanded powers of search and arrest, has been in place since 2 March and has been repeatedly extended.
The United States has issued multiple travel advisories for the country, citing rising crime levels and a “heightened risk of terrorism,” although officials note that violent crime has reportedly declined since 2024 following increased security measures.