Authorities in Trinidad and Tobago declared a nationwide state of emergency on Monday following a series of killings linked to gang violence.

The decision came after what a local official described as an “outbreak of gang violence” over the weekend, resulting in multiple public shootings.

Authorities believe the retaliatory shootings are between rival gangs vying for territory in the capital, Port of Spain.

The dual island nation has recorded hundreds of murders related to gang violence this year.