State of emergency

A state of emergency is a special time when a government can make quick decisions to keep people safe. Governments can do this before, during, or after big problems like natural disasters, civil unrest, armed conflicts, medical pandemics or epidemics, or other biosecurity risks. During a state of emergency, leaders might change rules or take special actions that they usually cannot do.

Members of the Royal Malay Regiment during the Malayan Emergency in 1949, inspecting equipment captured in a raid

This helps protect citizens when normal ways are not enough. It is used to manage serious situations and make sure everyone stays safe. Governments use this power carefully because it is a big responsibility.

Relationship with international law

During a state of emergency, some rights and freedoms might be paused under international law. This depends on how serious the emergency is and the choices a government makes.

Use and viewpoints

In democracies, a state of emergency helps manage big problems like severe weather or public unrest. Some governments may use this power for a very long time, which can take away people’s rights that are usually protected by international laws.

International groups have suggested rules to make sure emergencies are used fairly and only when needed. These rules include making sure the emergency is lawful, announced properly, and limited in time.

Sometimes, a state of emergency can be used to change or remove a country’s constitution. For example, during an attempted takeover in the Soviet Union in August 1991, leaders claimed a state of emergency, but the attempt failed and led to the end of the Soviet Union.

Law in selected countries

Albania

The Constitution of Albania allows only the Parliament of Albania to declare a state of emergency, based on advice from the government. This state of emergency can last for up to 60 days and may be extended by the parliament for no more than 90 days.

Argentina

The Constitution of Argentina has always allowed for a state of emergency to be declared if the constitution or the authorities it creates are endangered by internal unrest or foreign attack. This power was sometimes misused during past dictatorships. The American Convention on Human Rights, adopted in 1969 and ratified by Argentina in 1984, requires any nation declaring a state of emergency to inform other signatories of its circumstances and duration, and which rights are affected.

Australia

State-of-emergency laws differ by state in Australia. In times of emergency, areas affected by natural disasters are managed by the state until a State of Emergency is declared, allowing access to federal funds for recovery. A State of Emergency does not cover the whole state but specific districts or shires.

On 18 March 2020, Australia declared a nationwide human biosecurity emergency due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This was done under the Biosecurity Act 2015, which allows the governor-general of Australia to declare such an emergency if the Health Minister believes a listed human disease is a severe and immediate threat. The declaration gives the Minister broad powers, including restricting movement and evacuations. It was declared by the Governor-General, David Hurley.

Brazil

The current constitution of Brazil allows the president to declare two types of states to maintain peace and order during serious threats or natural disasters. The first is a state of defense, and the more severe is a state of siege.

Brunei

The 1959 constitution allows the Sultan of Brunei to declare a state of emergency at national or local levels. The sultan can extend or cancel the state of emergency after two years. Under emergency rule, the sultan can issue decrees that have the force of law.

Canada

The federal government of Canada can use the Emergencies Act to invoke a state of emergency. Different levels of emergencies include Public Welfare, Public Order, International, and War Emergencies. The Emergencies Act replaced the older War Measures Act in 1988. The Emergencies Act was first used by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in February 2022 in response to protests in the capital, Ottawa.

Egypt

States of emergency in Egypt are managed by Law 1958/162. This law gives more power to the police, suspends some constitutional rights, and allows media censorship and detention without trial.

Ethiopia

Article 93 of the Constitution of Ethiopia allows for a six-month state of emergency under certain conditions.

Finland

The Finnish Government, with the President of Finland, can declare a state of emergency. This can only happen when all other legal options have been tried. The most recent state of emergency was declared in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

France

France has several ways to declare a state of emergency, including through the Constitution and specific laws. These have been used during times like the Algerian War, the 2005 riots, the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks, and the 2024 unrest in New Caledonia.

Germany

The Weimar Constitution allowed states of emergency, which were often used before World War II. After the war, new laws were created to limit these powers and protect basic rights.

Hong Kong (China)

Hong Kong can declare a State of Emergency under certain conditions, such as threats to national security. The Chief Executive of Hong Kong has powers to control public gatherings and movements during emergencies.

Hungary

In May 2022, Hungary changed its constitution to allow the government to declare a "state of danger" due to conflicts or crises in neighboring countries. The current Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán, used this power due to the situation in Ukraine.

India

The President of India can declare a State of Emergency when the nation faces serious threats. This power is given by Part XVIII of the Constitution of India. India has had states of emergency declared twice, once during the Sino-Indian War and once during the Indo-Pakistani War.

Ireland

Ireland can declare a state of national emergency under its Constitution. This has been done during wars and rebellions. Ireland declared an emergency during World War II, even though the country remained neutral.

Israel

Israel has had emergency regulations since the British Mandate period. These regulations were kept after Israel became independent and have been used to control movements and publications during times of conflict.

Italy

Italy allows the government to declare a state of emergency without a parliamentary vote in certain situations. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Italy declared a state of emergency to manage the crisis.

Macau (China)

Macau can declare a state of emergency under its Basic Law, allowing the deployment of troops from the People's Liberation Army Macau Garrison if needed.

Malaysia

Malaysia can declare a state of emergency if the King believes there is a serious threat to security, economic life, or public order. This has been done several times, including during communist insurgencies, racial riots, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Maldives

The Maldives declared a state of emergency after the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami and again in 2018 when the president ordered the arrest of judges and former leaders.

New Zealand

New Zealand can declare a state of emergency under the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002. This has been done several times, including after earthquakes, the COVID-19 pandemic, and Cyclone Gabrielle.

Nigeria

Nigeria often declares states of emergency during major civil unrest or terrorist attacks, such as those by Boko Haram. A nationwide security emergency was declared in 2025 due to increasing kidnappings and terrorist attacks.

Pakistan

Pakistan has declared a state of emergency five times in its history, each time by the President. The first three were considered direct martial law.

Philippines

The Philippines has various states of emergency, including war, martial law, rebellion, and public health emergencies. These have been declared several times, including during World War II, the COVID-19 pandemic, and energy crises.

Portugal

Portugal's Constitution allows the President to declare a state of siege or emergency in cases of foreign aggression, serious threats to democratic order, or public disasters. These states have time limits and require consultation with the Government and approval from the Assembly of the Republic.

Poland

Poland allows the President to declare a state of emergency for up to 90 days if there is a threat to security, citizens, or public order. The President can extend it once for another 60 days with approval from the Sejm.

Letter from the Portuguese President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, to the Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic, Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, requesting Parliament for authorisation under the terms of the Constitution, for a declaration of the state of emergency in the context of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic

Romania

Romania has a special zone of public safety that can be enforced by local police during civil unrest. This was last used in 2013 during protests against shale-gas exploration.

Russia

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone declared a State of Emergency in February 2019 due to rape and sexual violence and again in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Singapore

Singapore can declare a state of emergency under its Constitution if there is a security or economic threat. The country has experienced states of emergency during the Malayan Emergency and the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation.

South Africa

South Africa’s Constitution and the State of Emergency Act, 1997 govern states of emergency. The president can declare a state of emergency if the nation's life is threatened by war, invasion, insurrection, disorder, natural disaster, or other public emergencies.

Spain

Spain has three levels of state of emergency: alert, exception, and siege. These were declared during an air traffic controllers’ strike in 2010 and due to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, the president can proclaim emergency regulations to maintain public security and order, suppress mutiny or riot, or ensure essential supplies and services.

Switzerland

Switzerland’s Federal Council can deploy up to 4,000 militia members for three weeks to maintain security, with larger deployments requiring parliamentary approval.

Syria

Syria had an emergency law from 1963 until 2011, which was terminated due to protests that led to the Syrian Civil War. The current constitution allows the president to issue emergency decrees with ministerial approval and present them to the People's Assembly for review.

Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago’s Constitution allows the president, on advice of the prime minister, to declare a state of public emergency due to war, natural disasters, or threats to public safety. States of emergency have been declared during civil unrest, coup attempts, constitutional crises, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Turkey

Since 1923, Turkey has had military coups and states of emergency. The latest state of emergency was declared in 2016 after a failed coup attempt and was lifted in 2018.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom can declare emergency regulations under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 in cases of war, terrorist threats, or events threatening human welfare or the environment. These regulations last for thirty days but can be extended by Parliament.

United States

The United States Constitution gives some emergency powers to Congress and the President. Many federal laws activate only when the President declares an emergency. State governors and local mayors can also declare emergencies, often for natural disasters. In 2020, many states declared emergencies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2025, Los Angeles County declared a state of emergency due to federal actions against immigrants.

Venezuela

Examples

Active in 2026

On 1 April 2026, the municipal government of Bongao in Tawi-Tawi, Philippines, declared a state of local emergency due to a critical fuel supply shortage, which disrupted their transportation, fishing operations, delivery of basic goods, and essential government services. The declaration authorized the use of local calamity funds and emergency response measures.
On 24 March 2026, the President of the Philippines, Bongbong Marcos, declared a state of national energy emergency due to a energy crisis in the country because of the closure of Strait of Hormuz amid the 2026 Iran war.

Active in 2025

On 16 February 2025, the Governor of West Virginia in the United States, Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency due to severe flooding across southern West Virginia.

Active in 2024

On 30 December 2024, President of Trinidad and Tobago Christine Kangaloo issued the declaration of a state of emergency on the advice of Prime Minister Keith Rowley over surging violence as weapons from the United States fuel a crime wave around the Caribbean.
On 26 July 2024, then-Governor of West Virginia in the United States, Jim Justice declared a state of emergency due to an ongoing severe drought. The declaration was originally supposed to last for 30 days; but was later extended on 23 August 2024 for an additional 30 days.
On 26 March 2024, the Governor of Maryland in the United States, Wes Moore declared a state of emergency due to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
On 14 January 2024, the Governor of Kentucky in the United States, Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency due to the severe winter storms.
On 11 January 2024, Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape declared a state of emergency due to the 2024 Papua New Guinean unrest.

Active in 2023

On 10 November 2023, Icelandic authorities declared a state of emergency after a series of powerful earthquakes rocked the country's southwestern Reykjanes peninsula, signalling the increased likelihood of a volcanic eruption in the region. The village of Grindavík was ordered to evacuate due to the imminent volcanic eruption of the Fagradalsfjall volcano.
On 4 August 2023, Ethiopia's Council of Ministers declared a state of emergency in the Amhara region after clashes between regional armed forces and the military.
On 7 February 2023, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared a three-month-long state of emergency in 10 cities due to the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake.

Active in 2022

On 5 January 2022, Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared a state of emergency due to the 2022 Kazakh protests.
On 6 February 2022, Ottawa's Mayor Jim Watson declared a state of emergency due to the Freedom Convoy protests.
On 11 February 2022, Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency due to the Freedom Convoy protests.
On 23 February 2022, Ukraine announced in response to the Russian invasion of its territory that it would declare a nationwide state of emergency, excluding the occupied territories in Donbas. On the same day, Russia began evacuating its embassy in Kyiv and lowered the Russian flag from the top of the building.
On 24 February 2022, Moldova announced that it will declare a nationwide state of emergency in response to the invasion, as thousands of Ukrainians flee into Moldovan territory.
On 24 February 2022, Lithuania declared a state of emergency due to possible disturbances and provocations as large military forces massed in Russia and Belarus.
On 26 March 2022, El Salvador declared a state of emergency after 62 people were murdered, making it the most violent day since the end of the civil war in 1992.
On 2 April 2022, Sri Lanka's President Gotabaya Rajapaksa declared a state of emergency due to the 2022 Sri Lankan protests.
On 14 April 2022, Georgia's Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency due to supply chain disruptions and the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 16 May 2022, Poland Minister of Health Adam Niedzielski declared a state of epidemic threat for COVID-19.
On 24 May 2022, Hungary declared a state of emergency due to the economic impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
On 18 June 2022, Ecuador declared a state of emergency due to the 2022 Ecuadorian protests.
On 2 July 2022, Uzbekistan declared a state of emergency due to the 2022 Karakalpak protests.
On 4 July 2022, Italy declared a state of emergency in five northern regions due to a severe drought, one of the worst of the decade.
On 11 July 2022, Portugal declared a state of emergency due to forest fires.
On 15 July 2022, the UK declared a national emergency following extreme Red Weather Heatwave warnings that indicated a danger to life.
On 28 July 2022, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency due to historic flooding in Eastern Kentucky.
On 25 August 2022, Pakistan declared a state of emergency because of the flooding.

Active in 2021

On 1 February 2021, following a military coup in Myanmar, Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces of Myanmar and the new State Leader, declared a state of emergency lasting one year.
On 15 May 2021, following a mass surge in the number of deaths and COVID-19 infections, no hospital beds being available and a lack of COVID-19 vaccines, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Keith Rowley, declared a state of emergency due to the rapid and deadly spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Trinidad and Tobago, noted as being one of the worst in the world.
On 2 September 2021, Poland declared a state of emergency in the terrain surrounding Belarus–Poland border. The request was motivated by – according to the government – possible threats to security and public order in part of the territory of Poland. It covered 183 localities near the Belarusian border: 115 in Podlaskie Voivodeship and 68 in Lublin Voivodeship
On 15 September 2021, Alberta declared a state of public health emergency to protect their health care system, which had become in crisis because of COVID-19.
On 2 November 2021, Ethiopia declared a state of emergency aimed to protect civilians from atrocities being committed by the Tigray People's Liberation Front in several parts of the country.
On 10 November 2021, Lithuania declared a state of emergency in the border region of Belarus-Lithuania border due to the 2021 Belarus–European Union border crisis.
On 11 December 2021, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency for parts of western Kentucky due to the Tornado outbreak of December 10–11, 2021.

Active in 2020

On 9 October 2020, Kyrgyzstan's President Sooronbay Jeenbekov declared a state of emergency due to the 2020 Kyrgyzstan protests.
On 25 August 2020, Wisconsin's Governor Tony Evers declared a state of emergency due to Kenosha unrest.
On 18 August 2020, California's Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency because of the multiple wildfires being battled across the state.
On 5 August 2020, Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab declared a state of emergency after the 2020 Beirut explosion.
On 6 July 2020, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency for the George Floyd protests.
On 31 May 2020, Missouri Governor Mike Parson declared a state of emergency for the George Floyd protests.
On 31 May 2020, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency for the George Floyd protests.
On 31 May 2020, Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency for the George Floyd protests.
On 31 May 2020, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency for the George Floyd protests.
On 31 May 2020, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey declared a state of emergency for the George Floyd protests.
On 28 May 2020, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz declared a state of emergency for the George Floyd protests.
On 9 April 2020, Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 7 April 2020, Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared a national emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 25 March 2020, New Zealand Minister for Civil Defence Peeni Henare declared a National State Of Emergency for COVID-19.
On 25 March 2020, Prime Minister of Thailand Prayut Chan-o-cha declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
On 22 March 2020, Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
On 21 March 2020, Kyrgyzstan Prime Minister Mukhammedkalyi Abylgaziev declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
On 20 March 2020, Poland Minister of Health Łukasz Szumowski declared a state of the epidemic for COVID-19.
On 18 March 2020, Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
On 18 March 2020, Portugal President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa declared a state of emergency for COVID-19. It was renewed twice (2 and 17 April) in the constitutionally mandated 15-day periods, lasting until 1 minute before midnight on 2 May 2020. Beginning midnight, 3 May 2020, the country is now in a "situation of calamity" (Portuguese: situação de calamidade), a different status enshrined in the Basic Law of Civil Protection, which allows for restrictions on circulation or conditioning in the operation of certain establishments, but not the suspension of constitutional rights and freedoms as with the state of emergency.
On 18 March 2020, North Macedonia President Stevo Pendarovski declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
On 17 March 2020, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney declares public health emergency for COVID-19.
On 17 March 2020, Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
On 17 March 2020, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared all of the Philippines to be in a state of calamity following a dramatic rise in cases of COVID-19; the declaration was eventually lifted in September 2022.
On 16 March 2020, Government of Armenia declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
On 15 March 2020, President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
On 15 March 2020, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
On 14 March 2020, Quebec Premier Francois Legault declares public health emergency for COVID-19.
On 14 March 2020, Poland Minister of Health Łukasz Szumowski declared a state of epidemic threat for COVID-19.
On 13 March 2020, Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sánchez announced the declaration of the state of emergency in the nation for a period of 15 days, to become effective next day after the approval of the Council of Ministers for the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain.
On 13 March 2020, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic
- On 15 March 2020, Maine Governor Janet Mills declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
- On 13 March 2020, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
- On 13 March 2020, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
- On 13 March 2020, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey declared a state of public health emergency for COVID-19.
- On 12 March 2020, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
- On 12 March 2020, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
- On 12 March 2020, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
- On 11 March 2020, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
- On 11 March 2020, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
- On 10 March 2020, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
- On 10 March 2020, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
- On 10 March 2020, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
- On 10 March 2020, Colorado Governor Jared Polis declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
- On 9 March 2020, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
- On 9 March 2020, Ohio Governor Mike Dewine declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
- On 8 March 2020, Oregon Governor Kate Brown declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
- On 7 March 2020, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
- On 6 March 2020, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
- On 6 March 2020, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
- On 5 March 2020, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
- On 4 March 2020. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
- On 29 February 2020, Washington Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.
- On 29 February 2020, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for COVID-19.

Past states of emergency

On 14 February 2023, New Zealand's Minister of Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty declared a national state of emergency following severe and widespread impacts from Ex-Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle. The state of emergency was lifted on 14 March.
On 12 January 2021, a national state of emergency was declared by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia Al-Sultan Abdullah to curb the spread of COVID-19. The state of emergency was lifted on 1 August.
On 7 January 2021, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declared the second state of emergency for the COVID-19 in several prefectures. It was lifted on 22 March.
On 14 January 2021, New Mexico's Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency in preparation of Inauguration of Joe Biden.
On 15 January 2021, Maryland's Governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency in preparation of Inauguration of Joe Biden.
On 6 January 2021, Virginia's Governor Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency due to the attack at the United States Capitol.
On 11 January 2021, outgoing President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency for two weeks in Washington, DC, in preparation of the inauguration of Joe Biden.
On 15 October 2020, Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha declared a state of extreme emergency in Bangkok due to 2020 Thai protests. and was lifted on 22 October.
On 7 April 2020, Japan Prime Minister Shinzō Abe declared a national emergency for the COVID-19.
On 21 March 2020, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili declared a state of emergency for COVID-19. The state of emergency was extended for one month, starting on 22 April 2020, and expired on 23 May 2020.
On 19 March 2020, the Moroccan government declared a "state of health emergency" for COVID-19, to take effect the following day (20 March).
In November 2019, New South Wales, Australia, declared a seven-day state of emergency, granting "emergency powers" to fire-fighting agencies due to major bushfires occurring in the state.
In October 2019, Ecuador declared a 60-day state of emergency after violent protests following the ending of fuel subsidies.
On 18 October 2019, a state of emergency was declared in the capital of Chile, Santiago, after violent protests broke out in response to the rising cost of living. This state of emergency was later extended to other cities in the country. The state of emergency was lifted on 27 October 2019.
At midnight on 23 April 2019, a state of emergency was declared across Sri Lanka following multiple bomb attacks on churches, luxury hotels and other locations across the country in which 253 people were killed and more than 500 injured. After being extended three times, the state of emergency was lifted on 25 August 2019.
On 15 February 2019, President Donald Trump declared a national emergency on the U.S. border with Mexico to allocate funds towards a border wall.
In March 2018 a state of emergency was imposed in Sri Lanka in Kandy for 10 days following clashes between Sinhalese and Muslims.
In February 2018, Ethiopia declared a six-month-long state of emergency following the resignation of Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.
Following the 2017 Palm Sunday church bombings in Egypt, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi declared a nationwide three-month-long state of emergency.
On 12 August 2017, a state of emergency was declared in the U.S. state of Virginia due to escalating tensions amid protesters and counter-protesters in Charlottesville.
On 4 September 2016, a state of emergency was declared in the Philippines by President Rodrigo Duterte via Proclamation No. 55 following the 2 September bombings in Davao City that killed 14 people and seriously wounded at least 60 others. His successor, Bongbong Marcos, lifted the declaration through Proclamation No. 298, issued on 25 July 2023.
On 28 June 2016, Namibia declared a state of emergency due to an ongoing drought.
On 12 June 2016, following the Orlando nightclub shooting in which at least 50 people were killed (including the shooter), the Governor of Florida declared a state of emergency in the immediate Orlando area.
In May 2016, Venezuela declared a 60-day state of emergency due to mass protests against the government of President Nicolás Maduro, further fueled by the impeachment process against Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, which Maduro believes is the result of an American conspiracy to overthrow him.
On 22 November 2015, a state of emergency was declared in Russian-occupied Crimea after pylons in Ukraine were blown up, leaving 1,896,000 people without power.
France declared a state of emergency in response to the November 2015 Paris attacks which after five extensions ended in November 2017.
On 27 April 2015 the U.S. state of Maryland declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard of the United States, as a direct result of the rioting and widespread physical violence during protesting in Baltimore due to the Death of Freddie Gray.
In March 2013, Myanmar declared a state of emergency in the city of Meiktila due to ongoing sectarian violence.
Egypt had been under a nearly-continuous state of emergency since 1967 (interrupted for 18 months in 1980–81); the People's Assembly renewed it every two to three years. The state of emergency expired on 31 May 2012.
Tunisia declared a state of emergency in January 2011, following unrest from economic issues.
28 November 2011 – Slovakia declared a state of emergency for numerous hospitals, due to the resignation of many Medicare workers.
21 August 2011 – Trinidad and Tobago, in an attempt to crack down on the trafficking of illegal drugs and firearms, in addition to gangs.
15 March 2011 – Bahrain declared a state of emergency on 15 March 2011 and asked the military to reassert its control over the capital, Manama, as clashes between Shia and Sunni groups spread across the country. Bahrain has been gripped by deepening political unrest and widespread protests for over a month, with the Shia majority and some Sunni liberals calling for democracy and an end to discrimination.
30 September 2010 – A state of emergency was declared in Ecuador due to a coup by armed forces.
11 April 2009 – Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency in the areas of Pattaya and Chonburi, in response to anti-government protesters breaking into the conference center of a hotel complex in the seaside resort city of Pattaya, in the then-venue site of the ASEAN was being held, immediately resulting in its cancellation. Another state of emergency on 12 April 2009, was announced in Bangkok and the surrounding areas, due to a heightened escalation of tension between the government and anti-government protesters, but was later lifted.
5 February 2009 – China was in a state of emergency due to extreme droughts in the country.
January 2009 – Slovakia was in a state of emergency due to natural gas supply shortage.
11 January 2007 – Bangladesh was in a state of emergency due to electoral violence. This ended on 16 December 2008, when new parliamentary elections were organized.
26 November 2008 – In Maharashtra state, India, the Maharashtra Government declared a state of Emergency following the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
2 September 2008 – A state of emergency was declared in Bangkok by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej following civil unrest; it was lifted on 14 September 2008.
1 July 2008 – Mongolian president Nambaryn Enkhbayar declared a state of emergency in the capital Ulaanbaatar for four days after violent protests against the ex-communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP). The MPRP had claimed a majority of seats in the 2008 parliamentary elections, but was accused of fraud and vote rigging by the less-successful parties.
March 2008 – Armenia was in a state of emergency from 2 March 2008 to 20 March 2008, declared by President Robert Kocharyan in response to protests over the 2008 Armenian presidential elections.
3 November 2007 – Pakistan was in a state of emergency from 3 November 2007 to 15 December 2007. President Pervez Musharraf declared emergency "to stop Pakistan from committing suicide". He lifted the state of emergency after he resigned from the army and took the oath of office as a civilian President of Pakistan.
24 February 2006 – the Philippines declared a state of emergency via Philippine Proclamation 1017 for one week until Philippine Proclamation 1021 on 3 March 2006, in response to a supposed coup against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's government in the midst of the 20th anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution that toppled the rule of Ferdinand Marcos.
28 August 2005 – A state of emergency was declared in Louisiana because of Hurricane Katrina. See National Weather Service bulletin for Hurricane Katrina.
August 2005 – Portugal declares a state of emergency in response to wildfires.
Mid-August 2005 – Sucumbios and Orellana, two provinces of Ecuador, because of indigenous protests against oil firms
15 April 2005 – Quito, capital of Ecuador due to protests; lifted less than a day later, on 17 April 2005.
December 2004 – Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Maldives because of the tsunami.
November 2003 – Georgia, following weeks of civil unrest.
August 2003 – Michigan, Ohio, New York, United States, and Ontario, Canada, in response to the Northeast blackout of 2003.
March 2003 – Serbia after assassination of Zoran Đinđić (vanredno stanje).
15 July 2002 – Paraguay, in response to public unrest.
November 2001 – Nepal, in response to increased guerrilla activity.
30 November 1999 – The U.S. city of Seattle, Washington, stemming from protest of the WTO Ministerial Conference of 1999 and police reaction to it – known as the 1999 Seattle WTO protests.
May–June 1998 – Indonesia declares state of emergency, due to May 1998 riots of Indonesia.
2 March 1997 – The 1997 Albanian civil unrest, also known as the Lottery Uprising or Anarchy in Albania, in which a Ponzi scheme sparked an uprising. Albania descended into anarchy and violence in which the government was toppled, and some 2,000 people were killed. On 1 March, Prime Minister Aleksandër Meksi resigned, and on 2 March, President Sali Berisha declared a state of emergency.
5 August 1995 – Trinidad and Tobago to remove Speaker of the House Occah Seapaul who refused to resign.
Winter 1995 – The U.S. city of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, after a severe snowstorm buried the city in 6 feet (1.8 m) of snow.
April–May 1992 – California, United States. state of emergency was declared by Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley in response to the 1992 Los Angeles riots, which were caused by the acquittal of the Los Angeles Police Department officers who had been seen on tape beating Rodney King.
March 1992 – Republic of Moldova, in response to War of Transnistria.
1992 to 2011 – Algeria endures a 19-year state of emergency enacted at the beginning of the 1992 coup. The state of emergency, which suspended citizens' rights in lieu of military power, was lifted after the Algerian Government gave in to protester demands during the 2011 Arab Spring.
May 1994 – On May 4, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh declared a 30-day state of emergency in response to the bombing of Sana'a by separatist air forces during the escalating civil war, and foreign nationals began evacuating the country.
August 1991 – Soviet Union, enemies of Mikhail Gorbachev's glasnost and perestroika reforms evoked the state of emergency because Gorbachev, according to them, was destroying both communism and the state itself. The coup was led by the acting president of the Soviet Union, Gennady Yanayev.
July–August 1990 – Trinidad and Tobago declared a state of emergency when a group stormed Parliament and a TV Station holding government officials, including the prime minister, at ransom. See Jamaat al Muslimeen coup attempt
July 1985 to February 1990 – South Africa, in response to increasing civil unrest and township violence opposing apartheid rule.
1975 to 1977 – India, Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency in 1975 in response to political opposition and her own conviction on charges of electoral fraud. The Emergency lasted for 21 months.
1972 to 1976 – Mauritius, due to ethnic and labor-related unrest. Elections were suspended during this period, and political rights were broadly circumscribed.
1971 – Queensland, Australia, in response to fears over increasing protests over the 1971 South Africa rugby union tour of Australia
1970 to 1972 – Trinidad and Tobago; a state of emergency was declared to deal with the Black Power Revolution, which also included a mutiny in the Military.
1972 – the United Kingdom in response to increasingly militant industrial action.
October 1970 – Quebec in response to the October Crisis kidnappings of government officials.
July 1967 – Detroit, United States in response to the 12th Street riot started on Sunday morning during a blind pig raid.
October 1962 – United States in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis.
1963 to 2011 – Syria during the Arab–Israeli conflict.
1948 to 1960 – Malayan Emergency in Malaysia and Singapore
1958 – Malta due to riots against the colonial government following Prime Minister Dom Mintoff's resignation.
1950 to 1978 – United States due to the Cold War, specifically the threat of "world conquest by communist imperialism."
1948 to 1991 – China declared a state of emergency in response to the communist insurgency during the Chinese Civil War. Martial law was declared in both Mainland China and Taiwan, the latter following the February 28 incident in 1947 but was lifted in 1987. Eventually, mainland China fell to the victorious Communists led by Mao Zedong, who established the People's Republic of China in 1949.
1939 to 1952 – United States due to World War II
1941 to 1942 – Moscow due to the German advance to within 19 miles (31 km) of the city during World War II.
October 1936 – Spain in response to the proclamation of the Catalan State and the ongoing Asturian miners' strike of 1934.
18 March 1907 – Moldavia and Wallachia in Romania during the 1907 Romanian Peasants' Revolt.

Note: I will only output the adapted Markdown section as requested. No explanations.