A U.S. Navy warship’s visit to Trinidad and Tobago has prompted sharp criticism from Venezuela, where officials accuse Washington and its Caribbean partner of carrying out “a military provocation.” The USS Gravely docked in Port of Spain on October 26 as part of joint exercises between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago’s defense forces. The visit includes the participation of the 22nd U.S. Marine Expeditionary Unit, which, according to both governments, is aimed at strengthening cooperation and combating transnational crime.
The Trinidad and Tobago Foreign Ministry said the drills, running through October 30, are designed to deepen “military-to-military cooperation,” emphasizing humanitarian training and regional security. The ministry reiterated the nation’s longstanding partnership with the United States and stated that the exercise seeks to “bolster resilience” through collaboration and skill-building initiatives.
However, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez described the military activities as a deliberate attempt to destabilize the region. In a statement published Sunday on her official social media accounts, Rodríguez claimed that “a false flag attack is underway in waters bordering Trinidad and Tobago or from Trinidadian or Venezuelan territory to generate a full military confrontation with our country.” Rodríguez did not provide evidence for the assertion.
Washington’s Expanded Operations and Regional Reactions
The exercises occur amid heightened tensions following President Donald Trump’s announcement that he had authorized the CIA to carry out covert operations in Venezuela against drug cartels. Earlier this month, Trump confirmed that the intelligence agency had received permission to act in what he described as efforts to curb narcotics trafficking and address “malign foreign influence.” U.S. military operations in the Caribbean Sea have also intensified in recent weeks, with several air and naval strikes reportedly targeting vessels accused of transporting illegal drugs.
