Trinidad and Tobago will permit U.S. forces to use its airports as tensions escalate between Washington and Caracas.
In a statement, the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the U.S. would use the airports for activity that would be “logistical in nature, facilitating supply replenishment and routine personnel rotations.” The ministry provided no further details.
The decision follows the recent installation of a U.S. radar system in Trinidad and Tobago, which officials say is meant to combat local crime, not launch attacks on other nations.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez accused Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of turning Trinidad and Tobago into a “U.S. aircraft carrier” against Venezuela. She said Venezuela will cancel gas supply deals with the Caribbean nation in response to its actions.
The U.S. has intensified its operations in the Caribbean and Pacific in recent months, carrying out over 20 strikes since September against suspected drug-trafficking vessels, resulting in over 90 deaths.
President Donald Trump has also suggested the possibility of land strikes against Venezuela.
On Tuesday, Trump declared the Venezuelan regime a foreign terrorist organization and ordered a complete blockade of oil tankers entering or leaving the country.
“For the theft of our assets, and many other reasons, including terrorism, drug smuggling, and human trafficking, the Venezuelan regime has been designated a foreign terrorist organization,” Trump said on Truth Social.
The move follows the U.S. seizure of a sanctioned oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast.
