The U.S. Navy has escalated its military presence in the Caribbean as part of a broader campaign to apply pressure on Venezuela. The guided missile destroyer USS Grav’ty arrived in Trinidad and Tobago’s capital, Port-of-Spain, for joint military training exercises with the Caribbean nation. The warship will remain in the region until Thursday, according to officials from both countries. The exercises are framed as efforts to address shared threats like transnational crime and to build regional resilience through training, humanitarian missions, and security cooperation. The U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz emphasized the partnership in combatting these challenges. However, Venezuela has strongly criticized the deployment, viewing it as a ‘dangerous’ and ‘hostile provocation’ aimed at undermining its sovereignty. The country’s Foreign Ministry called the exercises a ‘serious threat’ to the Caribbean region. This move comes amid the Trump administration’s broader strategy to target drug smuggling in U.S. waters, with the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford moving closer to Venezuela as part of the effort. Maduro has accused the U.S. of attempting to manufacture a ‘new eternal war’ against his nation. Trump himself has accused Maduro of being a drug cartel leader, and earlier this month, he authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela, citing the release of prisoners and drug trafficking as justification for the actions.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has publicly endorsed the U.S. military presence and the Trump administration’s strikes against suspected drug boats in the region. Her support underscores the complex dynamics at play, as the Caribbean nation balances its strategic interests with its regional tensions with Venezuela. The Trump administration’s actions reflect a broader U.S. strategy to combat drug trafficking networks that operate across the Caribbean and into the United States. The deployment of the USS Gravely and the USS Ford carrier signals a commitment to this effort, with military assets being used to pressure both the Maduro regime and drug cartels. Critics argue that such actions could escalate regional tensions and lead to unintended consequences, including increased militarization and potential conflict. Meanwhile, Venezuela’s condemnation of the U.S. move reinforces its stance of resistance against what it sees as an aggressive foreign policy. The situation highlights the ongoing geopolitical struggles in the region, with the U.S. and Venezuela locked in a contest for influence and control over critical maritime routes and economic resources. As the Trump administration continues to take assertive steps in the Caribbean, the impact on regional stability remains a pressing concern.