Trinidad Approves US Military Airport Access Amid Rising Venezuela Tensions: Strategic Implications for Caribbean Security

Trinidad has granted permission for US military aircraft to utilize its airports.

On Monday, the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago announced it had authorized United States military aircraft to use its airports, fueling concerns that Washington might be preparing military action against neighboring Venezuela.

Trinidad and Tobago, an archipelago positioned just twelve kilometers from Venezuela at its nearest point, has strongly supported President Donald Trump's campaign of military and economic pressure on the Venezuelan government.

The foreign ministry of Trinidad confirmed it had approved US military aircraft to use its airports "in the coming weeks."

According to the ministry, these facilities would be used by Washington for "logistical" operations, including "facilitating supply replenishment and routine personnel rotations."

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago has opened her country to US forces as Washington establishes a significant military presence in the Caribbean region.

While US officials claim the operation targets "narco-terrorists," the Trump administration has been particularly focused on pressuring Venezuela and its leader Nicolas Maduro, whom Washington does not recognize as the legitimate president.

In October, a US guided missile destroyer anchored off Trinidad island for four days of joint exercises, within striking distance of Venezuela.

Last month, US Marines participated in military exercises in the archipelago.

The United States has also installed radar equipment at a new Tobago airport, which Persad-Bissessar states is intended to detect Venezuelan drug trafficking and oil shipments that violate sanctions.

On Monday, Caracas accused Trinidad and Tobago of participating in the "theft" of Venezuelan oil after US forces seized a tanker allegedly violating US sanctions last week.

Washington stated the action targeted Maduro's "regime," but Caracas condemned it as "international piracy."

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez accused Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar of maintaining a "hostile agenda towards Venezuela" and reaffirmed that Caracas would suspend natural gas exploration cooperation with its neighbor.

Trinidadian Foreign Minister Sean Sobers explained that the decision reflected the government's commitment "to cooperation and collaboration in the pursuit of safety and security for Trinidad and Tobago and the wider region."