Venezuela Claims CIA 'False Flag' Plot Thwarted as US Military Escalates Caribbean Presence

USS Gravely warship crew stand on the bow and starboard of the vessel.

Venezuela:

Venezuela announced Monday it had dismantled a CIA-funded cell allegedly planning a false-flag operation against a US warship in the southern Caribbean, coinciding with Washington's escalation of military pressure through bomber deployments near Venezuelan territory.

Venezuelan officials reported uncovering a plot targeting the USS Gravely, a guided-missile destroyer that docked in Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, positioned within striking range of Venezuela's mainland.

The vessel's arrival provoked strong condemnation from Caracas, which described it as a "provocation" and alleged it was "aimed at provoking a war in the Caribbean."

This development has further strained relations with Trinidad and Tobago, whose Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has been openly critical of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro and supportive of US President Donald Trump's anti-narcotics military operations in Caribbean waters.

Maduro responded Monday evening by suspending a gas agreement with Trinidad and Tobago, accusing Persad-Bissessar of turning her nation "into an aircraft carrier of the American empire against Venezuela."

The Pentagon has deployed seven warships to Caribbean waters and one to the Gulf of Mexico as part of Trump's campaign. The United States has additionally announced the imminent arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world's largest aircraft carrier, accompanied by its fleet.

Venezuela and various analysts suspect the Trump administration is using these military deployments to increase pressure on Maduro's government with the aim of removing him from power. Washington does not recognize Maduro as Venezuela's legitimate president.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced Monday that authorities had arrested four individuals from a "CIA-financed" cell allegedly planning to attack the USS Gravely and blame Venezuela for the incident. No further details about the suspects were provided. Venezuela frequently claims to have detained US-backed mercenaries allegedly working to destabilize Maduro's government.

In addition to the naval buildup, Trump recently confirmed authorizing CIA operations in Venezuela and considering ground strikes.

Since September, US forces have destroyed at least 10 vessels they claimed were transporting narcotics, resulting in 43 fatalities in international waters.

Experts have raised questions regarding the legality of these deadly operations, and Washington has presented no evidence beyond aerial footage of the strikes linking these vessels to drug trafficking.

Tensions escalated further Monday as two US B-1B bombers conducted a flight over the Caribbean near Venezuela, marking the third such demonstration of force in recent weeks.

Tracking data from Flightradar24 showed the bombers, which departed from a base in North Dakota, flying parallel to the Venezuelan coastline before disappearing from radar.

Previous missions included a B-1B sortie last week and a B-52 flight earlier this month, signaling Washington's readiness to increase pressure on Maduro's administration.

The United States and Venezuela have experienced strained relations for years, with Washington rejecting Maduro's electoral victories in 2018 and 2024 as fraudulent.

Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodriguez had earlier Monday advocated for suspending gas agreements with Trinidad and Tobago to increase costs for the United States and its ally.

Trinidadian PM Persad-Bissessar dismissed what she characterized as Venezuelan "blackmail," telling AFP her country remains committed to security and energy cooperation.

Washington recently authorized Trinidad and Tobago to develop the Dragon gas field in Venezuelan waters despite a US oil embargo, further intensifying tensions between the neighboring countries.

Maduro, who denies US allegations that he leads a drug-trafficking network, has accused Washington of "fabricating a war" for political purposes.

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