Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro this Saturday (November 15) accused the government of Trinidad and Tobago of endangering stability in the Caribbean by allowing new military exercises in waters near Venezuela’s Sucre state. The exercise, which also included US troops, was labeled by the president as “irresponsible” and “threatening.”
President Maduro says the neighboring country’s planned move is an attempt at intimidation.
“They are going to threaten a republic like Venezuela, which will not allow itself to be threatened by anyone,” he declared.
Following the announcement, the president insisted that he would protect sovereignty and peace in the region, calling on residents of Venezuela’s eastern states to remain “perpetually vigilant and marching under the flag of Venezuela.”
southern spear
On November 13, the Trump administration announced the launch of South Spear, a South American military operation responsible for operations in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, heightening diplomatic tensions in the region.
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In recent months, U.S. warships, F-35 fighter jets and even the world’s largest aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford, have been deployed to the Caribbean.
Since then, Washington has announced 19 bombings of boats traveling through the area, suspected to be related to drug trafficking, killing at least 80 people. However, no concrete evidence regarding the connection between the vessel and the crime was disclosed.
Tensions rise in the Caribbean
- The exercise comes amid diplomatic tensions between Caracas and Port of Spain.
- For months, the Venezuelan government has accused the United States of using a joint operation to combat drug trafficking in the Caribbean as a pretext to expand its military presence in the region and apply political pressure on Chavez’s government.
- However, for Trinidad and Tobago, the exercise is part of a regular cooperation schedule aimed at combating cross-border human trafficking.
- From that day
- The Caribbean country did not directly respond to Maduro’s statement, but defense officials reiterated that the operations were limited to waters under Trinidad’s jurisdiction.
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Nicolas Maduro
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President Maduro orders military deployment
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President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro
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President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro
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difficult history
Relations between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago have been characterized by disputes over maritime borders, ship inspections, and immigration pressures.
The archipelago, home to the Caribbean’s largest community of Venezuelan refugees, maintains close ties with the United States on security issues, something Caracas is unhappy about.
Events such as the seizure of fishing boats, expulsions of migrants and mutual accusations of territorial violations have raised the political temperature between the two countries in recent years. The announcement of new military action adds yet another point of friction.
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