The USS Gravely docks in Port of Spain for joint training amid escalating US military pressure on Venezuela’s Maduro and drug traffickers
PORT OF SPAIN: A United States warship arrived in Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday for joint exercises near the coast of Venezuela.
The USS Gravely docked in the capital Port of Spain after its upcoming arrival was announced last Thursday by the Trinidadian government.
It will remain in the small Caribbean nation until Thursday while US Marines conduct joint training with local defence forces.
These exercises form part of a mounting military campaign by US President Donald Trump against drug trafficking organisations in Latin America.
This campaign has specifically targeted Trump’s arch-foe Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
US forces have destroyed at least ten boats they claimed were smuggling narcotics and killed at least 43 people.
Trump has also threatened ground attacks on suspected cartels operating within Venezuela.
Maduro has accused the United States of fabricating a war aimed at toppling his government.
The standoff escalated sharply on Friday when the Pentagon ordered the deployment of the world’s biggest aircraft carrier to the region.
Trump has additionally authorised Central Intelligence Agency operations against Venezuela.
The confrontation has drawn in Colombian President Gustavo Petro who sharply criticised the American strikes.
Washington sanctioned Petro on Friday for allegedly allowing drug trafficking to flourish.
American officials have accused both Maduro and Petro of being narcoterrorists without providing proof.
Washington deployed a significant fleet to the region in August for anti-drug operations.
This deployment represented the biggest military build-up in the area since the 1989 US invasion of Panama.
Some Trinidad and Tobago residents welcomed their government’s show of support for the US campaign.
Others expressed concern about getting caught up in a conflict between Washington and Caracas.
Daniel Holder worried that his country could end up getting a lash from any Venezuela-America confrontation.
The 64-year-old Rastafarian stated his opposition to Trinidad and Tobago being part of this situation.
Victor Rojas said he felt worried for his family back home in Venezuela.
The carpenter noted Venezuela is not in a position to weather an attack right now.
Trinidad and Tobago serves as a hub in the Caribbean drug trade and has been caught up in US strikes.
Two Trinidadian men were reportedly killed in a strike on a vessel that set out from Venezuela in mid-October.
The mother of one victim insisted her son was a fisherman rather than a drug trafficker.
Local authorities have not yet officially confirmed these deaths. – AFP
