Trinidad and Tobago Grants US Military Use to National Airfields As Growing Strains with Venezuela

Officials in Trinidad and Tobago has confirmed it will authorize the United States military to operate from its airports in coming weeks. This decision occurs amid mounting geopolitical friction between the US and its neighbor Venezuela.

Radar Installation Raises Questions

The news follows the recent installation of a advanced radar system at an airport in Tobago. National officials maintain the radar's intended role is for fighting illegal operations, stressing it will not be a base for military strikes against any nation.

Critics and opposition figures caution, however, that this cooperation risks pulling Trinidad and Tobago into ex-President Donald Trump's intensifying efforts against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

Scope of Agreement and Official Statements

According to a ministry statement, US operations at the airports would be for logistical support, facilitating resupply efforts and standard troop rotations. The government offered no specifics regarding the scope.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has previously praised US military strikes targeting alleged drug boats in regional waters, strikes that have allegedly resulted in multiple deaths, among them several Trinidadian citizens.

Earlier Statements and Subsequent Revelations

At first, Persad-Bissessar said a US C-17 aircraft arriving in Tobago was carrying marines to support a civilian road construction project. Yet, when pictures emerged of the defense system, she conceded that at least 100 marines were stationed in the country, accompanied by the powerful radar.

This system, believed to be a long-range AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR, is described as air surveillance, air defense, and artillery detection operations.

Close Neighbors

Trinidad and Tobago is situated extremely close from Venezuela at their narrowest separation. It has main airports: Piarco International in Trinidad and ANR Robinson International in Tobago.

This development follows a prior event in October, when a US naval vessel was stationed in Trinidad's capital, signaling the Trump administration's growing military pressure against Venezuela.

In related developments, Congressional representatives have expressed doubts about the lawfulness of the recent maritime strikes and have called for a review process.