🔗 Share this article

The government of Trinidad and Tobago has confirmed it will allow the United States military to operate from its airports in coming weeks. This decision comes as increasing regional tensions between the US and its neighbor Venezuela.

Radar Installation Raises Questions

This statement comes after the installation of a sophisticated radar system at an airport in Tobago. National authorities maintain the radar's intended role is for curtailing local criminal activity, asserting it is not a springboard for offensive actions against another country.

Skeptics argue, however, that these arrangements risks pulling Trinidad and Tobago into former President Donald Trump's intensifying political strategy against Venezuela's president Nicolás Maduro.

Nature of Access and Official Statements

According to a ministry statement, US use at the airports would be for logistical support, enabling stocking provisions and routine personnel rotations. Officials did not elaborate beyond this.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has in the past supported US operations targeting suspected drug boats in regional waters, actions that have allegedly resulted in multiple deaths, including several Trinidadian citizens.

Initial Claims and Later Disclosures

At first, Persad-Bissessar said a US C-17 aircraft arriving in Tobago was carrying marines to assist with a local road construction project. Yet, following photographic evidence of the radar installation, she conceded that no fewer than 100 marines were present in the country, accompanied by the high-performance radar.

The radar, identified as a long-range AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR, is used for air surveillance, air defense, and counter-fire operations.

Close Neighbors

The twin-island nation is situated extremely close from Venezuela at their closest point. It has two primary airports: Piarco International in Trinidad and ANR Robinson International in Tobago.

The airport access agreement comes after a prior event in October, when a US warship docked in Trinidad's capital, signaling the Trump administration's growing military pressure against Venezuela.

In related developments, American legislators have raised questions about the legality of the aforementioned maritime strikes and have announced a review process.