US-Venezuela Tensions Escalate Amid Planned Military Drills

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago – Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro criticized the United States on Saturday for its upcoming five-day military exercises in Trinidad and Tobago, which are set to begin on November 16.

Maduro labeled the drills as “irresponsible” during a speech in eastern Caracas. He accused the U.S. of escalating military tensions in the Caribbean and urged the local population to be vigilant against what he described as a “criminal war” being waged against Venezuela.

“The people of Trinidad and Tobago will see if they continue allowing their waters and land to be used to gravely threaten the peace of the Caribbean,” Maduro said.

The planned exercises follow the U.S. deployment of a guided-missile destroyer in October for training exercises near Venezuela, which attracted criticism from Maduro. Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign Minister Sean Sobers clarified that the drills do not anticipate any U.S. military action aimed at Venezuela.

“These exercises are strictly for cooperation and training purposes,” Sobers stated on Friday. “Our forces will learn alongside U.S. troops to combat domestic issues such as drug-related crime and gang violence.”

This joint military effort includes the U.S. Marine Corps’ 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, present in the region to disrupt illicit drug trafficking. The government of Trinidad and Tobago views this as an opportunity for its military to enhance tactical skills.

The U.S. has significantly increased its naval presence in the Caribbean recently, deploying numerous warships, including USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world. These actions have been labeled by Venezuelan officials as a direct threat, with plans for a military mobilization in response.

In a televised address, Maduro reiterated his country’s commitment to peace, stating, “We are focused on building a peaceful future for our youth.” He has previously expressed concerns about the U.S. possibly targeting his regime for regime change.

Additionally, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado called for a united stand against Maduro’s government, suggesting that the time is ripe for change in Venezuela. “Thirty million of us must rise against a regime on its way out,” Machado urged to supporters in a voice message shared on social media.

As the military maneuvers approach, the atmosphere in the region remains tense, with fears of conflict lingering on both sides of the Caribbean Sea. The next few days will likely determine the nature of U.S.-Venezuela relations moving forward.