**U.S. Warship Docks in Trinidad and Tobago Amid Rising Tensions with Venezuela**
*PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago (AP)* — A U.S. warship docked in Trinidad and Tobago’s capital Sunday as the Trump administration intensifies military pressure on neighboring Venezuela and its President Nicolás Maduro.
The arrival of the USS Gravely, a guided missile destroyer, in the Caribbean nation’s capital comes in addition to the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, which is moving closer to Venezuelan waters.
President Maduro criticized the movement of the carrier, calling it an attempt by the U.S. government to fabricate “a new eternal war” against his country.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Maduro—without providing evidence—of leading the organized crime gang Tren de Aragua.
Government officials from both Trinidad and Tobago and the United States said the massive warship will remain docked in Trinidad until Thursday to allow both nations to carry out joint training exercises.
A senior military official in Trinidad and Tobago told The Associated Press that the deployment was only recently scheduled. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorization to discuss the matter publicly.
Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, has been a vocal supporter of the U.S. military presence in the region and has backed deadly strikes on suspected drug boats operating off Venezuelan waters.
U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz stated in a press release that the exercises aim to “address shared threats like transnational crime and build resilience through training, humanitarian missions, and security efforts.”
The visit follows a recent warning issued by the U.S. Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago advising American citizens to avoid U.S. government facilities in the country. Local authorities cited a reported threat against Americans as the reason for the advisory.
However, the warship’s presence has sparked criticism within Trinidad and Tobago. At a recent demonstration outside the U.S. Embassy, David Abdulah, leader of the Movement for Social Justice political party, condemned the docking.
“This is a warship in Trinidad, which will be anchored here for several days just miles off Venezuela when there’s a threat of war,” said Abdulah. “That’s an abomination.”
Caricom, a regional trade bloc composed of 15 Caribbean countries including Trinidad and Tobago, has called for dialogue amid rising tensions. Nevertheless, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar has stated that the region is not a zone of peace, citing the prevalence of murders and other violent crimes.
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https://wsvn.com/news/us-world/us-warship-docks-in-trinidad-and-tobago-putting-more-pressure-on-venezuela/
