Trinidad and Tobago Grants US Military Access to Its Airports Amid Growing Strains with Venezuela
The government of Trinidad and Tobago has confirmed it will allow the United States military to access its airports in coming weeks. This move occurs amid heightening regional tensions between the US and its neighbor Venezuela.
New Defense System Fuels Controversy
This announcement comes after the setup of a military-grade radar system at an airport in Tobago. National officials maintain the radar's sole use is for fighting local criminal activity, asserting it is not a base for military strikes against foreign states.
Critics and opposition figures argue, however, that the partnership might entangle Trinidad and Tobago into ex-President Donald Trump's ongoing pressure campaign against Venezuela's president Nicolás Maduro.
Nature of Access and Government Explanation
In a foreign affairs statement, US operations at the airports would be “logistical in nature”, assisting with supply replenishment and routine personnel rotations. The government provided no further details regarding the scope.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has previously supported US military strikes targeting alleged drug ships in regional waters, strikes that have allegedly resulted in multiple deaths, among them a number of Trinidadian citizens.
Earlier Statements and Later Disclosures
At first, Persad-Bissessar said a US C-17 aircraft that landed in Tobago was carrying marines to help on a civilian road construction project. However, after images surfaced of the radar installation, she admitted 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 marketed as aerial monitoring, air defense, and artillery detection operations.
Proximity and Geography
Trinidad and Tobago lies a mere seven miles from Venezuela at their narrowest separation. The country has two primary international gateways: Piarco International in Trinidad and ANR Robinson International in Tobago.
This development comes after a prior event in October, when a US warship was stationed in Trinidad's capital, as part of the Trump administration's growing military pressure on Venezuela.
Meanwhile, US lawmakers have raised questions about the legality of the recent maritime strikes and have announced a congressional review.
