The Government of Trinidad and Tobago is denying claims by Venezuela that the visit of a US warship is a hostile act.
In a statement last night, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said the USS Gravely’s presence in Port-of-Spain is aimed at strengthening cooperation in the fight against transnational crime — not provoking conflict.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez had earlier accused T&T of coordinating with the CIA to provoke war in the Caribbean.
The Ministry reaffirmed that T&T values its relationship with Venezuela and remains committed to regional peace and security.
The USS Gravely is scheduled to remain in local waters until October 30th.
Venezuela has condemned a joint Trinidad and Tobago–United States military exercise, calling it a “hostile provocation” and a “threat to regional peace.”
In a statement issued on October 26th, the Venezuelan government denounced the arrival of the US naval warship USS Gravely at the Port of Spain port, claiming the operation is part of a wider US plan to provoke conflict in the Caribbean.
The exercise, which runs from October 26th to 30th, involves members of the 22nd US Marine Expeditionary Unit and around 60 officers of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, including infantry, medics, engineers, and Special Forces.
Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López accused both the US and the TT government of undermining regional stability, claiming the US intends to stage a “false flag” operation to justify military aggression.
The statement also alleged that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s administration has “renounced TT’s sovereignty” by aligning with Washington’s military agenda.
