🔗 Share this article Trinidad and Tobago Provides US Military Use to Its Airports Amid Escalating Strains with Venezuela The government of Trinidad and Tobago has announced it will permit the United States military to utilize its airports in coming weeks. This decision comes as heightening regional tensions between the US and nearby Venezuela. New Defense System Raises Questions This statement follows the recent deployment of a sophisticated radar system at an airport in Tobago. Caribbean authorities state the radar's sole use is for fighting illegal operations, emphatically denying a base for military strikes against foreign states. Skeptics warn, however, that these arrangements might entangle Trinidad and Tobago into ex-President Donald Trump's broader political strategy against Venezuela's president Nicolás Maduro. Nature of Access and Government Explanation According to a ministry statement, US use at the airports would be for logistical support, assisting with resupply efforts and standard troop rotations. The statement did not elaborate on the matter. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has in the past commended US airstrikes targeting alleged drug ships in the Caribbean and Pacific, strikes that have allegedly led to numerous deaths, among them several Trinidadian citizens. Earlier Statements and Subsequent Revelations Initially, Persad-Bissessar claimed a US C-17 aircraft that landed in Tobago was transporting marines to help on a local road construction project. However, when pictures emerged of the defense system, she conceded that at least 100 marines were stationed in the country, along with the powerful radar. This system, 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 lies a mere seven miles from Venezuela at their closest point. The country has main airports: Piarco International in Trinidad and ANR Robinson International in Tobago. This development comes after a previous incident in October, when a US warship docked in Trinidad's capital, signaling the Trump administration's growing military pressure towards Venezuela. In related developments, US lawmakers have raised questions about the legality of the recent maritime strikes and have called for a congressional review.