🔗 Share this article Trinidad and Tobago Allows US Military Use to Its Airports Amid Escalating Tensions with Venezuela The government of Trinidad and Tobago has announced it will authorize 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 Raises Questions This statement follows the recent deployment of a sophisticated radar system at an airport in Tobago. National officials state the radar's sole use is for curtailing domestic crime, stressing it will not be a base for attacks against another country. Critics and opposition figures argue, however, that this cooperation could draw Trinidad and Tobago into ex-President Donald Trump's broader efforts against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Nature of Access and Official Statements In a foreign affairs statement, US activities at the airports would be focused on logistics, enabling supply replenishment and standard troop rotations. The statement provided no further details on the matter. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has previously praised US airstrikes targeting alleged drug ships in the Caribbean and Pacific, actions that have reportedly resulted in numerous deaths, including several Trinidadian citizens. Initial Claims and Later Disclosures At first, Persad-Bissessar claimed a US C-17 aircraft arriving in Tobago was carrying marines to help on a local road construction project. However, after images surfaced of the defense system, she conceded that at least 100 marines were stationed in the country, accompanied by the powerful radar. This system, thought to be a long-range AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR, is described as aerial monitoring, defense, and counter-fire operations. Proximity and Geography Trinidad and Tobago is situated a mere seven miles from Venezuela at their closest point. It has two primary international gateways: Piarco International in Trinidad and ANR Robinson International in Tobago. This development follows a previous incident in October, when a US warship was stationed in Trinidad's capital, signaling the Trump administration's ramped-up military posture on Venezuela. Meanwhile, American legislators have expressed doubts about the legality of the aforementioned maritime strikes and have called for a review process.