An island near Venezuela allows the US to use its airports and tensions escalate

Trinidad and Tobago authorized the United States to use its airports for military logistics operations. The rejection of the Venezuelan government

12/15/2025 – 7:01 p.m

Trinidad and Tobagoor authorized the United States to use its airports to do so military logistics operations in the coming weeks as Venezuela accuses the island nation of involvement in the “theft” of an oil tanker loaded with Venezuelan crude. The decision heightened tensions in a region where Washington maintains a significant military presence.

The announcement was made this Monday through an official statement from the Trinidad Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Consistent with established bilateral cooperation, the Department has issued authorizations allowing U.S. military aircraft to fly through airports in Trinidad and Tobago in the coming weeks.”the government reported.

The official document stated that the United States declared these movements justified “Processes of a logistical nature” is intended to facilitate resupply and routine rotation of military personnel. Trinidad and Tobago is strategically located 11 kilometers the Venezuelan coast at its closest point.

The military intervention by the United States is worrying Venezuela

Since last August, Washington has maintained a significant military presence in the Caribbean. Officially, The aim of the operation is to combat drug trafficking targeting the USA.

However, the government of Nicolás Maduro interprets this strategy as a covert operation aimed at overthrowing his government. Caracas claims that the real American goal is to conquer the country huge oil reserves Venezuela has that.

Last week, the US took an unprecedented action in the bilateral crisis: seized an oil tanker that transported Venezuelan crude oil. This action marked an unprecedented escalation of tensions between the two countries.

Venezuela directly blames Trinidad and Tobago

The Chavista government quickly blamed Trinidad and Tobago for an act of “international piracy.” Caracas reported that this was the case “full knowledge” on the Trinidadian government’s involvement in the operation against the oil tanker.

The incident occurred on December 10thwhen a ship carrying Venezuelan oil was attacked. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez used her official Telegram channel to denounce the incident.

“This act of piracy constitutes a serious breach of international law and a clear violation of the principles of freedom of navigation and trade.”Rodríguez said in his official message.

Kamla Persad Bissessar She came to power in May as a clear ally of President Donald Trump. Since then, the Prime Minister of Trinidad has multiplied her hostile statements towards the Venezuelan government.

Despite it, Persad-Bissessar publicly clarified that Washington had never requested use of the archipelago’s territory Anglophone is planning direct attacks against Venezuela. The purpose of the clarification is to define the scope of bilateral military cooperation.

The growing US military presence in the territory of Trinidad

Trinidad and Tobago hosted the event at the end of October Warship USS Gravely in its territorial waters. The naval operation marked the beginning of a series of joint military operations.

between the November 16th and 21stA contingent of US Marines conducted military exercises in the territory of Trinidad. Some troops remain in the island nation as part of bilateral cooperation.

Washington also installed one in late November Radar system at the new Tobago Airport. This second island in the country concentrates the country’s main beaches and tourist complexes. Although the radar is already installed, it is not yet operational.

The authorization to use Trinidadian airports increases the US military presence in a region where Venezuela denounces an encirclement strategy. With Trinidad and Tobago as a new logistics base, the United States is strengthening its position in the Caribbean, while Caracas accuses international piracy of its oil resources.