🔗 Share this article The Caribbean Nation Allows US Military Access to Its Airports As Growing Strains with Venezuela The government of Trinidad and Tobago has announced it will allow the United States military to operate from its airports in the near future. This decision comes as increasing geopolitical friction between the US and nearby Venezuela. Radar Installation Raises Questions The news comes after the deployment of a sophisticated radar system at an airport in Tobago. National officials state the radar's primary purpose is for curtailing domestic crime, stressing it will not be a launchpad for attacks against foreign states. Government opponents caution, however, that the partnership risks pulling Trinidad and Tobago into former President Donald Trump's broader political strategy against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Scope of Agreement and Government Explanation According to a ministry statement, US operations at the airports would be “logistical in nature”, assisting with resupply efforts and standard troop rotations. The statement did not elaborate beyond this. The nation's leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has in the past praised US operations targeting alleged drug boats in regional waters, strikes that have allegedly led to dozens of fatalities, including several Trinidadian citizens. Initial Claims and Later Disclosures Initially, Persad-Bissessar stated a US C-17 aircraft arriving in Tobago was carrying marines to support a civilian road construction project. Yet, following photographic evidence of the radar installation, she conceded that no fewer than 100 marines were stationed in the country, accompanied by the powerful radar. The radar, believed to be a long-range AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR, is used for aerial monitoring, defense, and counter-fire operations. Close Neighbors The twin-island nation lies a mere seven miles from Venezuela at their narrowest separation. The country has two primary airports: Piarco International in Trinidad and ANR Robinson International in Tobago. This development follows 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 against Venezuela. In related developments, Congressional representatives have expressed doubts about the lawfulness of the recent maritime strikes and have called for a review process.