U.S. Marines are carrying out military drills in Trinidad and Tobago, in what may be a show of force against nearby Venezuela.
Troops from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit began the military exercises on Nov. 16, in partnership with troops from the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force. These drills are set to run until Friday, Nov. 21.
“The engagement prioritizes partnership, professionalism, and shared experiences, including meals and informal interactions that foster camaraderie and mutual respect.”
Separated by just 7 miles of sea at its nearest point, the Caribbean island nation of Trinidad and Tobago sits on Venezuela's doorstep.
The ongoing joint drills come amid an unprecedented U.S. military buildup in the region, which has seen U.S. forces conduct numerous lethal strikes on drug boats operating in the Caribbean Sea.
U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration are ramping up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Maduro is named in a March 2020 U.S. federal indictment on narco-terrorism charges, and the Department of Justice raised the reward for information leading to his arrest to $50 million. The Venezuelan leader has denied the narco-terrorism allegations.
Named after the sun insignias worn by Venezuelan military generals, the Cartel de Los Soles is a name applied to an alleged criminal enterprise believed to pervade Venezuela's military and government, up to and including Maduro.
"I can’t tell you what it would be, but I sort of made up my mind," he said.
"I don’t rule out anything," he said.
In remarks to reporters on Nov. 14, Trinidad and Tobago Foreign Minister Sean Sobers dismissed talk of a larger conflict in the Caribbean and said his country had not been presented with any reason to believe war or regime change efforts were imminent.
"If it happens, trust that your Government will stand with you and we will make the best possible decision in the interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago," Sobers said.