The Caribbean Nation Allows US Military Access to National Airfields As Growing 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 development comes as mounting regional tensions between the US and its neighbor Venezuela.
Radar Installation Fuels Controversy
This announcement follows the recent setup of a advanced radar system at an airport in Tobago. Caribbean authorities state the radar's intended role is for fighting local criminal activity, stressing it will not be a base for military strikes against foreign states.
Skeptics caution, however, that the partnership might entangle Trinidad and Tobago into ex-President Donald Trump's broader efforts against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Scope of Agreement and Official Statements
As per a ministry statement, US operations at the airports would be “logistical in nature”, enabling resupply efforts and standard troop rotations. Officials did not elaborate on the matter.
The nation's leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has previously commended US operations targeting alleged drug trafficking vessels in regional waters, strikes that have allegedly resulted in dozens of deaths, including several Trinidadian citizens.
Earlier Statements and Later Disclosures
At first, Persad-Bissessar said a US C-17 aircraft arriving in Tobago was carrying marines to assist with a civilian road construction project. Yet, when pictures emerged of the defense system, she acknowledged that at least 100 marines were stationed in the country, along with the powerful radar.
The radar, believed to be a long-range AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR, is described as air surveillance, air defense, and counter-fire operations.
Proximity and Geography
The twin-island nation is situated extremely close from Venezuela at their closest point. It has two primary international gateways: Piarco International in Trinidad and ANR Robinson International in Tobago.
The airport access agreement follows a prior event in October, when a US warship was stationed in Trinidad's capital, as part of the Trump administration's increased military pressure towards Venezuela.
In related developments, American legislators have expressed doubts about the lawfulness of the aforementioned maritime strikes and have announced a formal investigation.