🔗 Share this article The Caribbean Nation Grants US Military Access to Its Airports As Escalating Tensions with Venezuela Officials in Trinidad and Tobago has announced it will permit the United States military to utilize its airports in the near future. This move follows mounting geopolitical friction between the US and its neighbor Venezuela. New Defense System Sparks Debate This announcement follows the recent setup of a military-grade radar system at an airport in Tobago. National the government maintain the radar's intended role is for combating local criminal activity, asserting it is not a base for military strikes against any nation. Skeptics argue, however, that these arrangements might entangle Trinidad and Tobago into ex-President Donald Trump's ongoing pressure campaign against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Nature of Access and Official Statements In a ministry statement, US activities at the airports would be focused on logistics, facilitating stocking provisions and regular staff changes. The statement provided no further details beyond this. The nation's leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has in the past supported US operations targeting suspected drug trafficking vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, strikes that have reportedly led to numerous deaths, including a number of Trinidadian citizens. Earlier Statements and Subsequent Revelations At first, Persad-Bissessar said a US C-17 aircraft that landed in Tobago was carrying marines to support a local road construction project. Yet, when pictures emerged of the defense system, she acknowledged that no fewer than 100 marines were present in the country, along with the powerful radar. This system, identified as a long-range AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR, is used for aerial monitoring, air defense, and counter-fire capabilities. Close Neighbors The twin-island nation is situated extremely close from Venezuela at their narrowest separation. The country has two primary airports: Piarco International in Trinidad and ANR Robinson International in Tobago. The airport access agreement follows a previous incident in October, when a US warship docked in Trinidad's capital, as part of the Trump administration's increased military posture on Venezuela. Meanwhile, US lawmakers have raised questions about the legality of the recent maritime strikes and have called for a review process.