US Naval Buildup Near Venezuela Raises Tensions

The U.S. guided‑missile destroyer USS Gravely docked in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago—about 24 miles from Venezuela—for joint training with Trinidadian forces as Washington ramps up its military presence near Venezuela. The Gravely’s visit accompanies the deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and an expanded carrier strike group to the Caribbean to support what U.S. officials describe as a counter‑narco‑terrorism campaign. The deployments follow U.S. maritime strikes on suspected drug‑running vessels that U.S. officials say have killed at least 43 suspected traffickers, actions Caracas and regional critics call a pretext for pressure or regime change. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro condemned the movements as an effort to fabricate “a new eternal war,” while protesters and some politicians in Trinidad and Tobago opposed the warship’s presence; Trinidadian Defence Minister Wayne Sturge and Prime Minister Kamla Persad‑Bissessar said the visit was requested by the U.S. and pre‑planned, and the U.S. Embassy said the exercises aim to address transnational crime and build resilience. U.S. media and officials report additional options being weighed could include strikes on drug‑related targets inside Venezuela, raising fears the counter‑narcotics campaign could escalate into direct action against Venezuelan territory.