🔗 Share this article The Caribbean Nation Allows US Military Use to National Airfields Amid Escalating Tensions with Venezuela Officials in Trinidad and Tobago has stated it will authorize the United States military to access its airports in coming weeks. This move occurs amid heightening geopolitical friction between the US and nearby Venezuela. Radar Installation Fuels Controversy This announcement comes after the setup of a military-grade radar system at an airport in Tobago. National the government have insisted the radar's sole use is for combating domestic crime, stressing it will not be a springboard for military strikes against foreign states. Government opponents argue, however, that these arrangements might entangle Trinidad and Tobago into ex-President Donald Trump's ongoing political strategy against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. Scope of Agreement and Official Statements According to a foreign affairs statement, US operations at the airports would be focused on logistics, assisting with resupply efforts and regular staff changes. The government provided no further details regarding the scope. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has previously commended US operations targeting suspected drug ships in regional waters, actions that have reportedly led to numerous deaths, among them a number of Trinidadian citizens. Initial Claims and Subsequent Revelations Initially, Persad-Bissessar claimed a US C-17 aircraft that landed in Tobago was transporting marines to help on a civilian road construction project. However, when pictures emerged of the defense system, she conceded that at least 100 marines were present in the country, along with the high-performance radar. The radar, thought to be a long-range AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR, is used for aerial monitoring, air defense, and artillery detection capabilities. Proximity and Geography Trinidad and Tobago is situated extremely close from Venezuela at their closest point. It has main 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 naval vessel was stationed in Trinidad's capital, as part of the Trump administration's growing military posture on Venezuela. Meanwhile, US lawmakers have expressed doubts about the lawfulness of the recent maritime strikes and have called for a review process.