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Officials in Trinidad and Tobago has stated it will authorize the United States military to operate from its airports in coming weeks. This move follows mounting regional tensions between the US and nearby Venezuela.

New Defense System Raises Questions

The news follows the recent setup of a advanced radar system at an airport in Tobago. National authorities state the radar's intended role is for combating local criminal activity, stressing it will not be a base for attacks against another country.

Skeptics caution, however, that this cooperation risks pulling Trinidad and Tobago into former President Donald Trump's intensifying political strategy against Venezuela's president Nicolás Maduro.

Nature of Access and Government Explanation

In a ministry statement, US use at the airports would be “logistical in nature”, facilitating stocking provisions and regular staff changes. The government offered no specifics beyond this.

The nation's leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar has previously praised US operations targeting suspected drug boats in regional waters, actions that have allegedly led to multiple fatalities, including a number of Trinidadian citizens.

Earlier Statements and Later Disclosures

Initially, Persad-Bissessar stated a US C-17 aircraft that landed in Tobago was carrying marines to assist with a local road construction project. Yet, when pictures emerged of the defense system, she acknowledged that at least 100 marines were present in the country, accompanied by the high-performance radar.

The radar, identified as a long-range AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR, is marketed as air surveillance, air defense, and counter-fire operations.

Close Neighbors

The twin-island nation is situated a mere seven miles from Venezuela at their narrowest separation. It has two primary international gateways: Piarco International in Trinidad and ANR Robinson International in Tobago.

The airport access agreement comes after a prior event in October, when a US naval vessel docked in Trinidad's capital, as part of the Trump administration's growing military pressure towards Venezuela.

Meanwhile, Congressional representatives have raised questions about the lawfulness of the recent maritime strikes and have announced a formal investigation.