CaliToday (17/11/2025): The United States has initiated five-day joint military exercises with Trinidad and Tobago, deploying a key Marine Expeditionary Unit just miles off the coast of Venezuela as the Trump administration publicly weighs military action against the South American nation.
The exercises, which began Sunday, involve the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) a flexible, sea-based rapid-response force and members of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force.
While the U.S. Embassy in Port of Spain framed the drills as routine training to "enhance bilateral cooperation" and "strengthen regional security," the timing and location are highly provocative. The drills are taking place in the narrow maritime corridor that separates Trinidad from the Venezuelan mainland, placing U.S. military assets on Caracas's doorstep.
The move is a significant escalation in a "maximum pressure" campaign against Venezuela, which Washington has accused of state-sponsored "narco-terrorism."
"Show of Force" Amidst Attack Considerations
The military maneuvers directly follow inflammatory comments from U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday, the president confirmed that a military strike on Venezuela was actively being considered.
"We are looking at all options," President Trump stated. "They are running a narco-terrorist state... and I think I have made up my mind."
The U.S. has built up its military presence in the Caribbean over recent months, ostensibly to interdict drug trafficking routes. However, critics argue the true purpose is to intimidate and potentially destabilize the Venezuelan government.
Trinidad and Tobago's participation signals a crucial, if delicate, alignment with U.S. regional policy. In an interview with a local newspaper, Trinidad’s Foreign Minister, Sean Sobers, confirmed the joint exercises.
Furthermore, the country's attorney general told the Financial Times that Trinidad and Tobago "is expected to intensify exercises" with the U.S., suggesting a deepening defense relationship as the crisis brews next door.
Domestic Doubts on Intervention
The aggressive posture is not without its critics back home. A recent U.S. poll indicates a deeply divided public, with over half of Americans opposing potential strikes in the Caribbean, even if they are marketed as counter-narcotics operations against "suspected drug boats."
The data suggests a lack of public appetite for a new military entanglement, creating a potential political hurdle for the administration.
For now, the 22nd MEU's operations will be closely monitored by all regional players. While officially a training exercise, the presence of a U.S. Marine task force in Venezuela's territorial waters serves as a powerful and unambiguous show of force.