Amid growing tension between Venezuela and the United States over bombings and the deployment of US forces in international waters, an announcement has been made in the international context that adds to the actions generating friction between the two countries.
Troops assigned to the United States Southern Command will arrive on the island of Trinidad and Tobago to conduct joint training exercises with the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force. This was announced by the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Foreign Affairs and CARICOM.
For context, the island is located just 11 kilometers off the Venezuelan coast. Meanwhile, the Gulf of Paria (between Trinidad and the Venezuelan peninsula) is about 13 km wide at its narrowest point.
What is the reason for these activities?
These operations, which are part of"the long history of collaboration between the TTDF and the United States Army," will take place from November 16 to 21 of this year.
Among the arguments, Trinidad and Tobago maintains that this is exclusively an exchange that responds to a domestic policy."(The country) continues to be affected by the plague of firearms-related crime and gang violence," the Ministry noted in the statement.
For that reason, the government stated that the intensified military exercises are part of a coordinated strategy from the State to ensure that its personnel are trained and well prepared to face these internal problems.
The Ministry maintains that these kinds of problems are occurring in the domestic sphere and have had a significant impact on society."These actions fulfill a key commitment of the Government Manifesto to restore order in Trinidad and Tobago."
What will be happening from November 16th to 21st in Trinidad and Tobago?
The objective of these activities, according to the statement, is the exchange of knowledge between personnel from both countries regarding equipment, tactics, and techniques."The training will take place in various urban and rural areas of Trinidad and Tobago, with operations scheduled for dusk and night," the text reads.
