Venezuela calls U.S.-Trinidad and Tobago military exercises a "provocation"
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The USS Gravely warship docked in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on Sunday. Photo: Martin Bernetti/AFP via Getty Images
A U.S. warship arrived in Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, prompting a Venezuelan official to accuse the neighboring Caribbean government of conducting "a military provocation" with the CIA.
The big picture: President Trump said earlier this month that he authorized the CIA to secretly conduct operations in Venezuela against drug cartels, but U.S. and Trinidadian and Tobagonian officials have said the presence of the American military in the region is part of long-standing ties between the two nations.
- Tensions have been rising in recent weeks, as the U.S. conducts a military campaign targeting alleged drug boats in the Caribbean Sea with the aims of stopping drugs and, potentially, toppling Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
Driving the news: The Trinidad and Tobago Foreign Ministry said in a Thursday statement the USS Gravely would visit on Oct. 26-30, along with the 22nd U.S. Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is conducting joint training with the island nation's defense force, in order to strengthen "military-to-military cooperation."
- However, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez in a Sunday afternoon statement posted to the official's social media channels claimed the exercises were "aimed at provoking a war" in the Caribbean.
- "A false flag attack is underway in waters bordering Trinidad and Tobago or from Trinidadian or Venezuelan territory to generate a full military confrontation with our country," Rodríguez added.
- Rodríguez did not offer any evidence to back up the claims.
Of note: Trump ally Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) said in an interview with CBS' "60 Minutes" broadcast Sunday evening he did not believe the U.S. was preparing to invade Venezuela and he'd be "surprised" if that were to happen.
- However, he said if he were Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, he'd "head to Russia or China right now."
- "His days are numbered," Scott said. "Something's gonna happen. Whether it's internal or external, I think something's gonna happen."
Meanwhile, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) told CBS' "Face The Nation" Sunday he thinks the Trump administration's strikes in the waters off Venezuela will expand to land.
- Graham said Trump planned to brief lawmakers on "potential future military operations against Venezuela and Colombia."
What they're saying: The Trinidad and Tobago Foreign Ministry said in a statement Sunday that it had taken note of Venezuela's statement.
- "The visit of the USS Gravely aims to bolster the fight against transnational crime and build resilience through training, humanitarian activities, and cooperation" in addition to strengthening a longstanding partnership between the two countries, per the statement that was posted to Facebook.
- "The government of Trinidad and Tobago has repeatedly made it clear that it values the country's relationship with the people of Venezuela given our shared history and close fraternal relations."
- Representatives for the White House, Pentagon and CIA did not immediately respond to Axios' Thursday evening request for comment.
Go deeper: Trump will brief Congress on expanding Venezuela strikes
Editor's note: This article has been updated with further comment from Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez and more context.
