US destroyer docks in Trinidad and Tobago, upping pressure on neighbouring Venezuela
The arrival of the USS Gravely near Venezuela was blasted by Caracas as a ‘hostile provocation’
A US warship docked in Trinidad and Tobago’s capital on Sunday as the Trump administration boosted military pressure on neighbouring Venezuela and its President Nicolas Maduro.
The arrival of the USS Gravely, a guided missile destroyer, in the capital of the Caribbean nation was in addition to the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, which was moving closer to Venezuela. Maduro criticised the movement of the carrier as an attempt by the US government to fabricate “a new eternal war” against his country.
US President Donald Trump has accused Maduro, without providing evidence, of being the leader of the organised crime gang Tren de Aragua.
Government officials from the twin-island nation and the US said the massive warship would remain in Trinidad until Thursday so both countries could carry out training exercises.
A senior military official in Trinidad and Tobago told Associated Press that the move was only recently scheduled. The official spoke under condition of anonymity due to lack of authorisation to discuss the matter publicly.