The capital city of Trinidad and Tobago recently witnessed the arrival of a US warship, a move that underscores the Trump administration’s escalating military stance against Venezuela and its leader, Nicolás Maduro. This deployment is part of a broader strategy to exert pressure on the neighboring South American nation.

Adding to this display of military might is the USS Gravely, a guided missile destroyer that docked in the Caribbean nation’s capital. This arrival is part of a coordinated effort alongside the repositioning of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford, which is inching closer to Venezuelan waters.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has condemned these maneuvers, viewing them as an attempt by the United States to incite a “new eternal war” against his country. He has been vocal in his criticism, suggesting that these actions are part of a larger agenda by the US government.

In a controversial statement, US President Donald Trump has accused Maduro of being at the helm of the Tren de Aragua, a notorious organized crime syndicate, although he has yet to provide supporting evidence for these claims.

Officials from both Trinidad and Tobago and the United States have indicated that the presence of the impressive warship is slated to continue until Thursday. During this time, the two nations plan to engage in a series of joint training exercises, strengthening their collaborative military capabilities.

A senior military official in Trinidad and Tobago told The 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.

Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, has been a vocal supporter of the US military presence and the deadly strikes on suspected drug boats in waters off Venezuela.

US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz said in a statement that the exercises seek to “address shared threats like transnational crime and build resilience through training, humanitarian missions, and security efforts.”

The visit comes one week after the US Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago warned Americans to stay away from US government facilities there.

Local authorities said a reported threat against Americans prompted the warning.

Many people in Trinidad and Tobago criticise the warship’s docking in town.

At a recent demonstration outside the US Embassy, David Abdulah, the leader of the Movement for Social Justice political party, said Trinidad and Tobago should not have allowed the warship into its waters.

“This is a warship in Trinidad, which will be anchored here for several days just miles off Venezuela when there’s a threat of war,” Abdulah said.

Caricom, a regional trade bloc made up of 15 Caribbean countries, has called for dialogue.

Trinidad and Tobago is a member of the group, but Persad-Bissessar has said the region is not a zone of peace, citing the number of murders and other violent crimes.