The government of Trinidad and Tobago has announced it will permit the United States military to use its airports for logistical support in the coming weeks. This decision comes against a backdrop of significantly heightened tensions between the US and neighbouring Venezuela.
Strategic Access in a Volatile Region
In a statement released on Monday, 15 December 2025, Trinidad and Tobago's Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified the arrangement. It stated the US would utilise the airports for activities "logistical in nature, facilitating supply replenishment and routine personnel rotations." The ministry did not elaborate with further specifics on the operations.
This development follows the recent installation of a US military radar system at the ANR Robinson International Airport in Tobago. The Caribbean nation's government has consistently maintained that this radar is intended for combating local crime. It has also stressed that the small twin-island state would not become a launchpad for attacks against any other country.
Escalating US Military Pressure on Venezuela
The context for this access agreement is a sustained US military build-up near Venezuela. Since September, the US has conducted strikes on vessels it alleges are involved in drug trafficking within the Caribbean. These operations have reportedly resulted in more than 80 fatalities.
The US naval presence has grown substantially, now including its largest aircraft carrier. In a clear show of force, a US warship docked in Port of Spain, Trinidad's capital, in October. These actions are part of the Trump administration's strategy to increase military pressure on the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Geopolitical Implications and Scrutiny
The proximity of Trinidad and Tobago to Venezuela adds a critical geopolitical dimension. At their closest point, only seven miles of sea separate the two nations. Trinidad and Tobago possesses two primary international airports: Piarco on Trinidad and ANR Robinson on Tobago, both now of strategic interest.
Prime Minister Keith Rowley has previously expressed support for the ongoing US-led strikes against alleged drug vessels. However, the policy is not without its critics. US lawmakers have raised serious questions about the legality of the maritime strikes in both the Caribbean and the eastern Pacific. They have recently announced a congressional review into these operations, signalling domestic political scrutiny alongside international tension.
