Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago — A U.S. Navy warship docked in Trinidad and Tobago this week, signaling an increased American military presence in the region amid rising tensions with Venezuela.
The vessel, USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43), arrived at the Port of Spain Naval Base as part of scheduled joint exercises with Caribbean allies and to support maritime security operations in the southern Caribbean. U.S. officials emphasized that the deployment is defensive in nature and aimed at ensuring regional stability.
Relations between the U.S. and Venezuela have deteriorated over the past year due to political unrest in Caracas, economic sanctions, and accusations from Washington that Venezuela is supporting transnational criminal activity. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has previously stated that American forces will continue “patrolling international waters to maintain freedom of navigation” in areas near Venezuela.
Trinidad and Tobago’s government confirmed that the warship’s visit is part of routine cooperation with the U.S. Navyand noted that no combat operations are planned. “We welcome international partners for joint training and capacity building, ensuring the security of our maritime borders,” said the Trinidadian defense minister.
Analysts note that the Caribbean has increasingly become a strategic area for the U.S., particularly in monitoring Venezuelan oil shipments, migration flows, and potential security threats. “The presence of U.S. naval assets in Trinidad demonstrates both deterrence and readiness, without signaling imminent conflict,” said Dr. Ricardo Mendes, a security analyst based in Miami.
The warship is expected to remain in Trinidad for several days before conducting coordinated exercises with regional partners in the southern Caribbean.