From the northern coast of Trinidad, Venezuela shimmers on the horizon, a close neighbor often seen alongside the distant structures of offshore gas platforms. Soon, a far more imposing silhouette may join them: one of the United States’ largest aircraft carriers.
A surge of American military power is descending upon the southern Caribbean, framed by the U.S. administration as a decisive blow against Venezuelan narco-traffickers. The focus is sharply fixed on Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, and increasingly, on Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, both accused of facilitating the flow of illicit drugs into the United States.
This escalating campaign, however, is creating a profound dilemma for Trinidad and Tobago, a small island nation vital to U.S. and European energy supplies. Newly appointed Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has publicly supported the U.S. actions, dismissing concerns that they infringe upon Trinidad’s sovereignty and international law.
Persad-Bissessar believes a strong stance against drug trafficking will help quell the violence that has given Trinidad one of the world’s highest murder rates. But her support is also driven by a calculated risk: the hope that Washington will unlock access to vast Venezuelan gas reserves, crucial for sustaining the nation’s massive energy processing facilities as its own supplies dwindle.
That hope is quickly fading. In a retaliatory move, Venezuela has revoked key energy deals – primarily impacting Shell and BP – effectively cutting off gas supplies to Trinidad’s industries. This action dramatically raises the economic stakes of the country’s alliance with the White House.
“Faced with the Prime Minister’s threat to turn Trinidad into an aircraft carrier for the U.S. empire against Venezuela, against South America,” Maduro declared on state television, “energy cooperation is completely suspended.”
Persad-Bissessar’s position also isolates Trinidad from its regional partners. While nearly every other Caribbean nation has declared the region a “zone of peace” and called for adherence to international law, Trinidad stands alone, prioritizing its own security concerns.
“Historically and geographically, we are closest to the source of the problem – the narco-trafficking, the human trafficking, the gun running,” she asserted, alluding to Venezuela, which lies just miles away. “In Trinidad and Tobago, there is clearly no ‘zone of peace.’ We must first take care of our people.”
Since September, U.S. military operations have resulted in the destruction of at least fourteen boats suspected of drug trafficking and the deaths of dozens. But the human cost is becoming tragically clear on the ground.
In the quiet fishing village of Las Cuevas, residents report that two men were killed earlier this month by a U.S. strike while returning from Venezuela. The government insists there’s no proof of U.S. involvement, requesting families file missing persons reports. The U.S. military has not released information regarding the identities of those killed.
Anya Williams, the girlfriend of Chad Joseph, 26, is convinced he is among the dead. He had been working in Venezuela to support their two young children and was attempting to return home when the incident occurred. His silence, coinciding with the U.S. announcement of a destroyed vessel, has shattered her world.
“He didn’t need money,” Williams sobbed, “I could afford to give him everything he wanted. He was the love of my life.”
Chad’s uncle, Columbia Salvary, explained that many young men from the village routinely cross to Venezuela for work and trade, a journey that once took less than an hour. Now, fear has grounded the boats and silenced the harbor.
“The president of the United States is bombing boats without investigating,” Salvary lamented. “He’s not providing coordinates or proof, he’s just bombing people out of the water, and that has to be illegal.” His concerns are echoed by groups like the Center for Civilians in Conflict, which has labeled the strikes “extrajudicial killings.”
The Trump administration defends the actions, arguing that destroying the boats is the only effective way to stem the flow of drugs. A White House spokesperson stated that these strikes target “designated narcoterrorists bringing deadly poison to our shores.”
This situation exemplifies Trump’s assertive approach to Latin America, including talk of attacking the Venezuelan mainland to dismantle drug gangs and authorizing the CIA to act against Maduro, whom he has labeled a terrorist. The Justice Department has already charged Maduro with “narco-terrorism” and corruption.
The military presence is escalating. The USS Gravely destroyer recently docked in Trinidad’s capital, and the massive USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier is en route. Maduro views the renewed drug war as a pretext for his removal, warning of a “new forever war.”
Trinidad stands to benefit from a change in leadership in Venezuela, where U.S. sanctions have stalled crucial business deals. While the Trump administration initially blocked a deal to develop Venezuela’s Dragon gas field with Shell, it later signaled approval – contingent on U.S. company involvement. Now, Venezuela is obstructing the path forward.
Trinidad’s gas production peaked in 2010, and shortages are now commonplace, disrupting the output of vital products like liquified gas, methanol, and ammonia. The energy sector contributes significantly to the nation’s economy, accounting for over a quarter of its GDP and nearly 80% of its exports.
Energy Minister Roodal Moonilal insists Trinidad “will not be blackmailed” by Venezuela and will pursue increased domestic production and deep-water exploration. The nation is also exploring gas imports from Grenada, Guyana, and Suriname.
The situation is taking a toll. Canada-based Nutrien recently shut down its Trinidad nitrogen production facility due to port restrictions and gas shortages. “We need the gas,” explained political science professor Bishnu Ragoonath. “Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said that Trinidad will crumble without access to Venezuelan gas, and that’s a reality.”
As Trinidad aligns with the U.S., Persad-Bissessar has announced the deportation of over 200 Venezuelan convicts, prompting Venezuela to declare her persona non grata. Back in Las Cuevas, a sense of foreboding hangs heavy in the air.
At the local church, the pastor quoted Matthew, speaking of “wars and rumours of war.” Wayne McLean, a churchgoer and local government financial manager, expressed a grim outlook. He fears external forces are poisoning relations between the two nations, turning neighbors against each other.
“We are neighbours,” he said, his voice filled with concern. “If you don’t like Venezuelans, you don’t like yourself.”
