As US military personnel arrived in Trinidad and Tobago (TT) for a week-long training mission with the TT Defence Force (TTDF), concerns over escalating tensions with neighboring Venezuela have surfaced. The US Embassy, however, has sought to allay fears, emphasizing the longstanding security cooperation between the US and TT, which it claims benefits both nations and the broader region. This marks the second visit by the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), deployed in the Caribbean since late August to combat suspected narco-trafficking. Their previous visit in October saw the USS Gravely, a guided missile destroyer, dock in Port of Spain, sparking accusations from Venezuela of provocation and collusion with US intelligence agencies. Foreign Minister Sean Sobers announced the return of the 22nd MEU for exercises in urban and rural settings, including nighttime helicopter operations. The rapid succession of US military activities in the region, coupled with recent airstrikes targeting drug smugglers, has raised eyebrows. While Washington frames its presence as a counter-narcotics effort, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro views it as a threat. US President Donald Trump has hinted at further actions against Venezuela, though specifics remain undisclosed. TT’s government, led by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, has expressed strong support for US military actions, citing the country’s vulnerability to illegal drug and weapons trade from Venezuela. The US Embassy highlighted recent collaborations, including infrastructure upgrades and donations to a local school, as well as joint training exercises aimed at enhancing regional security. These efforts, the embassy asserts, underscore the enduring partnership between the US and TT, rooted in shared values and mutual defense goals.