分类： world

The USS Gerald R Ford, the world’s largest military aircraft carrier, has arrived in the southern Caribbean Sea as part of a significant U.S. military build-up in the region. The deployment, led by the Gerald R Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG), marks the largest military presence in the Caribbean in decades. While the U.S. government has framed the operation as a mission to combat narco-trafficking and dismantle transnational criminal organizations, it has also intensified pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, whom Washington views as an illegitimate leader facilitating illicit trade. The arrival of the CSG was confirmed in a November 16 statement, emphasizing its role in supporting the U.S. Southern Command’s (SOUTHCOM) efforts to counter narco-terrorism and protect the Homeland. Admiral Alvin Holsey, SOUTHCOM commander, highlighted the group’s readiness to address transnational threats destabilizing the region. The CSG will join forces already stationed in the Caribbean, including the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, as part of Joint Task Force Southern Spear. Rear Admiral Paul Lanzilotta, commander of Carrier Strike Group 12, described the USS Gerald R Ford as the most capable and lethal platform globally, deployed to safeguard national security and prosperity. The fleet’s presence coincides with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit’s second visit to Trinidad and Tobago (TT) for joint training with the TT Defence Force (TTDF) from November 16 to 21. While TT’s Foreign Minister Sean Sobers defended the collaboration as essential for combating illegal drugs and weapons, Venezuelan President Maduro condemned the military exercises, warning they threaten regional peace. Maduro has accused the U.S. of seeking to overthrow him and called for public protests against the drills. This deployment follows the 22nd MEU’s first visit in October, which sparked similar condemnation from Caracas, leading to halted petrochemical deals with TT and the labeling of TT’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar as persona non grata.

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.

The Treaty of Paris in 1763 marked a significant moment for British control over Tobago, yet the aftermath was far from peaceful. The British administration faced immediate challenges, as France, though subdued at the negotiation table, harbored intentions to reclaim the island. Recognizing the precariousness of their position, the British prioritized security, understanding that their survival hinged on robust defenses. Their initial strategy involved increasing the British landowning population to bolster loyalty and defense against potential French incursions. However, this plan faltered, as the number of resident British landowners remained insufficient. The administration also established a militia to counter external threats, including French privateers and pirates, as well as internal resistance from the growing enslaved population. Despite these efforts, the island’s vulnerability persisted, particularly due to its numerous bays, which served as entry points for slavers and hideouts for pirates. The British sought to enhance security by appointing military ranks to defend the bays, but this proved inadequate given the limited human resources. Simultaneously, the administration focused on land division, creating plantations but neglecting essential infrastructure like roads. This oversight was later addressed through the imposition of a land tax and the enlistment of enslaved laborers for road construction. The ambitious plan aimed to connect the island’s parishes and improve communication, but progress was slow and hampered by resistance from enslaved Africans and the limited availability of qualified white men. Ultimately, the British administration’s inability to fortify Tobago’s defenses and establish effective communication networks left the island vulnerable. In 1781, France capitalized on these weaknesses, recapturing Tobago and dealing a significant blow to the British planting community.

The United States military is set to return to Trinidad and Tobago next week for a joint training exercise with the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF). The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) will participate in the drills, which are scheduled from November 16 to 21. This marks the second such exercise in just over a month, following a similar engagement in October that saw the USS Gravely dock in Port of Spain. The exercises, which will span both rural and urban environments, aim to enhance military-to-military collaboration, focusing on equipment familiarity, tactical training, and professional development. US military assets, including helicopters, will be utilized during the operations, which are planned primarily for dusk and nighttime. Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers emphasized the importance of these exercises, stating, ‘Steel sharpens steel,’ and highlighting their role in strengthening the TTDF’s capacity to combat illegal drugs and weapons. However, the exercises have drawn criticism from Venezuela, which accused Trinidad of facilitating US military aggression. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has placed his military on high alert and mobilized civilian militias in response. US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Dr. Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz defended the exercises, stating they align with US Southern Command’s mission to promote regional stability and counter transnational threats. Meanwhile, former officials and critics have raised concerns about the timing and scale of the exercises, with some suggesting they may be a precursor to broader military actions in the region.