“The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela condemns to the international community the military provocation of Trinidad and Tobago undertaken in concert, financed and controlled by the U.S. Southern Command, with the aim of provoking war in the Caribbean,” reads the text of the statement.
The government in Caracas also announced “the capture of a group of mercenaries with information coming directly from the American intelligence agency CIA.” The arrival of the ship with a detachment of marines on board was announced on Thursday. As explained, USS Gravity, equipped with missile launchers, is to participate in joint exercises with the troops of Trinidad and Tobago.
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What maneuvers has the Venezuelan government condemned?
What is USS Gravity?
What actions has the US taken in the Caribbean?
What are the accusations against Nicolas Maduro?
As part of the operation against drug smugglers launched in early September, Washington has already sent seven ships to the Caribbean and one to the Gulf of Mexico. Some of the drug gangs operate from Venezuela, which causes Trump to accuse the country's president, Nicolas Maduro, of having connections with the drug trade.
Maduro denies these accusations and claims that Trump is looking for an excuse to start a war to overthrow him in order to gain access to Venezuelan oil deposits. Since the beginning of September, the US has already carried out 10 raids on ships and boats that the US administration believes belonged to drug smugglers. At least 43 people were killed in these raids.
