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The U.S. Marine Corps forces begin joint training exercises with Trinidad and Tobago on November 16, 2025, as a part of a widening regional deployment that Washington says is aimed at countering drug trafficking and strengthening security partnerships.

The announcement comes days after President Donald Trump said he has “made up” his mind on possible military operations in Venezuela, adding new urgency to concerns over escalating tensions in the region.

The U.S. Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago confirmed that the exercises will run from Sunday through Friday during the week and will involve the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is already deployed under U.S. Southern Command.

Embassy chargé d’affaires Dr. Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz said the drills will focus on regional stability, transnational threats, and disaster response capabilities, and will be held in coordination with Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force leadership, local officials, and emergency services.

She said the engagements emphasize “partnership, professionalism, and shared experiences,” adding that cultural respect and community safety remain central to the mission.

Trinidad and Tobago’s government also issued a statement on Friday, confirming the schedule of the drills and underscoring their importance for domestic security.

The foreign ministry said the exercises form part of a “longstanding history of collaboration” with Washington and are intended to help law enforcement and military personnel tackle gun-related crimes and gang violence, which continue to strain the country’s resources.

The twin-island nation, located just seven miles off the coast of Venezuela, has emerged as a key location in Washington’s Caribbean operations. The government described the new training cycle as part of a “coordinated strategy” to ensure personnel are equipped to handle mounting security challenges at home.

Growing US Military Activity in the Caribbean

The new exercises come amid a broader expansion of U.S. military activity across the Caribbean. The U.S. has deployed warships, surveillance aircraft, fighter jets, and thousands of troops to the region in recent weeks.

Since early September, Trump has authorized strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, resulting in at least 80 deaths across 20 incidents. The administration has labeled the targets “narco-terrorists” but has not publicly provided evidence.

Last month, the USS Gravely, a guided-missile destroyer, docked in Trinidad for four days of drills, a move that angered Caracas and prompted Venezuela to suspend an energy agreement with Trinidad and Tobago.

Venezuelan officials accused Trinidad and Tobago of acting as “a U.S. aircraft carrier” and criticized what they described as provocative U.S. military actions in the region.

The U.S. presence grew further last week with the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford, America’s largest aircraft carrier, marking one of the most significant U.S. naval deployments to Latin American waters in decades.

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth also announced a new “Southern Spear” operation directed at what Washington calls “narco-terrorists from our Hemisphere.” The Pentagon has not clarified how the mission differs from previous operations.

Tensions With Venezuela

The growing military presence has escalated tensions with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who has condemned the exercises as “irresponsible” and accused the U.S. of attempting to ignite conflict in the region.

During an address in Caracas on Saturday, Maduro criticized Trinidad and Tobago for “lending its waters” to U.S. forces and urged supporters in eastern Venezuela to hold vigils and marches during the exercises.

“This government has once again announced irresponsible exercises,” Maduro said. “They are intended to be threatening to a republic like Venezuela, which does not allow itself to be threatened by anyone.”

In response to the arrival of U.S. naval forces, Caracas has deployed nearly 200,000 soldiers in what it describes as a defensive mobilization. Venezuelan officials have said the U.S. buildup amounts to psychological warfare aimed at destabilizing the country and controlling regional resources.

U.S. media outlets have reported that Trump was recently presented with options for potential military operations inside Venezuela. Although the president previously denied considering strikes, he said on Friday that he has “sort of made up my mind” on the next steps and believes Maduro’s “days are numbered.”

Regional Reactions and Intensified Drills

Trinidad and Tobago officials deny that the exercises serve as a precursor to U.S. military action against Venezuela. Foreign Minister Sean Sobers said on Friday that the training is focused solely on reinforcing the country’s capacity to address domestic security issues, including gang activity and drug-related crime.

The government noted that the drills will allow local forces to become familiar with U.S. military tactics and techniques, allowing for more effective cooperation during future operations. Officials also highlighted that last month’s visit of the USS Gravely was part of a routine pattern of engagement.

Still, the exercises have deepened broader geopolitical tensions. The U.S. recently authorized Trinidad and Tobago to exploit the Dragon gas field in waters claimed by Venezuela despite ongoing American sanctions on Caracas’s energy sector. The decision added pressure to already-strained relations between the neighboring countries.

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado welcomed the expanded U.S. presence, calling it necessary to weaken Maduro’s grip on power. In a voice message addressed to security forces, Machado said that “the roar of this land that demands freedom grows” and urged military personnel to abandon the government.

Meanwhile, Maduro continues to insist that the Venezuelan public supports his stance, saying on Saturday that “Venezuelans are on the streets calling for peace” and that they will not become “slaves to gringos.”

A Widening US Strategy in the Region

The joint drills in Trinidad and Tobago mark the second such activity between the two countries in less than a month, underscoring Washington’s strategy to reinforce its network of regional partnerships.

U.S. officials say the expanded military presence is essential to counter drug smuggling and strengthen regional stability. Critics argue that the scale of the deployments suggests broader objectives.

As the exercises continue through November 21, the United States appears poised to maintain a heightened military posture across the Caribbean.

With tensions rising and diplomatic disputes widening, the region faces the prospect of continued friction between Washington, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela, with the U.S. military presence becoming an increasingly central factor in the Caribbean’s evolving security landscape.