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The government of Trinidad and Tobago has confirmed it will authorize the United States military to access its airports shortly. This move comes as increasing regional tensions between the US and its neighbor Venezuela.

Radar Installation Raises Questions

This announcement follows the recent deployment of a sophisticated radar system at an airport in Tobago. National officials state the radar's sole use is for combating domestic crime, stressing it will not be a base for attacks against another country.

Government opponents argue, however, that this cooperation might entangle Trinidad and Tobago into ex-President Donald Trump's ongoing pressure campaign against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.

Nature of Access and Government Explanation

As per a foreign affairs statement, US activities at the airports would be focused on logistics, facilitating resupply efforts and routine personnel rotations. Officials provided no further details beyond this.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has previously supported US operations targeting suspected drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, strikes that have allegedly resulted in multiple fatalities, among them several Trinidadian citizens.

Initial Claims and Subsequent Revelations

Initially, Persad-Bissessar said a US C-17 aircraft that landed in Tobago was carrying marines to support a local road construction project. However, following photographic evidence of the defense system, she admitted that at least 100 marines were on the ground in the country, along with the powerful radar.

This system, identified as a long-range AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR, is used for air surveillance, defense, and artillery detection operations.

Proximity and Geography

Trinidad and Tobago lies extremely close from Venezuela at their narrowest separation. The country has main international gateways: Piarco International in Trinidad and ANR Robinson International in Tobago.

This development comes after a previous incident in October, when a US naval vessel docked in Trinidad's capital, as part of the Trump administration's growing military posture towards Venezuela.

Meanwhile, American legislators have expressed doubts about the lawfulness of the aforementioned maritime strikes and have announced a formal investigation.