The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, has denounced on his weekly program Con Maduro+ that the prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago is seriously jeopardizing the peace of the Caribbean by authorizing the installation of a foreign military force on its territory with the aim of threatening his country.
The head of state affirmed that this action represents a “mortgage” on Trinidadian sovereignty, by granting control of its waters and territory—located just 15 kilometers from the Venezuelan coast—for hostile purposes aimed at destabilizing the region.
Maduro stressed that this unilateral measure undermines the historic brotherhood between the two nations. “We have a shared history spanning centuries,” he emphasized, while questioning the legal basis that would allow the prime minister to make such a significant decision without consulting her defense institutions.
The Venezuelan president warned that this policy constitutes “a misstep against peace” and cautioned about the serious consequences it will have for the region, declared a zone of peace. He also emphasized the profound rejection of this measure by the Trinidadian people.
The Venezuelan president’s denunciation comes amid a climate of growing tension. Former Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Keith Rowley, stated that the current government — led by Kamla Persad-Bissessar — is exposing the country to conflict by allowing military exercises with US forces without proper consultation.
Rowley pointed out that the presence of foreign troops could make the country’s offshore platforms “legitimate targets” in a confrontation scenario. This warning comes in response to the announcement of joint maneuvers between local forces and the US 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Trinidadian Foreign Minister Sean Sobers insisted that the exercises were not related to Venezuela. However, local military sources informed Guardian Media that senior commanders had not been notified beforehand about the scope of the operations.
In this context, President Nicolás Maduro also responded to statements by US President Donald Trump regarding possible talks. The Venezuelan president reiterated that “differences can only be resolved through diplomacy” and ruled out any intervention, stating: “Anyone who wants to talk to Venezuela will do so face to face.”
IMAGE CREDIT: The Venezuelan president reiterated that “differences can only be resolved through diplomacy.” Photo: Presidential Press Office
[ SOURCE: teleSUR ]
