The role the Caribbean played in helping the US to depose Maduro

"We have started 2026 with a geopolitical shock as the Trump administration ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and imprisoned him on US soil. As many western governments struggle to respond to this violation of international law, for Caribbean countries, this is not an awkward diplomatic spot but a real moment of political fear, uncertainty, and regional fracture. Maritime ever-present Trinidad endorses US presence in the region under the pretence of combating transnational crime."

"One way that has happened is through military cooperation. On 28 November, a radar appeared in a coastal neighbourhood of Tobago, described by the New York Times as a state-of-the-art mobile long-range sensor known as G/ATOR, or Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar, that is owned by the US Marines and is worth tens of millions of dollars. Along with the sophisticated equipment, US military jets and troops arrived on the island, which is only 7 miles from Venezuela."

"Since September, the US has launched at least 21 airstrikes on alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, killing more than 80 people reportedly including several Trinidadian citizens.Persad-Bissessar has long expressed support for strikes on Venezuelan vessels and for US military buildup in the Caribbean. In mid-November, Venezuela accused her of helping the US seize an oil tanker."

2026 began with a geopolitical shock as the Trump administration ousted Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and imprisoned him on US soil. Western governments struggled to respond to a violation of international law. Caribbean countries faced fear, uncertainty, and regional fracture. Trinidad and Tobago prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar aligned with Donald Trump and endorsed US presence to combat transnational crime. Military cooperation included a G/ATOR long-range radar, US jets, and troops arriving in Tobago, seven miles from Venezuela. Since September the US launched at least 21 airstrikes, killing more than 80 people, reportedly including several Trinidadian citizens. Persad-Bissessar supported strikes on Venezuelan vessels and US military buildup, and Venezuela accused her of helping seize an oil tanker.

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