Trinidad and Tobago mobilizes its armed forces in light of the tension between the United States and Venezuela news

Trinidad and Tobago has placed its armed forces on high alert and recalled all its soldiers to their bases, in light of escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela, neighboring the small archipelago.

A message notified to members of the armed forces and police – seen by Agence France-Presse – said: “As of now, the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Forces are placed on high alert. All personnel should proceed to their bases.” The police also “cancelled all vacations.”

This mobilization comes amid attacks launched by the United States against boats in the Caribbean suspected of drug smuggling. American media also reported that Washington is considering carrying out ground strikes in Venezuela.

The declaration of a state of alert caused panic in the capital, Port of Spain, as residents rushed to stock up on food and fuel.

But the government called on citizens to remain calm, declaring that it was “in intensive contact with the United States Embassy in Port of Spain, and according to the information received, there is no need to worry.”

US President Donald Trump confirmed on Friday that he is not considering launching strikes against Venezuela, which fears that the goal of the US military buildup in the region is to change its regime.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Trump’s same message, denying what was stated in a Miami Herald article about American forces preparing to strike targets in Venezuela.

“Your sources who claim to have knowledge of the situation deceived you and pushed you to write a misleading article,” Rubio said in a post on the X platform.

Since early September, the United States has been carrying out air strikes in the Caribbean against boats it claims belong to drug traffickers, which have so far resulted in the deaths of 62 people.

The United States sent 8 warships to the Caribbean and F-35 fighter planes to Puerto Rico, and the largest aircraft carrier in the world is on its way to the region.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro – whom the United States considers an illegitimate president – accused Washington of using the fight against drug trafficking as a pretext to “impose regime change” in Caracas and seize Venezuelan oil.