An American warship has docked in Trinidad and Tobago for joint military exercises. The US has increased its military presence in the Caribbean, bombing what the White House says are drug smuggling boats from Venezuela.
Trinidad and Tobago has relations with both countries and is in a difficult position.

Port of Spain

A U.S. warship, the USS Gravely, has docked in Trinidad and Tobago during a period of heightened regional tension, particularly involving neighboring Venezuela. The Trinidadian government has downplayed concerns, stating there is no cause for alarm, even as the U.S. increases its naval presence in the Caribbean to combat drug trafficking, which it alleges involves the Venezuelan government.

Trinidad and Tobago, positioned close to Venezuela, has seen a rise in crime and an influx of Venezuelan migrants fleeing economic hardship. The government has strengthened ties with the U.S., echoing Washington's rhetoric on drug trafficking, while balancing critical relationships with both Venezuela and the U.S. Observers note that the government's foreign policy shift could have significant economic and political implications.

U.S. warship docks in Trinidad and Tobago amid Venezuela tensions

Life in the court of Spain continues mostly as normal. But the shadow of conflict hangs over the city. The U.S. warship is docked less than a kilometer from here. The country is too small for us. The Trinidadian government insists there is nothing to be concerned about. But during possibly the most tense period in the region's recent history, The people of this island, which lies so close to Venezuela they can see it on a clear day, would be forgiven for thinking otherwise. Is that ship arriving at the request of Trinidad or the United States? That ship is arriving at the request of the U.S. Defense Minister Wayne Sturge spoke exclusively to Al Jazeera on the eve of the USS Gravely's arrival. In recent weeks, the U.S. has built up its naval power and troops in the Caribbean, fighting illegal drugs. The Trump administration, without providing evidence, has accused the Venezuelan government of being deeply involved in smuggling. Since September, U.S. attacks on vessels that it says are trafficking drugs have killed more than 40 people. The reality is we benefit from it because Trinidad and Tobago has in the past been identified as a major transshipment point. And as a result, there's always a spinoff which has caused tens of thousands of lives being lost. We have, in essence, been having a war on drugs. We haven't been that successful. Crime on this island of 1.5 million people has been increasing for years, something the government blames on the growing influence of cartels. Just recently, thousands of undocumented Venezuelan migrants have arrived here, fleeing dire economic conditions at home. Those two factors have led the government to echo Washington's rhetoric, strengthening their relationship. Trinidad and Tobago has critically important relationships with both Venezuela and the U.S. The former, with the largest gas reserves in the world, is a key partner when it comes to energy security here. The latter, the island's largest trading partner. If either of those relationships go sour, it could have detrimental effects both economically and politically in this country. But for now, at least, the government seems to have chosen a side. Now with the change of government, we have seen a complete turnabout with our foreign policy that I guess is the prerogative of the new government. But it has put us into a very dangerous position because as you see the United States moving military assets, which has not happened in this region for decades and decades. Many in this region still bear the scars of U.S. interventions and are watching Trinidad and Tobago's politicians closely as they tread a complex and dangerous path. Julia Galeano, Al Jazeera, Port of Spain.

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