increasing tension in the Caribbean; The presence of a 9,000-ton US destroyer near Venezuela

A US Navy destroyer and a group of US Marines have arrived in Trinidad and Tobago, amid rising tensions between Washington and Caracas. According to military sources, these forces have been deployed to conduct joint exercises with local forces, but their presence in this area is considered a clear and decisive message to the Venezuelan government.

These forces include the destroyer USS Gravely, hull number DDG-107, and Marines of the US Navy’s 22nd Division. On the surface, this operation is a normal military cooperation between the two countries, which includes training exercises, port visits and security coordination, but the time and place of its implementation has a special strategic importance.

The choice of Trinidad was completely calculated. This island is located in the direct vicinity of Venezuela, and the distance between the straits known as Dragon’s Mouths is only about 11 kilometers. As a result, when an American destroyer docks there, it is effectively within sight of Venezuelan waters. This means that the United States now has a front-line destroyer and a naval rapid response unit within striking distance of Venezuela.

The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Gravely is among the most advanced warships in the world and is equipped with the Aegis combat system, the SPY-1D(V) radar and a set of vertical missile launchers for air defense and long-range attacks. This class of destroyers replaces the older Charles F. Adams class destroyers and has a completely new hull design. The weight of these ships varies between 8,230 and 9,700 tons. Their main task is to control the airspace, track submarines and coordinate operations between ships and aircraft. Symbolically and operationally, experts believe that this destroyer is one of the most powerful naval units that the US can send to the region without sending an aircraft carrier.

Next to that, the 22nd Expeditionary Unit of the United States Marine Corps is a group of highly trained Marines who can be deployed anywhere in the world at short notice. These forces are capable of carrying out various operations, including emergency evacuation, dealing with terrorism and even carrying out limited attacks. These units are usually deployed on amphibious assault ships, but can also operate from land or nearby ports. The combination of the destroyer USS Gravely and this expeditionary force provides the Pentagon with a powerful tool for rapid response to potential crises, from natural disasters to military conflicts.

According to military analysts, the deployment of these forces near the borders of Venezuela is a deterrent message. The presence of America in such a close distance is a reminder for Caracas (and indirectly for Moscow and Beijing) that Washington can display its military power in the southern Caribbean region at any moment. At the same time, this action is also considered a form of reassurance to the regional allies of the United States; An effort to strengthen security cooperation in the Caribbean, fight drug trafficking and protect energy infrastructure. Especially considering that Trinidad is one of the main gas producers in the region.

This exercise not only shows the military readiness of the US, but also emphasizes the operational coordination between the two countries. The stated purpose of the exercise, which is joint training and cooperation, is in fact an effort to ensure that US forces and the Trinidad and Tobago military (TTDF) can operate seamlessly together in the event of an actual crisis (such as a hurricane, mass evacuation, or naval operation).

However, from Venezuela’s point of view, this action is more like a show of force or an unofficial blockade. The Caracas government has long accused Washington of trying to destabilize its country. The recent tensions over oil, sanctions, immigration, and Venezuela’s military relations with Russia and Iran have caused any US military presence near the country’s borders to be considered highly provocative.

Even if these exercises are completely ordinary on the surface, the fact is that the presence of an American destroyer and a group of marines within a few kilometers of Venezuelan waters carries a clear political and military message. In the bigger picture, the move is part of a broader pattern of increased US military activity in Latin America and the Caribbean, which includes expanded anti-drug patrols and more joint exercises with island nations in the region.

Finally, these developments show that the Southern Caribbean, which was considered a quiet and inactive region for a long time, has now become a dynamic and competitive scene in the global geopolitical arena, especially considering that Venezuela is re-strengthening its military with the help of Russia and at the same time the US oil embargoes are changing and being redefined.