The revelation that Trinidad and Tobago has permitted the installation of a sophisticated US military radar has ignited significant fears that the Caribbean could become entangled in the escalating geopolitical standoff between the United States and Venezuela.
From Road Construction to Radar Revelation
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar initially sought to downplay concerns after a US C-17 aircraft landed in the twin-island nation. She asserted it was carrying marines to assist with a road construction project and claimed no US military personnel remained. However, this narrative quickly unravelled when images and videos surfaced showing US marines at a Tobago hotel and what appeared to be a radar installation.
Pressed by reporters, Persad-Bissessar admitted on Friday that at least 100 US marines are currently in the country. Accompanying them is a military-grade radar, believed to be a long-range, high-performance AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR system. Manufacturer Northrop Grumman states this technology is used for air surveillance, defence, and counter-fire missions.
A Counter-Drug Strategy or a Strategic Foothold?
The Prime Minister, whose country lies just seven miles from Venezuela at its closest point, defended the move as part of a counter-drug trafficking strategy. She argued that details were withheld for national security reasons and to avoid alerting traffickers. Persad-Bissessar has been a vocal supporter of the recent US military buildup in the Caribbean region.
Since September 2025, the US has conducted at least 21 airstrikes on alleged drug smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, resulting in over 80 fatalities, including several Trinidadian citizens. This campaign has been bolstered by the deployment of the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier strike group to South American waters, a major show of force not seen in decades.
Despite this, Persad-Bissessar firmly rejects claims that the radar is intended to support US pressure against Venezuela. Defence Minister Wayne Sturge echoed this, stating Trinidad and Tobago "is not a launch pad for any military operations".
Political Backlash and Cold War Echoes
The opposition has reacted with fury. Marvin Gonzales, an MP and former national security minister, accused the government of profound deception. "They have sold the soul of the nation for a mess of portage," he declared, suggesting a betrayal of national sovereignty for minimal gain.
David Abdulah, leader of the Movement for Social Justice, went further, alleging the Prime Minister is "complicit in the extrajudicial killings in the Caribbean Sea" through her support for the US strikes. He warned that the radar installation directly involves the nation in US war plans, tarnishing its international reputation.
Caribbean political analyst Peter Wickham warned the action risks dragging the region back to a Cold War-era mentality. He criticised the use of the "war on drugs" as a justification for alliance with the Trump administration and highlighted the permanent implications of the installation. "If you have a US-administered military radar in Tobago, that's essentially a military installation," he said, noting it requires a sustained US presence for maintenance and defence.
Wickham also expressed concern for the region's tourism-dependent economies and suggested the ultimate goal may be action against Venezuela. Former foreign minister Amery Browne accused the Prime Minister of "loudly and publicly cheerleading" a regime-change agenda and illegal airstrikes, deliberately steering the country into a conflict that would put its people and resources at grave risk.
