US military begins conducting drills near Venezuela

The USS Gravely warship is seen at a distance off the coast of Port of Spain

The USS Gravely warship is seen at a distance off the coast of Port of Spain on October 26, 2025. The US warship will visit Trinidad and Tobago for joint exercises near the coast of Venezuela amid Washington’s campaign against alleged drug traffickers in the region. (Photo by Martin BERNETTI / AFP) (Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP via Getty Images)

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(NewsNation) — As the United States builds its military presence near Venezuela, American officials and those from the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago announced they are beginning military drills Sunday.

Trinidad and Tobago lies just miles off the coast of Venezuela. 

This all comes as the U.S. is considering attacking Venezuela. President Donald Trump told reporters Friday that he thinks he has made up his mind whether to launch such an attack to combat narco-terrorism, which the U.S. blames on Venezuela.

A key Marine Corps force, the Marine Corps 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, is participating in the training exercises along with the defense forces of Trinidad and Tobago, the U.S. embassy in Trinidad announced.

The exercises are set to last five days, a press release said.

Trinidad’s Foreign Minister Sean Sobers confirmed the exercises in an interview with a local newspaper. 

The U.S. is expected to intensify exercises with Trinidad and Tobago, the country’s attorney general told the Financial Times.

World

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