The Attorney General told the British newspaper Financial Times that the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) will intensify its exercises “in the coming days.” The country of Trinidad and Tobago is located on an archipelago, with its western end about ten kilometers from Venezuela. Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez previously described the military exercises organized by the Trinidadian government from October 26 to 30 as a hostile provocation and a serious threat to peace in the Caribbean region. The United States justifies its actions by combating drug trafficking. In September and October, American forces repeatedly used their weapons to destroy boats near the Venezuelan coast, allegedly transporting drugs. NBC News reported in late September that American forces are working on options to target drug traffickers within Venezuela. In November, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the days of Nicolas Maduro at the head of Venezuela are numbered, while also affirming that Washington does not plan to wage war against Caracas.
