The USS Gravely docked in the Port of Spain on Sunday for a stop in Trinidad and Tobago.
U.S. Marines aboard are expected to conduct defense exercises with the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force. This follows another visit from the Navy’s Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort in August that delivered medical services.
This most recent visit, however, is by a warship that functions as a missile destroyer. An appearance from the Gravely could appear as a signal to Venezuela following a series of strikes against its vessels that President Donald Trump claimed were carrying drugs.
According to the U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz, Trinidad and Tobago greeted the Marines with a “warm welcome.”
“The partnership between the United States and Trinidad and Tobago exemplifies regional strength through collaboration. Together, we address shared threats like transnational crime and build resilience through training, humanitarian missions, and security efforts,” Neidhart de Ortiz said in a statement.
“Our longstanding partnership has provided medical care and disaster preparedness training, improved lives, and strengthened communities. Our cooperation ensures greater safety and stability across the Caribbean region,” Neidhart de Ortiz added.
The leader of the Movement for Social Justice political party, David Abdulah, spoke out against the warship’s presence at a recent protest outside the U.S. Embassy there.
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“This is a warship in Trinidad, which will be anchored here for several days just miles off Venezuela when there’s a threat of war,” Abdulah said. “That’s an abomination.”
Marines will stay docked until Oct. 30.
