Tensions are rising across the Caribbean as U.S. President Donald Trump, after expanding military power in waters near Venezuela, is pressuring for an airspace closure. Some neighboring countries are throwing their support behind the United States, including by allowing limited U.S. military activity in their territories.
According to the Washington Post (WP), as the United States signaled the possibility of military action against Venezuela, some countries formed what is being called a "Caribbean alliance" and moved to back the United States. The Miami Herald, a U.S. daily, reported on the 30th (local time) that President Trump delivered an ultimatum to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to "resign immediately and go into exile."
The Dominican Republic, the second largest country in the Caribbean after Cuba, is emerging as the United States' strongest ally. President Luis Abinader authorized the U.S. military to use restricted areas of San Isidro Air Base and Las Américas International Airport, and announced plans to temporarily deploy troops and aircraft. This followed U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's visit to the capital, Santo Domingo, to seek cooperation.
President Abinader said, "Drug crime is a real threat that respects neither borders nor flags," emphasizing that "the United States is the most important strategic partner and ally." Minister Hegseth also stressed that "this deployment is small and temporary and will fully respect the Dominican Republic's sovereignty," adding that "it will be an excellent model of regional cooperation."
The Dominican Republic, governed by a right-leaning administration, has consistently taken a cooperative stance toward the United States. A prime example came in early last month, when a joint operation with the U.S. military seized 500 kilograms of cocaine after capturing a suspicious vessel. In September, when major Latin American countries issued a statement condemning the U.S. troop deployment in the Caribbean region, it signaled "non-consent to sign."
Trinidad and Tobago, about 11 kilometers northeast of Venezuela, is coupling strong rhetoric with cooperation with the U.S. government. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the country's first female leader and seen as pro-U.S., expressed support for the United States after 11 Venezuelans were killed in a U.S. attack in September, saying, "All drug organizations must be eliminated," and recently said, "U.S. Marines are supporting runway and road-related work at Tobago Airport."
However, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar dismissed the possibility of direct military involvement, saying, "Trinidad and Tobago will not launch a military operation or become a U.S. war base."
In the nearby U.S. territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, U.S. military activity is resuming. Fighter jets and transport aircraft are landing at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in eastern Puerto Rico, which closed in 2004, and new aircraft are reportedly being spotted at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on Saint Croix in the Virgin Islands.
Grenada, by contrast, is taking a more cautious stance. In October, the United States asked the Grenadian government to allow the temporary deployment of radar facilities and technical personnel at Maurice Bishop International Airport, but the government avoided a direct answer, calling it a "technical review phase."
On this, Grenadian Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell noted that "October is the most emotionally sensitive period in the nation's history," a remark seen as alluding to the U.S. invasion of Grenada in October 1983, shortly after Prime Minister Maurice Bishop was assassinated.
Meanwhile, a cornered President Maduro is asking oil-producing countries for help, saying "what President Trump seeks is control of Venezuela's oil industry." As anti-U.S. countries such as China and Russia have not moved to actively support Venezuela, it is seen as an effort to forge a new alliance front. Maduro sought assistance from these countries, but each held off on military and economic support, citing reasons such as economic downturn and war.