Venezuela Scrambles F-16s Amid US Bomber Flights and Warship Presence

Escalation in the Caribbean

• 🇺🇸 A pair of US B-1B bombers flew over the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Venezuela, marking the third such show of force in recent weeks.
• 🚢 This military activity coincides with the presence of a US warship, the USS Arleigh Burke, in the region.

Venezuelan Response and Accusations

• 🇻🇪 Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has ordered the immediate suspension of all effects of an energy agreement, citing the threat of Trinidad and Tobago becoming a US "aircraft carrier" against Venezuela and South America.
• 🗣️ Maduro accused the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago of being an "enabler and promoter of war" due to personal weaknesses.

US Military Operations and Allegations

• ✈️ The B-1B bomber flights, originating from North Dakota, followed previous flights by B-1B and B-52 bombers near Venezuela.
• 🎯 These flights are part of a US military campaign against alleged drug traffickers, which Caracas fears is a pretext for regime change.
• 🚫 Maduro asserts that the US is behind an operation for regime change, using unsubstantiated claims like "Tren de Aragua" or "Cartel of the Soles" as justification.

US-Trinidad and Tobago Partnership

• 🤝 The US views its partnership with Trinidad and Tobago as strong, with the presence of US forces welcomed as a demonstration of this alliance.