Venezuela has accused neighboring Trinidad and Tobago, in coordination with the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), of orchestrating a “false flag” military operation aimed at provoking an armed conflict in the Caribbean region. The accusation follows ongoing U.S.-Trinidad and Tobago joint military exercises, which Caracas claims are part of a broader American strategy to destabilize the Venezuelan government.
In an official statement released by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela alleged that it had captured a group of mercenaries possessing “direct information” linked to the CIA. According to the Venezuelan government, these operatives were allegedly preparing to stage an attack in or near the maritime borders of Trinidad and Tobago that would be falsely attributed to Venezuela, thereby justifying foreign military retaliation. The statement, however, did not include verifiable evidence to support the claim.
The concept of a false flag operation refers to an act designed to appear as though it was carried out by another entity, typically to manipulate public perception or justify retaliatory measures. Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has made similar accusations in the past, including an alleged plot to plant explosives at the U.S. embassy in Caracas earlier this month.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump recently confirmed that he had authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations in Venezuela, intensifying regional tensions. The Pentagon also expanded its military presence in the Caribbean by deploying the Gerald Ford aircraft carrier group, purportedly as part of anti-drug operations.
The U.S. State Department has yet to comment on Venezuela’s latest allegations. As tensions escalate, analysts warn that these claims could further strain relations between the U.S., Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela, heightening the risk of miscalculation in an already volatile region.