US Warship in Trinidad: 'Normal Exercises' During Covert Ops
Axios dutifully reports Venezuela’s claim that a US warship in Trinidad and Tobago is a “military provocation,” while gently reminding us that such exercises are “long-standing ties.” What’s conveniently omitted is the context the article then buries: President Trump said earlier this month he authorized the CIA for covert operations in Venezuela, including potential strikes. So, while a US
warship appears next door, it’s just business as usual? How many 'routine' coincidences does it take to make a hostile encirclement? One might wonder if this 'routine cooperation' would still be 'routine' if, say, Venezuela parked a naval destroyer off the coast of Florida, immediately after publicly authorizing covert operations against American allies. The double standard for 'provocation'
appears to be perfectly aligned with Washington’s strategic interests.