Venezuela's second-in-command, Diosdado Cabello, threatened the neighboring country of Trinidad and Tobago over the potential use of its territory by the U.S. to launch attacks against his country.
Concretely, Cabello said during a rally that "Venezuela doesn't fight with anyone, but they leave us no choice."
"If Trinidad lends its territory for a strike against Venezuela, we have to answer and don't have a choice to avoid being attacked," he added.
He went on to say that the country is "already being used" by foes, something the population doesn't agree with because both nations have always "lived in peace."
The government of Trinidad and Tobago has vocally supported the U.S.'s campaign against the Maduro regime, with Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar saying that the "best defense" for the country is its military cooperation with Washington.
"I won't declare war on Venezuela but my duty is to protect the people of Trinidad and Tobago, and right now this is the best defense mechanism we can have."
The U.S. has installed a radar system in the island, and soldiers are deployed on the island. Moreover, military planes can access airports in the country.
In a statement, Trinidad and Tobago's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the access would be limited to "logistical" purposes, including supply replenishment and routine personnel rotations.
The twin-island nation lies about seven miles from Venezuela at its closest point and hosts Piarco International Airport in Trinidad and ANR Robinson International Airport in Tobago.
Following the announcement regarding the airport use, Venezuelan Vice President and Hydrocarbons Minister Delcy Rodríguez said Caracas was immediately suspending all contracts, agreements, and negotiations to supply natural gas to Trinidad and Tobago, accusing the Trinidadian government of aligning with Washington to "harass" Venezuela and describing the airport access as part of a hostile agenda.
Rodríguez also blamed Trinidad and Tobago for facilitating the recent U.S. seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker, calling it "an act of piracy."
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar lated rejected the accusations, calling them "simply false propaganda." She told the Associated Press that complaints should be directed at President Donald Trump, since the tanker seizure was carried out by the U.S. military. "In the meantime, we continue to have peaceful relations with the Venezuelan people," she said, adding that Trinidad and Tobago has "never depended" on Venezuelan gas and has sufficient domestic reserves.
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