Key takeaways

• Venezuela says it captured CIA-linked mercenaries plotting a false flag operation.
• Caracas claims the plot launched from waters near Trinidad and Tobago.
• Trinidad denies the allegations and asks Venezuela for proof.
• The dispute follows recent US–Trinidad military exercises at sea.
• Venezuela vows to defend its sovereignty against any foreign threat.

Venezuela’s government says its security forces arrested a group of mercenaries tied to the US Central Intelligence Agency. The officials claim the group planned a false flag operation against Venezuela from waters near Trinidad and Tobago. According to the statement, these mercenaries aimed to stage an attack and blame it on Caracas. This, the government warns, would justify new US aggression in the region.

What Venezuela Says Happened

Venezuelan authorities announced they caught the suspected mercenaries less than two weeks after the US president confirmed covert CIA action. They claim to have intercepted messages about a “false flag operation” set to begin near Trinidad’s shores. The government compared this to historic provocations like the Battleship Maine incident in 1898 and the Gulf of Tonkin attack in 1964. In both cases, false attacks sparked major US wars abroad.

Caracas accused the Trinidad and Tobago government of surrendering its sovereignty to US interests. It said Trinidad’s military drills with the United States turn the island nation into a “US aircraft carrier” in the Caribbean. According to the Venezuelan statement, these drills violate the UN Charter and regional peace agreements. Therefore, Caracas argues, the exercises amount to colonial aggression, not defense.

Trinidad’s Response and US Drills

Trinidad and Tobago quickly challenged Venezuela’s claims. Its government said the joint drills with the US aim to fight crime and foster humanitarian aid—not to plan an attack. Port of Spain demanded Caracas produce evidence of the alleged false flag operation. Meanwhile, the US maintains a fleet, including the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group, off Venezuela’s coast. The US defends naval and air patrols as efforts to curb drug trafficking. However, Venezuela reports at least 43 civilians died in recent US boat strikes, which Washington blames on suspected drug smugglers.

Breaking Down the False Flag Operation Claim

First, a false flag operation involves staging an attack to blame it on another party. Venezuela’s leaders claim they captured the plotters before any violence began. They assert that intelligence pointed to operations from Trinidadian waters. Moreover, they say the plan intended to create chaos and justify US military action. Analysts note that Venezuela has long accused the US of plotting regime change. However, critics ask why no clear proof has emerged yet. Therefore, the debate now hinges on evidence—both countries must present facts or risk fueling tensions further.

History of US Involvement in Venezuela

The US has a long history of meddling in Venezuelan affairs. In 1895, a border dispute led Washington to intervene against Britain. Over the decades, the US backed dictators and trained security forces in harsh tactics. In the early 2000s, the US opposed Hugo Chávez’s Bolivarian Revolution. The first Trump administration even foiled a small mercenary raid on Venezuela. More recently, US economic sanctions caused severe shortages and hardship in the country. Many experts link tens of thousands of deaths to those sanctions. Thus, Venezuela sees current US naval deployments and drills as the latest move in a century-long campaign.

Venezuela’s Defiance and Next Steps

Despite mounting pressure, Venezuelan leaders remain resolute. The foreign minister called the alleged plot an “unconventional act of war.” He promised to face any aggression and defeat it. President Maduro’s government vows to protect its oil reserves and its people. At the same time, Caracas is calling on regional bodies to condemn what it labels “US imperialism.” As tensions rise, the world watches whether proof will surface or if rhetoric will overshadow facts. For now, Venezuela stands ready to defend its shores and challenge any false flag operation against it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is a false flag operation?

A false flag operation is when one group stages an attack but blames another party. This tactic can justify political or military action against the blamed group.

Why did Venezuela mention the Battleship Maine?

Venezuela used the 1898 Battleship Maine incident as an example. In that case, a ship explosion led the US to war with Spain under false pretenses.

How has Trinidad and Tobago responded to the accusations?

Trinidad and Tobago denied any role in a false flag plot. Its leaders demanded that Venezuela share evidence and said joint drills target crime, not Venezuela.

What comes next in this dispute?

Both sides may present more intelligence or diplomatic statements. The dispute could ease if proof appears or escalate if tensions continue.