CARACAS, Venezuela (CMC) – Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is warning that Trinidad and Tobago’s joint military drills with the United States could “threaten peace” in the Caribbean.

He made the statement in the aftermath of Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Sean Sobers saying that the US Marine Corps’ 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) will conduct training exercises with the T&T Defence Force from November 16–21.

“They say they’re going to do it from Monday to Thursday… Well, the people of Trinidad and Tobago will see if they continue to tolerate the use of their waters and land to seriously threaten the peace of the Caribbean,” Maduro declared.

Speaking on Saturday, Maduro accused the twin island republic of once again authorising “irresponsible military exercises” in waters off the Venezuelan state of Sucre, claiming the drills project a threatening posture toward Venezuela.

He urged citizens in the eastern states of Bolívar, Monagas, Sucre, Anzoátegui and Nueva Esparta to mobilise in a “popular, military and police effort” to maintain a permanent vigil and take to the streets with the national flag “in the face of new threats.”

He also called for a national mobilisation to send a clear message: “Out with imperialist ships, out with military threats! Venezuela demands respect… This people has considerable power in the streets, in every city.”

Maduro further repeated his longstanding allegation that the US aims to seize Venezuela’s natural resources. “They want to steal our oil. Are we going to let them? They want to steal our gas. Are we going to let them?”

The military drills come at a time of severe diplomatic strain between Port of Spain and Caracas.

Relations have deteriorated sharply in recent weeks, with Venezuela declaring Trinidad and Tobago’s prime minister persona non grata and suspending all ongoing energy negotiations.