Venezuela condemned the arrival of the US warship USS Gravely in Trinidad and Tobago as a dangerous provocation amid fears of attacks on its mainland.

The ship’s four-day visit includes joint training with local defense forces and is part of a broader US anti-drug campaign in Latin America.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro accused Washington and Trinidad and Tobago of plotting a false flag attack and destabilization, claiming a group of CIA-linked mercenaries was arrested, Reuters has reported.

Trinidad and Tobago defended the visit, saying it aims to strengthen security cooperation and fight transnational crime.