US Guided-Missile Destroyer to Dock in Port of Spain

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has confirmed that a United States Navy warship will dock in the capital this weekend for a five-day visit that will include joint training operations with the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF).

The USS Gravely, a guided-missile destroyer with approximately 300 sailors on board and equipped for advanced maritime warfare, is scheduled to arrive in Port of Spain from October 26 to 30. Members of the 22nd US Marine Expeditionary Unit will conduct a series of exchanges with TTDF personnel, focusing on infantry tactics, maintenance protocols, and advanced medical capabilities.

According to the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs, the visit underscores Washington’s commitment to regional security and ongoing defence cooperation in the Caribbean.

Port operations at several berths will be suspended during the destroyer’s stay to accommodate the vessel. The Port Authority confirmed that shipping operators have been advised to adjust schedules and make alternative arrangements.

The deployment comes at a time of heightened US security activity in the Caribbean. Recently, US authorities issued a security alert to its citizens in Trinidad and Tobago, and regional leaders have held discussions on the broader military build-up in the area.

Despite ongoing geopolitical concerns, Trinidad and Tobago has reiterated support for US-led operations aimed at countering transnational crime, including narcotics and human trafficking.