Tensions have grown between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago over support for US military action in the Caribbean.

A U.S. warship arrived in Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, prompting a Venezuelan official to accuse the neighboring Caribbean government of "a military provocation" with the CIA. The big picture: President Trump said earlier this month that he authorized the CIA to secretly conduct operations in Venezuela,

Venezuela on Sunday condemned what it said was a military provocation by neighboring Trinidad and Tobago in coordination with the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, aimed at spurring a full military confrontation with the Latin American nation.

Tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela are at an all-time high over deadly U.S. strikes in Caribbean waters targeting suspected drug traffickers.

The Venezuelan National Assembly (AN) unanimously approved a declaration on Tuesday to deem Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar “persona non grata,” citing her alleged role in a “criminal conspiracy” with the United States military to attack Venezuela.

Venezuela has demanded detailed information from Trinidad and Tobago over Exxon Mobil’s planned deepwater exploration near their maritime border, escalating regional energy tensions.

Venezuela's authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro has ordered the immediate suspension of a major natural-gas agreement with Trinidad and Tobago, accusing the Caribbean nation of aligning itself with the United States after it received a U.