The U.S. Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago issued a warning on Saturday advising Americans to avoid all U.S. government facilities in the twin-island nation.
The unusual alert comes amid rising tensions between the United States and Venezuela following deadly U.S. strikes in Caribbean waters targeting suspected drug traffickers.
The embassy did not specify the reason for the warning, stating only that “due to a heightened state of alert, please avoid and refrain from visiting all U.S. government facilities through the holiday weekend,” and urging citizens to “remain aware of your surroundings.” Monday marks Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, which is widely celebrated in Trinidad and Tobago, where about 35% of the 1.4 million population is of East Indian descent.
Venezuela lies just a few miles from Trinidad, where residents of one coastal community are mourning the disappearance of two local fishermen believed to have been killed in a U.S. strike on Tuesday.
The embassy’s warning is reportedly based on threats directed at American citizens in the country, which U.S. officials say “may be linked” to ongoing regional tensions, according to Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Homeland Security, Roger Alexander, in a statement to the Associated Press. However, local authorities have declined to provide further details about the reported threats.
Alexander added that Trinidad and Tobago has strengthened security measures to address any potential incidents arising from the situation.
Since early September, six U.S. strikes have reportedly killed at least 29 people in the region. The escalating tensions were discussed during a briefing between U.S. and Trinidadian officials, Alexander said.
Following the most recent attack, the U.S. military took survivors into custody after striking a vessel suspected of transporting drugs in the Caribbean, officials confirmed Friday.
The Trump administration has maintained that suspected drug traffickers are considered unlawful combatants who can be met with military force.
