Venezuela reported it captured a mercenary group with direct information from the US intelligence agency, the CIA, and has determined that a false flag attack is being prepared from waters bordering Trinidad and Tobago or from Trinidadian or Venezuelan territory itself. It warned this could lead to a full-blown military confrontation against Venezuela.

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar expressed her support on Saturday for the deployment of military troops to her waters in an attempt to remove Maduro, CNN reported. She has made unprecedented threats to Venezuela in recent months and has shown a submissive role amid the controversial US operation in the region, the Venezuelan government said.

On October 18 the leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) expressed concern about the increase in US military troops, nuclear ships and aircraft in the region, which poses a threat to the security and well-being of its inhabitants and contravenes the CELAC-declared Zone of Peace. Trinidad and Tobago abstained from signing the statement.