ISTANBUL

Venezuela on Monday announced the suspension of its energy cooperation agreements with Trinidad and Tobago, accusing the Caribbean island nation of taking “hostile" actions following the arrival of a US warship in its territory.

During his weekly television show on Monday night, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said Trinidad had become the “aircraft carrier of the US empire” by hosting the USS Gravely for military drills. He added that his government had no choice but to withdraw from agreements signed with Port of Spain a decade ago.

Maduro’s announcement came after Vice President and Hydrocarbons Minister Delcy Rodriguez called for the termination of a 2015 deal allowing joint natural gas exploration between the two countries.

The US destroyer arrived Sunday in Trinidad and Tobago’s capital as the Trump administration intensified military pressure on Venezuela and Maduro’s government.

Officials from Trinidad and Tobago and the US said the vessel would remain in port until Thursday to allow both nations to conduct joint training exercises.

Caracas has repeatedly denounced the growing US military presence in the Caribbean, describing it as a threat to Venezuela’s sovereignty.