Trinidad residents quietly stockpile food as US-Venezuela tensions raise fears of Caribbean spillover

In the quiet suburbs of South Trinidad, fear has begun to creep into the aisles of supermarkets. A photo circulating online shows an elderly couple loading bags of rice, oil, and canned goods into their trolley—an image now emblematic of the growing unease gripping the island.

Locals say they have begun stockpiling food and essentials amid rising tensions between the United States and Venezuela, fearing that the standoff could soon spill across the Caribbean’s calm waters.

The anxiety deepened after a US warship docked in Port of Spain on October 27, 2025, a move that observers say rattled the region. In swift retaliation, Venezuela suspended a major bilateral gas accord with Trinidad and Tobago, accusing Washington of using Caribbean partnerships to project military power near its borders. The development marks a sharp downturn in what had been a cautious energy cooperation between the two neighbors, with Venezuela now warning of “unfriendly strategic encirclement” by the United States.

The standoff follows a series of US airstrikes on alleged drug trafficking networks near Venezuelan territory, which have claimed at least 43 lives since early October 2025. While Washington has defended the strikes as part of its anti-narcotics operations, Caracas has denounced them as “acts of aggression” and hinted at possible retaliatory measures. Regional analysts fear that with Trinidad and Tobago’s proximity and shared maritime borders with Venezuela, even a limited confrontation could disrupt trade routes, fuel prices, and local security.

Residents in areas like San Fernando, Penal, and Point Fortin say they are taking no chances. Supermarket managers report unusual spikes in sales of rice, flour, and bottled water, while some gas stations have quietly introduced rationing. “We’re not panicking, but everyone feels something could go wrong,” one resident told Busterblog.com, adding that “people remember what happened in 2020 when the shelves went empty overnight.”

Political observers believe the Caribbean is entering a fragile phase, with smaller nations caught between global power plays. Trinidad’s government has maintained a delicate diplomatic stance—welcoming cooperation with the US on security matters while emphasizing its commitment to peaceful dialogue with Venezuela. Yet on the streets, the mood is anything but calm.

As twilight settles over the southern coast, many households now store extra supplies “just in case.” What began as isolated precaution is turning into a quiet, collective preparation for uncertainty, as this tiny island watches two giants edge dangerously close to conflict—right on its doorstep.