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GOVERNMENT says the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) will not be activated after a US military strike on a suspected Venezuelan drug vessel on September 2, and as American military assets gather in the Caribbean for what some believe is a prelude to US military action against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's administration and not drug interdiction as claimed by the Trump administration.

Government did not comment on the legality of the strike on the vessel which was allegedly, operated by alleged members of the Venezuelan-based transnational criminal organisation Tren de Aragua (TDA) or on reports that it was en route to TT.

Defence Minister Wayne Sturge and Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander made statements on those matters at a post-cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann's on September 4.