Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Minister Yvan Gil Pinto has claimed that a fake attack on the US warship the USS Gravely currently docked in Trinidadian waters may be incoming as part of a “false flag” operation the Venezuelan government alleges is being carried out by the US.

His statement this morning comes less than one day after Venezuela accused Trinidad and Tobago and the US of facilitating an alleged attack on its territory, according to information it claims to have gathered from a mercenary group with information from the US’ Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

Pinto today doubled down on the claim, making reference to an attack of an “American Military ship” in Trinidad and Tobago, which he said would be used to blame Venezuela and justify aggression against Venezuela.