General – Politics
Venezuela has announced the immediate termination of all contracts, agreements, and ongoing negotiations related to the supply of natural gas to Trinidad and Tobago, citing what it described as hostile actions linked to the United States.
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez announced on Monday, accusing the Trinidad and Tobago government of involvement in activities that undermine Venezuelan sovereignty. In a communiqué issued on December 15, Caracas alleged that Trinidad and Tobago participated in the theft of Venezuelan oil following a December 10 incident in which a vessel transporting Venezuelan crude was intercepted by U.S. authorities.
The Venezuelan government characterized the incident as an act of piracy and a violation of international law, as well as a breach of principles that uphold free navigation and international trade.
The statement further accused Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of pursuing a hostile policy toward Venezuela since assuming office. According to Caracas, this has included authorizing the installation of U.S. military radar systems on Trinidadian territory to monitor ships carrying Venezuelan oil, effectively turning the country into a staging ground for U.S. operations against Venezuela.
The decision marks a sharp reversal in bilateral energy relations. In recent years, Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago have engaged in discussions on gas cooperation, as the Caribbean nation seeks new sources of natural gas to sustain its Atlantic LNG facility and support its petrochemical industry.
