Venezuela slams Trinidad and Tobago, declares PM persona non grata
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Venezuela denounces Trinidad and Tobago's government as “despicable” and suspends energy cooperation amid rising tensions over military drills with the US.
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The country's coat of arms is displayed on the facade of a government building in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on August 20, 2024. (AP)
Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez issued a scathing condemnation of the government of Trinidad and Tobago, labeling it “despicable” and accusing it of allowing foreign powers to use its territory as a staging ground for aggression against Venezuela.
Rodriguez condemns government of Trinidad and Tobago
Speaking during a session of the National Assembly, Rodriguez stated, "Venezuela loves the people of Trinidad and Tobago and has proven this time and again, but the government of Trinidad and Tobago is a despicable government."
He further accused Trinidad and Tobago’s prime minister of transforming the country into an “aircraft carrier against Venezuela.” In response, the Venezuelan parliament moved to declare the prime minister persona non grata, describing the decision as a matter of national dignity and defense of sovereignty.
Rodriguez warned that Venezuela would adopt “all legislative, political, social, and economic measures” necessary to uphold its sovereignty.
Venezuela suspends energy deal over escalating tensions
The remarks follow President Nicolas Maduro’s announcement of the suspension of the energy cooperation agreement with Trinidad and Tobago. Rodriguez suggested that the continuation of such agreements was untenable if the neighboring country acts as “an agent of aggression.”
"Time will tell whether Trinidad and Tobago needs Venezuelan gas or not when the time comes," he added.
Military exercises with US spark regional backlash
Tensions further escalated after the Trinidad and Tobago military conducted joint exercises with the US Southern Command, an act Caracas condemned as provocative and dangerous.
The Venezuelan government issued a statement describing the drills as a threat to peace and stability in the Caribbean, calling them part of a broader strategy of US-backed aggression in the region.
