In a significant development, the United States has authorized Trinidad and Tobago to proceed with the exploration of the Dragon gas field, located in Venezuelan waters near the maritime border of the Caribbean nation. The announcement was made by Trinidadian authorities on Thursday, marking a pivotal moment in regional energy cooperation. The Dragon field, which holds an estimated 120 billion cubic meters of natural gas, is a critical resource for Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean’s second-largest natural gas producer. The US Treasury Department’s approval comes six months after Washington revoked the initial permit, allowing Trinidad and Tobago to negotiate with Venezuela without breaching US sanctions imposed on Caracas in 2019. This decision follows a series of fluctuating US policies regarding Venezuelan energy operations, including the suspension of licenses for oil companies in March and the subsequent authorization of limited operations by Chevron. The Dragon field’s proximity to Trinidadian fields operated by Shell underscores its strategic importance. Despite heightened regional tensions, including a major US naval deployment near Venezuela, the permit signals a potential easing of restrictions, offering Trinidad and Tobago a lifeline to bolster its declining gas production.