Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has sought to downplay potential tensions with Venezuela regarding the Dragon gas project. This follows remarks by Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who warned that Trinidad and Tobago’s economy would falter without a gas deal with Venezuela. Rodriguez emphasized that any gas exports to Trinidad and Tobago must be paid for, dismissing claims that the U.S. would facilitate free access to Venezuelan gas. She accused Persad-Bissessar of being misled by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, likening her to a “puppet” and warning of dire economic consequences if Venezuela halts gas exports. Persad-Bissessar, however, refrained from engaging in a public dispute, stating she had no official communication from Venezuela and remained focused on advancing Trinidad and Tobago’s economy. She also dismissed fears of regional conflict, urging citizens to remain calm. Earlier this month, Trinidad and Tobago secured a six-month U.S. license to negotiate the Dragon gas project with Venezuela, a move criticized by former Energy Minister Stuart Young for its short-term nature and lack of transparency. The project, previously declared “dead” by the current government, remains a contentious issue in bilateral relations.