In a significant escalation of regional tensions, the Venezuelan government has announced the immediate termination of all energy contracts and negotiations with Trinidad and Tobago. The decisive action comes as a direct response to Caracas’ allegations that Port of Spain played a collaborative role in last week’s United States seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker.
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, through an official statement on her Instagram platform, characterized the tanker interception as an act of piracy and a severe violation of international maritime law. The statement explicitly accused Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of maintaining a hostile agenda against Venezuela since assuming office, including the alleged installation of US military radar systems to monitor Venezuelan vessels.
Rodríguez declared that President Nicolás Maduro’s administration views these developments as transforming Trinidad and Tobago into what she described as a US military outpost for attacks against Venezuela. Consequently, Venezuela has formally denounced the Energy Cooperation Framework Agreement previously established with its Caribbean neighbor.
The Venezuelan government maintains full knowledge of Trinidad and Tobago’s participation in what it terms the theft of Venezuelan oil resources. The statement emphasized that Venezuela will not tolerate colonial entities or their vassals threatening the nation’s sovereignty and developmental rights.
Meanwhile, the Guyanese maritime authorities have clarified that the seized vessel, identified as Motor Tanker SKIPPER, was improperly flying the Guyana flag without proper registration. This development occurs alongside increased US military presence in the Caribbean region, ostensibly targeting narcotics trafficking but viewed by regional analysts as part of broader geopolitical pressures on the Maduro government.
The Trump administration has previously designated Maduro as a narco-terrorist and key figure in the Cartel of the Suns, with OFAC sanctions already in effect. US military operations in Caribbean and Pacific waters have reportedly resulted in numerous fatalities among alleged drug traffickers.