Yesterday’s visit to Caracas by a delegation led by Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs, Sean Sobers, signals the possibility of a much-anticipated improvement in relations between this country and its closest neighbour.
Ties between Port-of-Spain and Caracas deteriorated sharply following remarks made by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on September 2, 2025, after a US kinetic strike against a maritime vessel in the southern Caribbean. Those comments sparked diplomatic tensions that continued to worsen over the following weeks and months.
The relationship reached its lowest point on October 28, 2025, when Venezuela’s National Assembly unanimously declared the Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister persona non grata, effectively barring her from entering the country.
If Mr Sobers’ mission is intended to pave the way for a future meeting between Mrs Persad-Bissessar and Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez, then a logical first step would be for Venezuela’s legislature to rescind that designation. Such a move would send a powerful signal that both nations are prepared to restore normal diplomatic relations and pursue a more constructive partnership.
The timing is appropriate. T&T and Venezuela now find themselves in a significantly different geopolitical environment than they did a year ago. Diplomatic normalisation would allow both countries to focus on areas of mutual interest, particularly energy cooperation.
The most important of these issues is access to Venezuela’s vast natural gas reserves. For T&T, gas from near-border and cross-border fields could help supply liquefied natural gas facilities in Point Fortin and petrochemical plants at Point Lisas and La Brea. For Venezuela, such arrangements would provide a reliable and predictable source of revenue while allowing the country to monetise resources that might otherwise remain undeveloped.
Agreements involving the National Gas Company could therefore prove beneficial to both sides, strengthening economic ties while supporting energy production and downstream industries.
Another issue worthy of discussion at any future leaders’ summit is the possibility of Venezuelan crude being refined at the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery. Expanded cooperation in both oil and gas could create significant opportunities for investment, employment and economic growth.
Policymakers in Port-of-Spain should also closely monitor developments in Venezuela’s energy sector. Recent announcements regarding new international involvement in Venezuelan oil production underscore the country’s continuing importance as one of the region’s major energy players.
Against this backdrop, T&T should explore positioning itself as a regional hub for the processing of Venezuelan natural gas and crude oil. A comprehensive bilateral trade and investment agreement could establish clear rules governing trade, investment, capital and labour flows between the two countries while providing greater certainty for investors.
Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has already demonstrated the value of engagement with Caracas through a series of high-level diplomatic exchanges. Trinidad and Tobago, given its proximity to Venezuela and shared energy interests, has even greater incentives to strengthen this relationship.
If managed carefully, yesterday’s visit by Mr Sobers could mark the beginning of a new chapter in bilateral relations, one capable of delivering substantial economic and strategic benefits to both countries.
