Lead Editor-Politics
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says she has “no concerns” that Trinidad and Tobago is being deliberately sidelined by acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez, despite her recent meetings with regional leaders in Barbados and Grenada.
Persad-Bissessar sought to assure Guardian Media that talks between both countries continue, following her announcement this month that a diplomatic delegation would be sent to Venezuela to secure T&T’s “just share” of cross-border oil and gas resources.
On April 27, Rodríguez met with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, securing agreements on energy, food production, and air connectivity, along with an invitation to invest in Venezuela’s oil and gas sector.
Earlier, on April 9, she held talks with Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, where both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in energy, agriculture, and trade, and to pursue a roadmap on maritime boundaries and regional transport.
A Grenadian journalist asked Rodriguez why she chose to meet with Grenada before her closest geographical neighbour in Caricom, T&T. The Venezuelan acting President simply responded, “We have relations with Grenada.”
On April 24, Opposition MP Stuart Young sparked a fresh diplomatic firestorm following a social media post of a handshake with Rodríguez. Young’s use of the hashtag #personagrata was widely interpreted as a targeted critique of the current administration’s strained relations with Caracas.
The Government has since moved to condemn the meeting, with Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal accusing Young of engaging in “rogue diplomacy” that threatens sensitive energy negotiations with multinational partners.
Young has dismissed the allegations as a political distraction, maintaining that his professional engagements remain in the best interest of the national public.
With no announcement of any upcoming meetings with this country, Guardian Media asked Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar if she believes Rodriguez is intentionally leaving this country out of her Caricom tour.
“I have no concerns,” she responded.
Asked what the relationship is right now between herself and Rodriguez, the Prime Minister said, “Well, my Minister of Foreign Affairs is communicating with them.”
However, the Prime Minister returned to the initial question, addressing concerns that amid strained relations, the Venezuelan leader may be deliberately overlooking T&T.
“I have no problem. She has to do what she has to do and I have to do what I have to do.”
Asked if she views the Venezuelan leader’s visits to Grenada and Barbados as a slight to this country:
“Not at all, not at all, not at all. She was sanctioned and she couldn’t go anywhere. Sanctions are now lifted and she’s going everywhere. I have no problem, please, that is not an issue for me. Because we have shares.”
The PM has previously stated that T&T “partly owns” the Dragon Gas field’s resources through the National Gas Company (NGC). By securing a 30-year exploration and production licence in late 2023, the NGC became a legal equity partner in the Dragon field alongside Shell. In her view, this isn’t just a purchase agreement but a proprietary interest that T&T must now defend to ensure the country receives the economic returns promised by that partnership.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister underscored that a diplomatic team will be sent to Venezuela but gave no details on when it will depart or who will form part of the delegation, despite repeated questions for those details.
“My Minister of Foreign Affairs is working with their Foreign Affairs Minister,” Persad-Bissessar said.
Several efforts to contact Minister Sean Sobers, including calls and messages, were unsuccessful yesterday.
The relationship between Persad-Bissessar and Rodríguez has been defined by intense diplomatic hostility and public verbal sparring. Tensions culminated in Persad-Bissessar being declared persona non grata by Venezuela following her support for US regional military activity.
Browne: PM’s optimism unfounded
But Opposition Senator and former minister of foreign affairs Dr Amery Browne is questioning what he called the Prime Minister’s “unfounded” and “unreasonable” optimism.
“Because to do otherwise would be to admit the true cost of the disrespect and the undiplomatic belligerence that she and her ministers have displayed toward President Delcy Rodriguez and the Government of Venezuela,” Browne told Guardian Media.
The senator criticised her for leaning yet again on her Foreign Affairs Minister.
“Just as with the recent scandal caused by her absence from key Caricom fora, she pivots to the gargantuan ineptitude of Sean Sobers as a shield from reality.”
Browne contrasted the Prime Minister’s approach with that of Venezuelan leader Delcy Rodríguez, describing Rodríguez as “a highly experienced diplomat” who understands the complexities of the Dragon gas field.
“President Rodríguez also has measured her words quite wisely, and her actions, including Caricom countries visited and avoided, are not haphazard or ill-considered,” Browne said.
He argued that the People’s National Movement has always cautioned the Government about its foreign policy posture, warning that a lack of diplomacy could carry consequences.
“The truth is that the Opposition has been consistent in warning the Prime Minister that her disregard for diplomacy will bring a harsh price for Trinidad and Tobago,” he said, adding that the Prime Minister appeared to be “taking her mark from further afield.”
Browne was also critical of the Government’s announcement that it intends to send a delegation to Venezuela for talks, questioning whether proper diplomatic protocols had been followed.
“Even the manner in which she introduced to the public her scheme to dispatch a mission to Venezuela for ‘discussions’ was completely disrespectful and inconsistent with diplomatic norms,” he said.
He stressed that such engagements typically require a formal invitation by the host country and urged the media to press for clarity on whether that process had been observed.
“It would be instructive for the media to ask the Prime Minister if such an invitation has been received,” Browne added.
