Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is no longer persona non grata in Venezuela, with Caracas now declaring her “persona grata” following a meeting with acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez in New York yesterday.
The meeting, held at Venezuela’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, signalled a major thaw in relations between the two countries.
In a joint statement issued after the talks, the leaders described their discussions as “the beginning of a new era in bilateral relations.”
They reaffirmed the historic ties between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago and agreed to deepen cooperation in areas including trade, energy, security, disaster risk management, environmental protection, agriculture, tourism, air connectivity and culture.
Rodríguez also thanked the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago for their solidarity following the earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24.
To maintain direct engagement at the highest level, both leaders further agreed to make official visits to Caracas and Port-of-Spain.
The statement also noted that the Venezuelan side “indicated that the Prime Minister was indeed persona grata in Venezuela.”
The announcement was read in Parliament during debate yesterday, drawing applause from Government MPs.
Analysts welcome breakthrough
Commenting on the latest development, political analyst Dr Winford James described the communique as a positive document of goodwill and said both countries appeared eager to reset relations.
“It sounds very positive, that’s what I can say. But we’ll have to see how it works out in real life,” James said.
While acknowledging the significance of the status change, James said the real test would be whether both governments could sustain the improved relationship.
He said it also remains to be seen how the engagement will be managed, including whether it develops beyond the two leaders and extends to ministerial-level cooperation.
Political analyst Shane Mohammed said the meeting signalled continued momentum toward repairing diplomatic ties. He said it demonstrated Persad-Bissessar’s commitment to pursuing what is in the best interests of both countries.
Mohammed added that the declaration that Persad-Bissessar is now “persona grata” underscored the significance of the meeting and raised expectations for tangible achievements in the future.
Professor Anthony Bryan also welcomed the development.
“At least she is no longer persona non grata. So the road is clear for fruitful discussions,” he said.
Dookeran: Energy talks hold key benefits
Former Foreign Affairs minister Winston Dookeran, who served during Persad-Bissessar’s first term in office, described the meeting as an important step toward normalising relations.
“I think it is a step in the normalisation of relations,” Dookeran said.
“In that sense, it opens the door for very serious and direct discussions on our economic relationship, particularly in the energy sector and other areas, so it’s a good move.”
Dookeran said the long-term value of improved ties would largely depend on negotiations concerning energy development in Venezuela and what benefits Trinidad and Tobago could ultimately derive.
However, he cautioned that any gains would not be immediate and noted that Venezuela’s energy prospects continue to be influenced by wider international dynamics, including the positions of major global powers.
Browne welcomes thaw but issues caution
Former Foreign and Caricom Affairs minister Dr Amery Browne welcomed the lifting of the persona non grata designation, describing it as a return to the good-neighbourly relations that previously existed between the two countries.
“We in the PNM always wish the best for Trinidad and Tobago,” Browne said.
He noted that the Opposition had called a week earlier for the designation against Persad-Bissessar to be removed and said any positive progress in relations with Venezuela should be welcomed.
However, Browne criticised the Government’s earlier approach to Venezuela, arguing that the deterioration in relations could not simply be forgotten.
“We hope and pray that there will be no return to the megaphone social media hostility and aggression that supporters of the UNC were praising and defending for well over a year,” he said.
Persad-Bissessar’s meeting with Rodríguez comes nearly a year after Venezuela’s National Assembly declared her persona non grata in October 2025 amid a sharp deterioration in bilateral relations.
Earlier this month, Persad-Bissessar said she was looking forward to meeting Rodríguez in New York and stressed that she harboured no ill will toward the Venezuelan leader.
Kamla-Venezuela relationship timeline
June 2025: Persad-Bissessar warned that “T&T territory is off limits” and supported the use of force against unauthorised vessels.
September 2025: She backed US military action against alleged drug traffickers operating in the Caribbean, saying the US should “kill them all violently.”
October 2025: Venezuela suspended energy cooperation with Trinidad and Tobago and declared Persad-Bissessar persona non grata.
September 2026: Persad-Bissessar announced plans to meet Rodríguez in New York.
September 23, 2026: The two leaders met and agreed to a “new era” in bilateral relations. Venezuela also confirmed that Persad-Bissessar is now persona grata.
