A long-anticipated diplomatic meeting between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela is set to take place today, with Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers travelling to Caracas for talks with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia.
Senior United National Congress (UNC) Government officials confirmed the visit yesterday, describing it as “the opening of doors” and expressing optimism that it could lead to meaningful progress in relations between the two countries.
The one-day visit will see Sobers lead a delegation that includes the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary and other officials. However, he is not expected to meet acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez.
Sobers’ trip fulfils plans first announced by the Government in 2025 to send a diplomatic delegation to Venezuela. In May 2025, the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs disclosed that a diplomatic note had been sent to Caracas outlining matters T&T wished to discuss, and that Venezuela had responded positively.
Relations between the two countries later became strained amid the United States military presence in the Caribbean between 2025 and 2026 and Trinidad and Tobago’s support for Washington’s initiatives in the region.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar was subsequently declared persona non grata by Venezuela because of her support for US policies toward Venezuela. In January 2026, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured during a US military operation in Caracas, after which Rodríguez assumed the role of acting president.
Speaking at the handover of fire tenders in April, Persad-Bissessar reiterated the Government’s intention to engage directly with Venezuela. She said a T&T delegation would travel to Caracas “shortly” to ensure the country secured its “just share” of cross-border oil and gas resources, safeguarding its energy interests and economic security.
Her comments came against the backdrop of longstanding discussions over shared energy reserves, including the Dragon and Loran-Manatee gas fields, which are considered vital to Trinidad and Tobago’s energy sector and broader economy.
At the time, the Prime Minister said arrangements for the visit remained “a work in progress.”
Relations appeared to improve following the devastating double earthquake that struck northern Venezuela on June 24, prompting Trinidad and Tobago to send humanitarian assistance. Rodríguez later thanked T&T for its support in a cordial exchange of letters with Persad-Bissessar, who also highlighted the longstanding ties between the neighbouring countries.
Government officials said efforts to secure a meeting with Venezuelan authorities had continued throughout the year, with preparations for today’s talks intensifying over the past several weeks.
While questions had been raised about the possibility of a meeting with Acting President Rodríguez, officials confirmed Sobers will meet only with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Plasencia.
Officials said details of the meeting’s agenda, including whether energy and gas matters will feature prominently, are expected to be outlined today.
They also confirmed that Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal is not part of the delegation.
The visit comes as Venezuela has been engaging with a number of regional and international partners. Rodríguez has recently hosted delegations from the United States and Israel for discussions on security, economic cooperation and post-earthquake reconstruction. The US also recently announced a major oil agreement involving partial control of 65 billion barrels of Venezuelan oil reserves by the US Government and its partners.
Just over a week ago, Rodríguez hosted Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley for a state visit during which several bilateral agreements were signed.
On the eve of Sobers’ departure, Government officials expressed confidence about the significance of the visit.
“The Government has worked on the matter diligently, and we will see what arises from this,” one official said. “It is a very positive development which will surely augur well for Trinidad and Tobago. It will not be an opportunity wasted, and we look forward to what develops and, hopefully, to more such missions to Caracas to address specialised issues.”
