Trinidad and Tobago seeks to restore diplomatic ties with Venezuela

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has expressed a strong intention to restore diplomatic and bilateral relations with Venezuela. A meeting is scheduled for next week in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Persad-Bissessar has indicated her readiness to meet with Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez. Foreign ministers from both nations have reportedly begun establishing a framework for comprehensive cooperation in strategic sectors, including trade, energy, agriculture, environmental protection, culture, and security.

The energy sector is expected to be a primary focus of the renewed dialogue, particularly regarding shared interests in regional natural gas resources. Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy Minister, Roodal Moonilal, emphasized that the government is focused on protecting its energy interests and advancing technical discussions regarding Venezuelan deposits.

This diplomatic push aims to move past a period of high tension. Previously, Venezuela’s National Assembly declared Persad-Bissessar “persona non grata” in October 2025, following accusations that her administration took a “belligerent” stance by permitting United States military exercises on Trinidadian territory.