Trinidad and Tobago and the United States have committed to working together to ensure the Caribbean country’s energy future, a recent statement from the U.S. State Department said.
Trinidad media reported over the weekend that Prime Minister Stuart Young has spoken with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the country’s energy future following the termination of the Dragon gas deal earlier this month.
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In a statement on April 18, the U.S. State Department said both sides have “agreed to continue working towards the successful pursuit of Trinidad and Tobago’s energy initiatives”. Rubio reiterated the strength of US-Trinidad and Tobago ties, stating the countries share priorities in “regional energy security and economic cooperation”.
He said, “Any outcomes of sanctions upon the Maduro regime and Venezuela is in no way indicative of our relationship with Trinidad and Tobago and the value we place on it.”
The Secretary added, “We are going to work very closely to find a solution that achieves U.S. objectives regarding Venezuela without harming Trinidad and Tobago.”
He also welcomed Young’s “exploration of viable options that support the country’s energy needs while remaining consistent with U.S. sanctions policy”.
Young reportedly reaffirmed his government’s commitment to “responsible energy sector development and regional security cooperation.” Rubio restated the United States’ support for “democratic governance and long-term stability across the Caribbean”.
On April 8, the U.S. government revoked the licenses granted to Trinidad and Tobago for the Dragon and Manakin-Cocuina cross-border gas fields. The licenses were previously issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
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The Dragon gas deal license was granted on October 17, 2023, and was due to expire on October 31, 2024. The Manakin-Cocuina license was granted on December 18, 2023. The Manakin-Cocuina field is the second largest on the Trinidad and Tobago-Venezuela border. It holds at least one trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio informed Caribbean leaders that the United States will not support any further regional reliance on Venezuela for energy.
