Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has warned that deadly force will be used against unidentified vessels entering the country’s waters from Venezuela, prompting criticism from former Prime Minister Stuart Young. Young warned that the move could jeopardize key energy ties with the neighboring country, including the Manatee gas project.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Persad-Bissessar cited national security concerns following reports from Venezuela that a Trinidadian citizen had been arrested among armed Colombians earlier this week. Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello also alleged that weapons are being smuggled into the country from Trinidad and Tobago and that foreign actors are training to destabilize Venezuela.
“T&T territory is off limits to them,” the Prime Minister said. “We have to take all threats against any incursion into our territory seriously… I will seek advice on protections for our Coast Guard to use deadly force on any unidentified vessel entering T&T waters from Venezuela, smuggling military able-bodied men and women.”
The Prime Minister also signaled that her government would review its approach to Venezuelan migrants in Trinidad and Tobago, particularly those of military age, calling the situation a serious threat in light of past Venezuelan actions in the region.
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In response, on Thursday morning, Young condemned the Prime Minister’s position, describing it as “borderline insanity” and urging a more measured approach.
“It is the height of irresponsibility… to declare a use of deadly force policy on any unidentified vessel entering Trinidad and Tobago’s waters from Venezuela,” Young said in a statement Friday. “Carrying on with false bravado associated with soapbox politics is not only unbecoming but frankly dangerous in the circumstances.”
Young also expressed concern that escalating tensions with Venezuela could threaten Trinidad and Tobago’s energy security. He pointed to the Manatee gas field, which is part of the cross-border Loran-Manatee reservoir shared with Venezuela.
With Shell as operator, Trinidad has been cleared to independently develop the Manatee portion of the field, a move that could bring substantial benefits for a country whose economic prosperity is threatened by declining gas production from maturing fields.
“Our future financial stability and energy security is directly tied to Venezuela,” Young said. “What happens if Venezuela decides now to cancel this arrangement? It would lead to financial disaster for Trinidad and Tobago.”
Persad-Bissessar stressed that her stance is a necessary response to what may be a veiled threat from Venezuela. “They made similar propaganda comments about Guyana and Colombia whenever they had interior political problems or elections, and then they engaged in border skirmishes with violence. We will take these threats very seriously,” she said.
