Venezuela has decided to immediately terminate all contracts, agreements and negotiations for the supply of natural gas to Trinidad and Tobago. This is according to Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who on Monday cited “hostile acts” involving the United States.
In a communique published on December 15, Venezuela accused the government of Trinidad and Tobago of participating in the “theft” of Venezuelan oil following what it described as a December 10 assault by the United States on a vessel transporting Venezuelan crude. The statement characterized the incident as an act of piracy and a violation of international law and the principles of free navigation and trade.
The Venezuelan government further alleged that Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has pursued a hostile agenda toward Caracas since taking office, including allowing the installation of U.S. military radar systems to monitor vessels carrying Venezuelan oil. It said Trinidad’s territory had been turned into a platform for U.S. actions against Venezuela.
“Given the escalation of hostilities and serious acts of aggression,” the communique said, President Nicolas Maduro had moved to denounce the bilateral Framework Agreement on Energy Cooperation with Trinidad and Tobago.
As a result, the government said it would halt any current or future contractual arrangements or negotiations related to natural gas supply to the Caribbean nation.
Venezuela has in recent years discussed gas cooperation with Trinidad as the island state seeks to secure new sources of natural gas to support its Atlantic LNG facility and petrochemical sector.
The communique ended with a pledge that Venezuela would defend its sovereignty and would not allow what it called colonial powers or their allies to threaten its development.
