The Venezuelan government announced on Monday that it has terminated “immediately” all agreements, contracts or negotiations to supply natural gas to Trinidad and Tobago, citing heightened tensions linked to the United States’ naval‑air deployment in the Caribbean.
In a statement issued by Vice President and Oil Minister Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela accused the Trinidadian government of participating in the “theft of Venezuelan oil” after a vessel sailing under a false flag was seized on 10 December while carrying Venezuelan crude.
Accusations of piracy and “vasallaje”
Venezuela described the seizure as an act of piracy and a “serious violation of international law.” The administration also charged Prime Minister Kamla Persad‑Bissessar with exposing a “hostile agenda” and turning her country into a “U.S. aircraft carrier to attack Venezuela,” labeling the behavior as “vassalage.”
U.S. interception of the tanker Skipper
The communiqué recalled that President Nicolás Maduro denounced the Energy Cooperation Framework between Venezuela and the United States on 27 October amid an “escalation of hostilities.”
According to Venezuelan officials, the United States, together with the Coast Guard, intercepted the tanker Skipper—flying a false flag—near Venezuelan waters. A U.S. court order authorized the seizure of the vessel, which reportedly held 1.9 million barrels of PDVSA crude, an act Venezuela termed a “brazen robbery.”
Regional dynamics and diplomatic fallout
Prime Minister Persad‑Bissessar, who assumed office in May, had previously announced a decision not to deepen energy ties with Venezuela. In October, the Venezuelan National Assembly declared her “persona no grata” for allowing U.S. military exercises on the island.
In September, the United States and Trinidad and Tobago reaffirmed measures to prevent Caribbean natural gas from benefiting the Venezuelan government. The U.S. naval‑air presence, which began in August, is officially framed as an effort to combat transnational crime, a claim the Trinidadian Foreign Ministry accepts while denying any hostile intent toward Venezuela.
What may happen next?
Analysts suggest that Venezuela could pursue international arbitration to contest the seizure of the Skipper and to press claims of piracy. At the same time, the United States may strengthen its naval presence or expand cooperative measures with Caribbean states to curb what it describes as illicit oil flows.
A possible next step for Trinidad and Tobago could be the formal pursuit of legal action against vessels it believes are part of a “hostile agenda,” while Venezuela might look to diversify its energy export routes to reduce reliance on Caribbean markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Venezuela end gas negotiations with Trinidad and Tobago?
Venezuela cited growing tensions linked to the U.S. naval‑air deployment in the Caribbean and alleged involvement of Trinidad and Tobago in the theft of Venezuelan oil as reasons for ending the negotiations.
What was the Skipper carrying, and why was it seized?
The tanker Skipper was reported by Venezuelan officials to be carrying 1.9 million barrels of PDVSA crude. It was seized by U.S. authorities under a judicial order after being found sailing under a false flag near Venezuela’s coast.
How has Trinidad and Tobago responded to the accusations?
The Trinidadian Foreign Ministry stated that the U.S. presence aims to combat transnational crime and denied any hostile intentions toward Venezuela.
How do you think these escalating energy disputes will shape regional politics in the coming months?
