Venezuela Cuts Gas Deals with Trinidad and Tobago Amidst Rising Tensions

The Venezuelan government, led by Nicolás Maduro, has declared a significant diplomatic rift with Trinidad and Tobago following the seizure of a tanker carrying 19 million barrels of oil. This incident, which occurred last week off the coast of Venezuela, was executed under the directives of the United States, prompting Caracas to label the operation an act of piracy. In response, the Venezuelan administration has immediately terminated all negotiations and contracts related to the supply of natural gas from Trinidad and Tobago, invoking the Framework Agreement on Energy Cooperation established a decade ago. In a stern statement from the Venezuelan Vice Presidency, the government asserted that Trinidad and Tobago's involvement in the seizure reflects its transformation into a 'US aircraft carrier,' highlighting its alignment with American interests at the expense of Venezuelan sovereignty. The statement explicitly criticized Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for her supposed complicity in what Caracas describes as a theft of its oil resources. As tensions escalate, Maduro accused her of pursuing a hostile agenda against Venezuela since ascending to power in May 2025. The backdrop of this diplomatic fallout includes a longstanding energy agreement signed in 2015, which was automatically renewed in 2023. This arrangement involved cooperative development of gas fields, including Campo Dragón, located within Venezuelan waters. However, with the recent tensions, the energy deal has effectively been rendered null and void. In October, Maduro had already signaled his discontent with the energy partnership, while Foreign Minister Yván Gil voiced concerns about potential false flag operations aimed at US military installations in Trinidad and Tobago. This rhetoric suggests that the Venezuelan leadership is wary of external interventions that could justify military actions against its territory. Reports indicate that the United States granted Trinidad and Tobago a six-month license earlier this year, allowing negotiations for a gas agreement with Venezuela without incurring sanctions. Yet, with the current state of relations deteriorating, this cooperation appears strained. The US government's increased scrutiny on vessels associated with Venezuelan crude, as evidenced by the recent seizure of the tanker named Skipper—previously linked to Iranian oil smuggling—has contributed to heightened tensions in maritime activities involving Venezuela. Additionally, Trinidad and Tobago has confirmed its willingness to permit US military aircraft to transit through its airports in the weeks ahead, deepening their security collaboration. These approvals, characterized by Trinidadian authorities as logistical, support routine personnel rotations linked to an extended American military deployment in the Caribbean initiated by the Trump administration. The historical context reveals a close defense relationship between the two nations, encompassing joint military exercises and enhanced surveillance capabilities aimed at combating narcotics trafficking. However, the current diplomatic and military maneuvers underscore a deepening divide between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela, posing significant implications for regional stability in the Caribbean. As both nations navigate this fraught landscape, the global community watches closely, aware that oil, energy agreements, and military presence will remain critical points of contention in the weeks and months to come. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2