Maduro to be proposed to suspend energy cooperation agreements with Trinidad and Tobago

Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez announced this Monday that they will propose to President Nicolás Maduro the immediate termination of the Macro Energy Cooperation Agreement with Trinidad and Tobago, as well as the suspension of all gas agreements with that nation.

In statements to the media, after a meeting with the management of the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and PDVSA, he indicated that "the situation that has been generated with Trinidad and Tobago, primarily the actions of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

"This directive, both from the ministry and its operator, PDVSA, has decided to propose to President Nicolás Maduro the immediate termination of the Macro Energy Cooperation Agreement between the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, which was signed in 2015 for a 10-year term and automatically renewed in February of this year for an additional five years," he stated, citing Article 3, paragraph 3 of the document to carry out this procedure.

He explained that this agreement is broad in terms of energy cooperation, the management of joint gas fields, infrastructure development, the execution of hydrocarbon projects, and the monetization of joint resources, among others.

Rodríguez recalled that Kamla Persad-Bissessar's first words upon taking office were "to declare war on Venezuela," which came as a surprise.

"Then, the prime minister, in a hostile and aggressive attitude toward Venezuela, has joined a warlike plan by the United States government, because it must be emphasized, she has believed the pregnant birds sold to her by Marco Rubio (US Secretary of State), that he can steal gas from Venezuelans and give it to Trinidad and Tobago," he said.

He stressed that given the situation, "just as the Foreign Minister of Venezuela, Yván Gil, informed the Government of Trinidad and Tobago that a provocation through false flag actions, where they intend to attack US military installations or equipment to blame Venezuela, this has generated an important complaint that Venezuela made yesterday and today, reporting on this operation.

He reiterated that, the day before, the arrest of a group of individuals linked to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was reported. They have provided sufficient information "for us to go out to the country and the international community to denounce this new provocation that seeks to escalate the United States' aggression against Venezuela."

Rodríguez emphasized that this is not a conflict, but rather US aggression against Venezuela. "President Maduro has said it, it's about Venezuela's oil and gas. President (Gustavo) Petro of Colombia has also denounced it, it's an oil war, a hydrocarbon war that they are trying to establish, threatening the peace and tranquility of our Caribbean region," he emphasized.

The only way is energy cooperation

The vice president confirmed that they are responsibly proposing to the Venezuelan president to denounce the aforementioned agreement and, consequently, "suspend all gas agreements that Venezuela maintains with Trinidad and Tobago."

He stated that despite the historic ties and friendship that unite the two nations, the country's new prime minister decided to follow the US's war agenda against countries like Venezuela and Colombia.

He also reiterated that the only path forward is energy cooperation, which is why "this directive responsibly proposes to President Nicolás Maduro that he denounce the cooperation agreement and suspend all gas agreements" between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago.

He added that the path is peace, brotherhood, and cooperation among peoples, but Persad-Bissessar decided to turn that Caribbean country "into a United States aircraft carrier, a United States military colony, to lend itself to the war plan against Venezuela, and it is a war for oil and gas."

Prime Minister's position on extrajudicial killings in the Caribbean

In the context of Washington's military deployment in the Caribbean, the vice president referred to the statements made by the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago when the first boat was attacked.

"The first thing she said was to kill them all. There is no due process here, no presumption of innocence, no trials; there are extrajudicial executions in the Caribbean against humble citizens of our countries. They are given a death sentence," he emphasized.

She also noted that among those killed during the US attacks were citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, and that the first thing the Prime Minister did "was celebrate. It really leaves a lot to be desired."

"The saddest and most shameful thing is how it attempts to disassociate itself from the fundamental principles of CARICOM, which govern the lives of the Caribbean countries, which have raised the flag for peace, for preserving our territory as a territory of peace, as enshrined in the CELAC declaration," he added.

Rodriguez had previously warned the Government of Trinidad and Tobago that the country's economy could to collapse if Venezuela stops supplying it with gas.