Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela declare a new era in relations

Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela have formally declared that their relationship is entering a “new era”, setting out an ambitious programme that reaches from energy and trade to agriculture, culture and security.

The diplomatic reset followed high-level talks in Caracas between Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers and Venezuela’s Minister of People’s Power for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Felix Plasencia. A joint statement said Sobers’ visit marked “a new chapter in diplomatic relations between the neighbouring countries”.

“

new era

The two foreign ministers designed a work agenda intended to turn that declaration into structured cooperation. The programme will be led by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez and will be based on mutual respect, understanding and good neighbourliness, the statement said.

“

a new chapter in diplomatic relations between the neighbouring countries

Energy is a central priority, with both governments committing to cooperate in developing the natural resources of their territories. They also intend to deepen trade and support economic growth, while expanding agricultural cooperation to improve food security.

The roadmap includes sustainable development and environmental protection in the Caribbean, cultural cooperation to strengthen ties between the two peoples, and collective security. The declaration presents the programme as a turning point after recent tensions between the neighbouring states.

“

grounded in mutual respect, understanding, and good neighbourliness