The Venezuelan government has formally severed energy ties with Trinidad and Tobago, accusing the Caribbean nation of colluding with the United States in what it described as an act of piracy involving the seizure of Venezuelan oil.
In a statement issued on Monday via Instagram, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez said President Nicolás Maduro had ordered the immediate termination of all contracts, agreements, and negotiations related to the supply of natural gas to Trinidad and Tobago. The decision, she said, was taken in response to what Caracas described as an escalation of hostilities and serious acts of aggression against Venezuela.
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According to Rodríguez, the Venezuelan government has full knowledge of Trinidad and Tobago’s alleged involvement in the seizure of Venezuelan oil carried out on December 10 by the United States, following the interception of a vessel transporting the strategic commodity. She characterized the incident as a grave violation of international law and a clear breach of the principles governing free navigation and international trade.
The statement directly accused Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of pursuing what it called a hostile agenda toward Venezuela since assuming office. Among the actions cited was the alleged installation of United States military radar systems in Trinidad and Tobago, which Rodríguez claimed were being used to monitor and harass Venezuelan vessels.
The vice president further alleged that Trinidad and Tobago had effectively turned its territory into a forward operating base for the United States, describing the country as a platform being used to attack Venezuela in what she termed an act of submission to foreign powers.
As part of the response, President Maduro also moved to denounce the Energy Cooperation Framework Agreement that had previously governed aspects of energy collaboration between the two countries. The Venezuelan government said the decision to cut ties was necessary in light of what it described as a deliberate attempt to steal Venezuelan oil and undermine the country’s sovereignty.
The statement concluded with a strongly worded declaration that Venezuela would not tolerate threats to its sovereignty or development, asserting that it would prevail against what it called colonial forces and their allies.
The diplomatic fallout follows last week’s seizure by United States forces of the oil tanker Skipper off Venezuela’s coast. Caracas has denounced the action as blatant theft and an act of international piracy, and has indicated it intends to raise the matter before international bodies. United States President Donald Trump has since pledged to intensify pressure on the Maduro administration.
