In Brief
- Diplomatic Meeting Planned: PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar says she hopes to meet Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez at the UN General Assembly in New York later this month.
- Past Tensions: The planned meeting follows Rodriguez previously declaring Persad-Bissessar ‘Persona Non Grata’ in 2025, though the PM says she remains open to engagement.
- Ongoing Talks: Foreign Affairs Minister Sean Sobers is reportedly working to finalise the meeting following his recent diplomatic mission to Venezuela.
- Gas Agreements: Persad-Bissessar expressed confidence that natural gas from Venezuela will reach Trinidad and Tobago within the next year, citing agreements already signed with BP and ongoing talks with Shell.
By Alicia Chamely
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says she is looking forward to meeting Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez at the United Nations General Assembly later this month.
Speaking to the media after the ceremonial opening of the 2026/2027 Law Term at the Hall of Justice, Port of Spain, Persad-Bissessar expressed confidence in building ties with the Venezuelan government.
Following Foreign Affairs Minister Sean Sobers’ diplomatic mission to Venezuela, Persad-Bissessar was asked if she would meet with Rodriguez, given that she was declared “Persona Non Grata” by the Venezuelan Government in 2025.
Persad-Bissessar said, “I will meet with anyone who wishes to meet me. But whatever will benefit the people of Trinidad and Tobago, I will always do whatever I have to do.”
She said there were plans to meet with Rodriguez at the United Nations General Assembly in Manhattan, New York, later in September.
Pressed for more details, she said, “There is a plan. If it doesn’t happen, I’ll let you know. But that is a plan. Minister Sobers is working on it. If it works out, it happens. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll let you know.”
Persad-Bissessar was asked what message she wanted to send to Rodriguez, to which she replied, “I love her. I look forward to meeting her.”
The Prime Minister said there were “close ties” between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela, and that she would continue to act in the interest of the country.
Regarding natural gas from Venezuela, Persad-Bissessar said she had “no doubt” that gas from Venezuela would come to T&T.
She said, “It [T&T] is the only funnel, the only place it can pass. We are seven miles away, and it will come.”
Persad-Bissessar said, “We have already signed agreements with BP. We hope to conclude agreements with Shell and many other companies. I have absolutely no doubt that in the next year we will see natural gas coming to Trinidad.”
She reiterated the ties between T&T and Venezuela, saying, “We are neighbours, we are family.”
