Venezuela pauses gas deal with Trinidad and Tobago after US warship visit - As-salamu alaykum
As-salamu alaykum. Venezuela says it has put on hold a big gas agreement with neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago because the island welcomed a US warship.
President Nicolás Maduro ordered the “immediate suspension” of the supply deal, according to state media. Caracas says the presence of US naval forces near Venezuelan waters is a military threat and accuses the United States of trying to undermine its government and seize its oil and gas resources.
Maduro criticised Trinidad and Tobago’s leader, saying the island had effectively become an outpost for US power in the region. He also claimed Trinidad had already run short of gas before Venezuela agreed to help.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar rebutted those claims, telling local media that her country’s future “does not depend on Venezuela and never has.” She said her government has been moving away from reliance on the long-delayed Dragon gasfield, which lies in waters claimed by Venezuela, and that Trinidad won’t be blackmailed for political support.
The USS Gravely, a guided-missile destroyer carrying US Marines, arrived in Port of Spain ahead of planned joint exercises. Venezuelan officials called the visit a provocation, while Trinidad’s government noted that joint drills with the US are routine.
Since September, the US has carried out strikes in the region against vessels it alleges were involved in drug-smuggling, actions that have drawn criticism from several Latin American and Caribbean leaders. Venezuela says those operations are a pretext for foreign powers to take control of its energy wealth.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil Pinto told the UN General Assembly that an “illegal and completely immoral military threat” hangs over his country. Some Venezuelan officials accuse the US of preparing to push Maduro from power using the drug-war claims.
The Dragon gas project was agreed in 2018 but has been delayed, complicated further by US sanctions on Venezuela. International companies and Trinidad’s National Gas Company hold licences to develop the field, and there are questions about how the recent suspension might affect related projects like the Manatee field.
The Dragon field is said to contain large volumes of natural gas. Observers note that relying on new fossil fuel projects raises climate concerns and conflicts with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Trinidad and Tobago currently depends heavily on gas for its energy needs, with renewables barely contributing.
May Allah protect the region from conflict and guide leaders to just, peaceful solutions.
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