Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, has stated that Trinidad and Tobago will not suffer any losses following Venezuela’s threat to suspend all energy and gas agreements with this country.
Speaking with TTT News, she confirmed that this latest development “is of no concern” as Trinidad and Tobago has “not had any energy discussions with the Venezuelan government since coming into office.”
“Our future does not depend on Venezuela and never has. We have our plans and projects to grow our economy both within the energy and non energy sectors. The last PNM government mistakenly placed all their hopes in the Dragon project. We have not done so, therefore we are not susceptible to any blackmail from the Venezuelans for political support.”
The Prime Minister reiterated that Trinidad and Tobago continues to “maintain peaceful relations with the Venezuelan people” and there is nothing to fear from the visit of the USS Gravely to Trinidad and Tobago.
“Joint training exercises between the US and Trinidad and Tobago military are solely for improving our internal security.”
The Prime Minister again stated that everything the Government has done has been to protect citizens.
“No one, be it the Venezuelan government, CARICOM or any other entity, will pressure or blackmail my government into retreating from the fight against the drug cartels. I am tired of seeing our citizens murdered and terrorised because of gang violence driven by illegal drugs and arms trafficking. Trinidad and Tobago citizens’ safety and happiness is my main concern.”