On 22nd May 2026, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago held a bilateral-hybrid meeting to discuss cooperation on the management of potential cross-border hydrocarbon spills.
His Excellency Freddy Ñáñez, Minister of Popular Power for Ecosocialism led the Venezuelan delegation which included His Excellency Raúl Li Causi Pérez, Vice Minister of the People’s Power for Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and other representatives attached to the Ministry of People’s Power for Fisheries and Aquaculture, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA).
Dr the Honourable Roodal Moonilal, Minister of Energy and Energy Industries led the Trinidad and Tobago delegation which included the Honourable Ernesto Kesar, Minister in the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, Permanent Secretaries at the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, the Chief Technical Officer at the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, technical staff at the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries; representatives from the Heritage Petroleum Company Limited ; and representatives from the Institute of Marine Affairs.
Discussions covered the reported oil spill at Riser Platform No. 2, Main Soldado Field Gulf of Paria where both parties agreed to continue to exchange information as scientific work and technical investigations continue. Minister Moonilal took the opportunity to propose the establishment of a joint working committee to address and resolve concerns related to the incident and further expressed that meetings such as these can provide a platform for renewed discussions on the Bilateral Oil Spill Contingency Plan between the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming the importance of continued bilateral cooperation, information sharing, and coordinated engagement on matters related to marine environmental protection. The discussions underscored the shared commitment of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to maintaining open communication and strengthening regional collaboration in addressing potential cross-border environmental incidents.