Venezuela has accused the Government of Trinidad and Tobago of complicity in what it calls the theft of Venezuelan oil — and has announced the immediate termination of any gas supply negotiations with this country. The Statement came today from Venezuela's Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, following the United States' seizure of an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela last Friday.
00:01Venezuela's Vice President, Elsie Rodriguez, says her government has decided to immediately cancel all contracts, agreements, and negotiations related to the supply of natural gas to Trinidad and Tobago.
00:14In a sharply worded statement issued today, the Venezuelan government accused Trinidad and Tobago of participating in what it described as the theft of Venezuelan oil.
00:24An incident, it claims, occurred on December 10th involving the U.S.'s seizure of a vessel transporting Venezuelan crude.
00:32Caracas alleges the operation was carried out by the United States and claims Trinidad and Tobago was complicit in the act, which Venezuela labeled as piracy and a serious violation of international law.
00:45Rodriguez further accused Prime Minister Kamala Prasad-Basasa of pursuing what she described as a hostile agenda toward Venezuela since assuming office.
00:55The statement claims the installation of U.S. military radar systems in Trinidad and Tobago was intended to monitor and target vessels transporting Venezuelan oil and goes as far as accusing this country of allowing its territory to be used as a base for U.S. military operations against Venezuela.
01:15In response, Venezuela says President Nicolás Maduro has formally denounced a framework agreement on energy cooperation between the two countries, a move that effectively brings all bilateral gas discussions to an end.
01:30The Venezuelan government says the decision was taken in defense of its sovereignty and national resources, insisting it will not tolerate what it calls colonial interference or external aggression.
01:41The gas supply negotiations have been viewed as critical to Trinidad and Tobago's energy future, particularly as the country seeks new sources to sustain its LNG and petrochemical industries.
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