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Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is now considered “Persona Grata” in Venezuela, marking a significant reversal nearly a year after she was declared persona non grata amid deteriorating relations between the neighbouring countries.
The development was confirmed in a joint declaration issued following Persad-Bissessar’s meeting with Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez in New York on Wednesday, September 23.
The two leaders met at Venezuela’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
According to the joint declaration, Venezuela specifically indicated that Persad-Bissessar was now considered Persona Grata in the country.
The development represents a major shift from October 2025, when Venezuela’s National Assembly declared the Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister persona non grata during a period of heightened tensions between Port of Spain and Caracas.
Wednesday’s meeting was described by both governments as marking the beginning of a new stage in bilateral relations.
Persad-Bissessar and Rodríguez reaffirmed the historic relationship between the neighbouring countries and committed to strengthening relations based on mutual respect, sovereignty, good neighbourliness, dialogue and cooperation.
The governments also agreed to pursue cooperation in trade, energy, security, air connectivity, tourism, disaster risk management, environmental protection, agriculture and culture.
Another major development emerging from the talks is an agreement for reciprocal official visits.
Persad-Bissessar is expected to make an official visit to Caracas, while Rodríguez is expected to visit Port of Spain as the governments establish a direct high-level consultation mechanism.
The declaration represents one of the clearest signs yet of a reset in relations between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela following months of diplomatic tension.
