Venezuela Cuts Off Natural Gas Supply to Trinidad and Tobago

In an abrupt move, Venezuela has cancelled all contracts, agreements, and negotiations for the supply of natural gas to Trinidad and Tobago, citing ‘hostile acts’ by the United States. The decision was announced by Vice President Delcy Rodriguez on December 15. The Venezuelan government accuses Trinidad and Tobago of participating in the ‘theft’ of its oil, following an alleged December 10 assault by the US on a vessel carrying Venezuelan crude oil. Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, has been accused of adopting a hostile policy towards Caracas, including the allowance of U.S. military radar systems to monitor vessels carrying Venezuelan oil. The Venezuelan government has decided to halt any current or future contracts or negotiations related to the natural gas supply to the Caribbean nation in defense of its sovereignty.