Venezuela Criticizes Kamla Persad-Bissessar as Defense Minister Warns Trinidad and Tobago Over U.S. Support

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has criticized Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago over her recent remarks on U.S. security cooperation, calling on the twin-island nation to maintain relations with Venezuela rooted in mutual respect. Maduro’s comments come amid heightened regional tension, as his government has accused Washington of attempting to use Caribbean states to justify military operations near Venezuelan territory. In his statement, he suggested that external influences may be shaping Trinidad and Tobago’s position and urged against policies that Caracas perceives as hostile.

The Venezuelan government’s concerns were echoed by Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López, who warned that if Trinidad and Tobago or Guyana permit their territories to be used for military actions against Venezuela, Caracas would respond in defence of its sovereignty. His remarks were directed at the recent increase of U.S. operations in the southern Caribbean, officially described by Washington as anti-narcotics missions. Venezuelan officials, however, insist that these actions form part of a broader strategy of political destabilization aimed at regime change.

In response, Persad-Bissessar has defended her administration’s cooperation with the United States, particularly in the areas of combating drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and human trafficking. She has emphasized that Trinidad and Tobago has not granted permission for its territory to be used as a staging ground for military strikes on Venezuela, while reiterating that the relationship between the two countries should be based on mutual respect.

The dispute highlights the delicate balance smaller Caribbean nations face as they navigate security partnerships with Washington while managing complex relationships with Venezuela. Trinidad and Tobago shares close geographic proximity and longstanding ties with its South American neighbor, including energy trade and migration flows, but is also under pressure to support broader regional security initiatives. With both sides taking firm positions, the situation underscores the potential for rising diplomatic friction in a region already marked by economic pressures, migration challenges, and shifting geopolitical alignments.

Sources: Newsday (Trinidad & Tobago), Guardian (Trinidad & Tobago), Trinidad Express, Associated Press