Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said Trinidad and Tobago could begin receiving natural gas from Venezuela within the next year, as her government seeks to strengthen relations with its South American neighbour. Persad-Bissessar said agreements have already been signed with BP and that she hopes similar arrangements can be concluded with Shell, XRG and other companies involved in the development of Venezuelan gas resources.

The Prime Minister also said she is prepared to meet Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodríguez, despite the political sensitivities surrounding relations between the two countries. Asked about Rodríguez directly, Persad-Bissessar said she loves her and looks forward to meeting her, adding that there is a plan for the two leaders to meet in New York around Sept. 25 during the United Nations General Assembly. She said the meeting has not been finalized and that Energy Minister Sean Sobers is working on the arrangements.