Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley criticized Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar for her statements about the Venezuelan government which could jeopardize the Dragon gas deal between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. He remarked that her comments were unpatriotic and potentially harmful to the country’s future energy arrangements. Rowley defended the government’s actions and expressed the urgency of public awareness regarding the political situation.
Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley has publicly criticized Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar for her recent remarks regarding the Venezuelan government. In a Facebook post dated February 27, he expressed his disapproval of her attempts to undermine the Dragon gas deal between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. Persad-Bissessar, in a statement made on February 25, characterized President Nicolas Maduro’s administration as “dictatorial, kleptocratic and drug-trafficking.” She further accused Energy Minister Stuart Young, set to succeed Rowley on March 16, of facilitating the Dragon deal and other energy agreements between the two nations.
Persad-Bissessar asserted that Rowley is indifferent to his dealings with Venezuela as he prepares to exit electoral politics. She predicted that Young would face a similar “punitive fate” as Rowley. In response, Rowley reminded supporters that both Persad-Bissessar and Oropouche East MP Dr. Roodal Moonilal had previously opposed government efforts to secure the Dragon deal. On December 21, 2023, the Venezuelan government authorized NGC and Shell to develop and export natural gas from the Dragon gas field to Trinidad and Tobago.
This deal, valued at US$1 billion, was originally signed in August 2018 but faced delays due to U.S. sanctions on Venezuela imposed in 2019 during the Trump administration. Rowley had indicated to Trump the importance of U.S.-Trinidad relations in a letter, emphasizing the need for continued cooperation in various sectors. In criticizing Persad-Bissessar’s statements, Rowley called her remarks a “unpatriotic act” and portrayed them as an attempt to jeopardize Trinidad and Tobago’s relationship with Venezuela.
Rowley expressed concern that Persad-Bissessar’s comments could provoke the Venezuelan government to sever favorable agreements with Trinidad and Tobago or prompt U.S. action against Venezuela, thus potentially damaging Trinidad and Tobago’s future gas supply arrangements. He noted the irony in her use of the term
In summary, the Prime Minister’s condemnation of Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s assertions reflects a significant political conflict regarding Trinidad and Tobago’s energy dealings with Venezuela. Rowley defended the Dragon gas deal and expressed concern over the implications of Persad-Bissessar’s comments, arguing they could threaten future energy cooperation. He urged the public to remain aware of the potential repercussions of such statements on national interests.
Original Source: newsday.co.tt
