Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela have committed to keeping diplomatic lines open following a regional dispute sparked by allegations of mercenaries reportedly traveling to Venezuela from Trinidad. The agreement, reached on Monday, emphasizes the “longstanding fraternal relationship as neighbouring countries.”
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A statement from Trinidad’s Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs confirmed that Minister Sean Sobers held discussions with Venezuela’s Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Álvaro Sánchez Corder, during a courtesy call. “During the meeting, Minister Sobers and Ambassador Sánchez recognised the importance of the longstanding fraternal relationship as neighbouring countries that share strong cultural and historical ties,” the statement read.
The Ministry further elaborated, stating, “Both sides also discussed matters of mutual interest and concern, inclusive of recent events with minister Sobers reiterating the Government of the Republic Trinidad and Tobago’s previous request for information from the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,” without providing specific details on the “recent events” or the requested information.
The diplomatic spat had previously raised concerns among neighboring countries, with the Prime Minister of St. Vincent notably urging Trinidad and Venezuela “to act peacefully.”
“Arising out of the discussions, it was agreed that in the spirit of constructive dialogue, open diplomatic channels would be maintained with a view to ensuring that the exchange of information is fair, transparent and consistent,” the Ministry’s statement concluded.
Earlier, the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ), a left-leaning political party, had called on Port of Spain to appoint a special envoy to address Venezuela’s allegations that Trinidad and Tobago was being used as a launchpad for individuals attempting to overthrow the Nicolas Maduro government in Venezuela.
MSJ leader, David Abdulah, speaking at the party’s weekly virtual news conference, also suggested that Port of Spain should engage in “back room” diplomacy, particularly given the absence of an appointed ambassador to the South American nation.
Abdulah criticized the Trinidad and Tobago government’s initial approach, stating, “First of all we want to state that the approach by the Trinidad and Tobago government was not a well advised one and as several people have stated what ought to have happened was a quiet back room diplomacy after the first statement by President [Nicholas] Maduro and that simply could have been a reach out through the diplomatic channels to try to ascertain what information, evidence what information and what evidence the Venezuelan authorities infact have.”
