PM Critiques Kamla’s Remarks on Maduro and Threats to Dragon Gas Deal
Prime Minister Dr. Rowley has rebuked Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s comments on Venezuelan President Maduro’s government, which she labeled negative. He suggests her remarks risk jeopardizing the Dragon gas deal and relations with Venezuela. Rowley emphasizes the importance of diplomatic cohesion in energy negotiations and cautions against rhetoric that could endanger national interests.
The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago has criticized Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar for her remarks targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s government, which she labeled as “dictatorial, kleptocratic, and drug-trafficking”. In a Facebook post dated February 27, Dr. Rowley accused her of attempting to jeopardize the Dragon gas deal between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. He pointed out that her statements could hinder positive relations as his government moves towards enhancing energy cooperation with Venezuela.
Persad-Bissessar had claimed that Energy Minister Stuart Young, set to succeed Rowley as Prime Minister on March 16, was the enabler of this gas deal and cited Rowley’s indifference to dealings with Venezuela as he approaches retirement from politics. She warned that Young would face similar consequences as Rowley. Rowley recalled past criticisms from Persad-Bissessar and Oropouche East MP Dr. Roodal Moonilal regarding the Dragon gas deal secured by the government.
On December 21, 2023, the Venezuelan government granted a license to the National Gas Company (NGC) and Shell for the development and export of natural gas from the Dragon gas field to Trinidad and Tobago. This license was secured with significant involvement from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under the Biden administration, especially after concerns emerged about the project’s future following the election of Donald Trump.
Originally signed in August 2018, the $1 billion Dragon gas agreement had been placed on hold after the U.S. imposed sanctions on Venezuela in 2019. In communication with Trump on November 6, 2020, Rowley emphasized the strong bilateral ties between Trinidad and Tobago and the United States, expressing hope for continued cooperation. In his latest response, Dr. Rowley characterized Persad-Bissessar’s critiques as unpatriotic and ill-advised, suggesting they could provoke adverse reactions from the Venezuelan government and raise the risk of U.S. actions against it.
Rowley stated, “This is an even more unpatriotic act” and cautioned that Persad-Bissessar’s comments could jeopardize their cooperation with Venezuela, which Trinidad and Tobago relies on for gas supplies. He expressed disbelief that members of the United National Congress (UNC) would utilize the term “kleptocratic” when discussing others, highlighting it as a reflection of their own actions.
In summary, Prime Minister Dr. Rowley has condemned Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s comments against the Maduro government, viewing her statements as detrimental to the Dragon gas deal between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. He stresses the importance of maintaining positive diplomatic relations for future energy supplies, while highlighting the need for caution in political discourse. Rowley encourages the public to be aware of the potential consequences of such rhetoric on national interests.
Original Source: newsday.co.tt
