Trinidad and Tobago’s Foreign Minister Goes to Caracas

By The Rio Times | Created at 2026-09-04 07:36:34 | Updated at 2026-09-04 09:05:46 1 hour ago

Caribbean · ENERGY

Key Facts

—What happened Trinidad and Tobago’s foreign minister arrived in Caracas for an official visit.
—Who met him Venezuela’s Vice Minister for the Caribbean received him at the airport.
—Agenda Talks cover energy, trade, national security, and cross-border issues.
—The catch No agreement was signed; talks aim to strengthen cooperation.
—What comes next Meetings with Venezuela’s foreign minister are scheduled during the visit.

Sean Sobers arrived in Caracas on Thursday for talks on energy, trade, and border security.

minister visits Venezuela - Sean Sobers with Venezuelan officials

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Trinidad and Tobago’s foreign minister visits Venezuela for talks on energy and trade. Sean Sobers arrived in Caracas on Thursday, September 3, 2026.

Official Visit Begins

Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Sean Sobers, arrived in Caracas on Thursday, September 3, 2026. He leads a delegation on an official visit to Venezuela.

Venezuela’s Vice Minister for the Caribbean, Raúl Li Causi, received Sobers and his team at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía. The delegation includes senior diplomats from Trinidad and Tobago’s foreign ministry.

High-Level Meetings Planned

During his stay, Sobers is scheduled to hold high-level meetings with Venezuelan authorities. He is due to meet with Venezuela’s Foreign Minister, Félix Plasencia.

The talks aim to strengthen ties and cooperation in areas of common interest. This visit follows telephone contact between the two foreign ministers in mid-August 2026.

Agenda Covers Energy and Trade

Venezuelan state television, VTV, said Sobers came with a broad agenda on energy, trade, national security, and cross-border issues. This description was reported by EFE and other outlets.

The agenda also includes commercial matters and border security. Both countries share maritime borders in the Caribbean.

Focus on Caribbean Energy Security

TeleSUR reported that the visit seeks to rebuild the neighborhood agenda and address bilateral cooperation. It also focuses on Caribbean energy security.

Trinidad and Tobago is a major producer of natural gas in the region. The country needs Venezuelan gas to supply its processing plants.

Dragon Gas Field Project

The Dragon gas field is a key project between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. Trinidad’s National Gas Company holds a 30-year exploration and production licence granted by Venezuela in December 2023.

The project is described as multi-billion dollar, but no exact figure is available. Trinidad needs the gas to keep its petrochemical industry running.

Delegation Members

The delegation includes Randall Karim, Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Ministry and head of the Foreign Service. Officials Claire de Bourg and Christopher Thomas from the Americas Division are also part of the team.

These diplomats will support Sobers during the meetings. Their presence shows the importance of the visit for bilateral relations.

Roadmap for Cooperation

The Jamaica Observer reported that both countries agreed on a roadmap to deepen cooperation. This covers trade, energy, agriculture, environmental protection, culture, and collective security.

The joint statement was issued after the meeting between Sobers and his Venezuelan counterpart. It marks a new chapter in diplomatic relations.

New Era in Relations

The visit is seen as starting a new era in relations between the two nations. This era will be led by Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodríguez and Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Both leaders have expressed interest in closer ties. The roadmap aims to turn that interest into concrete actions.

Background of the Visit

The visit comes after months of diplomatic contact. In mid-August 2026, the two foreign ministers spoke by phone to discuss cooperation.

That call set the stage for this official visit. Now, Sobers is in Caracas to build on that momentum.

Reception at the Airport

Sobers and his delegation landed at Simón Bolívar International Airport. They were greeted by Vice Minister Raúl Li Causi.

The reception was reported by Prensa Latina and teleSUR. It shows the official nature of the visit.

Statements from Officials

Venezuela‘s foreign ministry said the meetings aim to strengthen friendship and cooperation. This was reported by Prensa Latina.

No specific agreements have been announced yet. The talks are ongoing.

What the Visit Means

This visit is a step toward closer ties between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. Both countries share economic interests in energy and trade.

The outcome of the talks could affect regional energy security. Observers will watch for any concrete results.

No Agreement Signed

As of now, no agreement has been signed during this visit. The talks are focused on setting a roadmap for future cooperation.

The joint statement mentions areas of cooperation but no specific deals. Further meetings may lead to formal agreements.

Looking Ahead

Sobers will continue his meetings in Caracas before returning home. The visit is expected to last a few days.

After the visit, both governments will review the outcomes. They may plan follow-up meetings to implement the roadmap.

Background of the Dragon Gas Field

The Dragon gas field lies in waters between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago. In December 2023, Venezuela granted a 30-year licence to Trinidad’s state-owned National Gas Company.

The licence covers exploration and production of the field.

This licence allows the company to search for and extract gas for three decades. The project is important for Trinidad and Tobago because it helps secure energy supplies for its industries and for export.

Previous Diplomatic Contact

Before this visit, the foreign ministers of the two countries had spoken by telephone in mid-August 2026. That call helped set the stage for the current official visit.

The visit is part of ongoing efforts to rebuild neighbourly ties between the two Caribbean nations. Such contacts are normal steps in diplomacy to prepare for face-to-face meetings.

Who Is in the Delegation

The Trinidad and Tobago delegation includes Randall Karim, the Foreign Ministry’s Permanent Secretary and head of the Foreign Service. Also present are Claire de Bourg and Christopher Thomas from the ministry’s Americas Division.

These officials handle relations with countries in the Americas, so their presence shows the importance of this visit. They will likely support the minister in talks and follow-up work.

What the Visit Means for the Region

The visit is seen as a step toward a new chapter in relations between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela.

According to a joint statement reported by the Jamaica Observer, the two countries agreed on a roadmap. It aims to deepen cooperation in trade, energy, agriculture, environmental protection, culture, and collective security.

This roadmap is a plan for future work, not a signed treaty. It shows the areas where both governments want to work together more closely.

No Agreement Signed

As of the reporting date, no formal agreement has been signed during this visit. The talks are part of an ongoing process to strengthen ties.

The next steps will likely involve further meetings and discussions to turn the roadmap into concrete actions. Both sides have expressed a desire to improve relations, but any final deals will come later.