00:00In a new development in the reset of this country's relationship with Venezuela,
00:05the Prime Minister has revealed there is now a plan for her to meet with Venezuela's acting president
00:09when they both attend the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.
00:14Jewel Brown reports.
00:15After attending the ceremonial opening of the 2026-2027 law term at the Hall of Justice in Port of Spain,
00:22Prime Minister Kamala Passa-Basasa spoke with the media
00:25and fielded questions about what is being called a new chapter in the relationship between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela
00:32and asked if she had a message for Venezuela's acting president, Delce Rodriguez.
00:38The Prime Minister revealed that it is a message she could be delivering in person soon.
00:45I love her. I look forward to meeting her.
00:47In fact, I think we're hoping to meet over the... when we go up to the UN?
00:53UN? UNGA, yes. I think there is a plan that we will meet at the end of September.
01:0025th of September or something, yeah.
01:01So meeting at the United Nations in New York?
01:04There is a plan. If it doesn't happen, I'll let you know, but that is a plan.
01:09Minister Sobers is working on it. If it works out, it happens. If it doesn't work out, I'll let you
01:13know.
01:14While Foreign and Caracom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers met with his counterpart during his official trip to Venezuela last week,
01:20he did not meet with Venezuela's acting president.
01:23I think Minister Sobers did very well. He was very successful in his visit.
01:29And I think, look, you may not know, my mother-in-law is Venezuelan.
01:35My two grand-nephews are Venezuelan.
01:40Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela, we have very, very close ties.
01:43So whatever has to be done, we will do in the best interest of Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela.
01:49In October of last year, Venezuela's National Assembly approved a motion
01:53declaring the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Persona Nongata,
01:57a move Prime Minister Pasad Besasa had described as useless.
02:00This followed the Prime Minister's full support for the then-lethal kinetic strikes
02:05by U.S. military forces in the Caribbean on boats the U.S. said were being used by narco-terrorists.
02:12After U.S. forces captured Venezuela's president, Nicolas Maduro,
02:15and his wife in January of this year, Dulce Rodriguez became Venezuela's acting president.
02:21I will meet with anyone who wishes to meet me.
02:25For the benefit of the people of Trinidad and Tobago, I will do whatever I have to do, always.
02:30The U.S. has lifted sanctions on Venezuela's oil and natural gas sectors.
02:34Opposition MP and former Energy Minister Stuart Young recently commented on social media
02:39about what he said with some of the projects the PNM secured
02:43that are providing increased gas and oil production today and into 2027.
02:48In a social media response, Prime Minister Pasad Besasa said,
02:51quote, what others talked about, we got done, end quote.
02:56TV6 News has sought an update from the Prime Minister.
02:59Is it your expectation, Prime Minister, and that you have the administration that natural gas from Venezuela
03:05could be coming across to Trinidad and Tobago, let's say within the next year, between this year and next year?
03:09I have absolutely no doubt that gas from Venezuela will come to Trinidad and Tobago.
03:14It is the only funnel, the only place it can pass.
03:18We are seven miles away and it will come.
03:20We have already signed agreements with BP.
03:22We hope to conclude agreements with Shell and XRG and many other companies.
03:27I have absolutely no doubt that in the next year, we will see natural gas coming to Trinidad and Tobago.
03:33With regard to Foreign and Caracom Affairs Minister Soba's trip last week to Venezuela,
03:38the Prime Minister said there's more to come and, quote, expect the best, end quote.
03:44Jewel Brown, TV6 News.
03:46Still to come in tonight's news, CPO resolute in government's offer of 40% cash
03:51and 60% non-cash benefits for PSA workers.
03:55We'll tell you more after the break.
