00:00Diplomatic reset between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela tonight following a highly anticipated meeting between Prime Minister Kamala Passat-Bissassar
00:08and Venezuelan President Delce Rodriguez.
00:11In a significant shift from last year's tensions, Venezuela has indicated that the Prime Minister is now persona grata,
00:19opening the door for official visits between the two leaders and a renewed agenda for bilateral cooperation.
00:26The much-anticipated meeting between Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister and Venezuelan President Delce Rodriguez has ended on a proverbial
00:36high.
00:37Prime Minister Passat-Bissassar is no longer a persona non grata.
00:41A joint statement by the two countries reads, quote,
00:45The Venezuelan side indicated that the Prime Minister was indeed persona grata in Venezuela, end quote.
00:52This now paves the way for Passat-Bissassar to visit Caracas and Rodriguez to visit Port of Spain, as prefaced
00:59in the joint statement, which says, quote,
01:02With the purpose of maintaining a direct consultation mechanism at the highest level, both dignitaries agreed to pay official visits
01:10to Caracas and Port of Spain, end quote.
01:12Passat-Bissassar was declared persona non grata by Venezuelan National Assembly in October 2025 amid tensions over Trinidad and Tobago's
01:22relationship with the United States and U.S. military activity in the region.
01:27However, relations have since improved, with Foreign Minister Sean Sobers visiting Caracas earlier this month.
01:33Following a meeting between Passat-Bissassar and Venezuela's president in New York on September 23, 2026,
01:41the Venezuelan side indicated the Prime Minister is now considered persona grata in Venezuela, marking a significant shift in the
01:49two countries' diplomatic relationship.
01:51The persona non grata status is a significant diplomatic rebuke, although it does not necessarily mean the person is banned
02:00from every type of travel or that criminal charges exist.
02:04However, the person may be refused entry into the country if already they're in a diplomatic capacity.
02:11The sending country may be expected to recall them.
02:13The working meeting between the two of the hemisphere's leading diplomats was held on Wednesday in New York as the
02:20duo attended the United Nations General Assembly.
02:23It was described as cordial and heralding the beginning of a new era in bilateral relations.
02:29Venezuela and TNT reiterated their commitment to consolidating the bilateral agenda under the principles of mutual respect, sovereignty, good neighborliness,
02:40dialogue,
02:41and cooperation for the benefit and prosperity of both peoples.
02:45It reads, quote,
02:46In that spirit, they agreed on a work agenda aimed at strengthening exchange and mutual benefit in the areas of
02:53trade, energy, security, disaster risk management, environmental protection, agriculture, tourism, air connectivity and culture, end quote.
03:02President Rodriguez reiterated the gratitude of her countrymen to the people of TNT for the expressions of solidarity offered following
03:11the earthquakes of June 24th.
03:13Ravishita Wari Rupnarein, TV6 News.
