and accuses the government of that island of being involved in the seizure of an oil tanker:
“The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela informs that it has become fully aware of the participation of the government of Trinidad and Tobago in the theft of Venezuelan oil, committed by the United States administration on December 10 with the assault on a vessel transporting this strategic product from Venezuela. This act of piracy constitutes a serious violation of international law and a blatant transgression of the principles of free navigation and trade.
The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, has revealed a hostile agenda against Venezuela since taking office, including the installation of U.S. military radars to besiege vessels transporting Venezuelan oil. This official has turned the territory of Trinidad and Tobago into a U.S. aircraft carrier to attack Venezuela, in an unequivocal act of vassalage.
In the face of this escalation of hostilities and serious aggressions, President Nicolás Maduro Moros had, at the time, proceeded to denounce the Framework Agreement on Energy Cooperation signed with Trinidad and Tobago.
Today, in light of this extremely serious act that seeks to crudely steal Venezuela’s oil, the Venezuelan government has decided to immediately extinguish any contract, agreement, or negotiation for the supply of natural gas to that country.
Venezuela demands respect! And it will not allow any colonial entity and its vassals to attack the sacred sovereignty of the country and its right to development. Venezuela will always prevail.”