Hours after the government of Trinidad and Tobago announced that it had granted permission to  US military aircraft to transit its airports in the coming weeks, Venezuela accused the country of being complicit in the seizure of an oil tanker claimed by the US last week and immediately terminated energy contracts and agreements with the twin island state.

A communique posted by Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez earlier today claimed that the South American country had full knowledge of T&T’s alleged participation in what it called the theft of Venezuelan oil.

It also referenced the US’ installation of a military grade radar in Tobago, which was at first downplayed but later admitted by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.