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A dangerous diplomatic row in threatening to erupt between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela after the Bolivarian Republic issued a formal communiqué on Friday condemning what it described as an “irate and unjustified” response by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to allegations made by President Nicolás Maduro about Trinidadian nationals entering Venezuelan territory with criminal intent.

In its June 6 statement, released from Caracas, the Venezuelan government expressed “profound surprise” at the Prime Minister’s warning that “any unidentified vessel entering T&T’s waters will be met with deadly force”, calling it an overreaction that risks undermining long-standing bilateral relations.

The Venezuelan communiqué claims that its authorities “captured criminals of Trinidadian origin”, who allegedly confessed to planned activities and were supported by “compelling evidence.” It accused Persad-Bissessar of responding to President Maduro’s legitimate concerns with hostility, warning that her "virulent and high-sounding attitude raises serious suspicions of complicity" and compromises cooperation.