EVEN AS he questioned who she was being influenced by and criticised her for supporting US military aggression against his nation, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Monday called for Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to renew bilateral relations with his country, but added this must be done with respect.

He however also vowed to continue to strengthen Venezuela's defences to protect its sovereignty. Maduro spoke at a press conference in Caracas on September 15, hours before the White House announced that US military personnel had bombed a boat in international waters which it claimed was a narco vessel from Venezuela. Three people on board were killed.

Speaking at the press conference aired live on state media, VTV, and on his YouTube page, Maduro suggested Persad-Bissessar had "lost her mind," even as he called on TT to, "once more impose relations based on respect."