THE Dragon is not dead and Venezuela remains a critical and essential factor in Trinidad and Tobago’s energy calculations, former prime minister Stuart Young said yesterday.

Commenting on the Government’s decision to pursue energy initiatives with Guyana and Suriname, former PM Young said at a news conference at Balisier House: “Even if there are significant gas reserves in Suriname and Guyana, which I hope there are, any pipeline carrying gas from Suriname or Guyana to Trinidad and Tobago has to pass through Venezuela’s territorial waters.”

Young also said it was “frightening to hear” Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar declare the Dragon gas deal dead, without looking at any documentation or any analysis.