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Venezuelan President Nicolas ­Maduro has accused Prime Minister Kamla Persad-­Bissessar of deliberately doing “great harm” within the region and destroying historic bonds between the two countries as she on Monday reiterated her support for the US’ military action in the Caribbean.

Speaking during an interview with Vene­zuela’s VTV on Monday night, Maduro referred to mass demonstrations held throughout Venezuelan states in the aftermath of a government decision to sever gas ties with Trinidad and Tobago and declare Persad-Bissessar persona non grata.

Ruling party the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) last week called for protests criticising Persad-Bissessar following the docking of US-guided missile destroyer USS Gravely in Trinidad waters, and more than ten (at that time) lethal boat strikes in the Caribbean that killed dozens.