Venezuela accuses Trinidad and Tobago over oil spill reaching its shores

Venezuela has raised the alarm over an oil spill that it claims originated from the neighboring Caribbean island nation of Trinidad and Tobago and has reached its shores. The foreign ministry said on Friday that the spill threatens fragile ecosystems and disrupts fishing activities.

The incident threatens to further strain relations between the two countries. Caracas was angered when Trinidad's new government supported U.S. actions that led to the abduction of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

In a statement, the ministry said: "There is a threat to marine ecosystems, fishing activities, and coastal communities." It demanded that Trinidad and Tobago "fully assume its responsibility by adopting immediate measures to prevent further incidents" and be transparent "regarding the causes, scope, and consequences of this spill."

The government in Port of Spain responded by deploying security services to locate the alleged spill and requested coordinates from Venezuela. Energy Minister Roodal Moonilal told Reuters: "The Air Guard and Coast Guard have been deployed to do reconnaissance work on the sea and with drones to determine the facts." He added that the island's foreign ministry had also contacted Venezuela's embassy in Port of Spain for more information.

The Venezuelan government did not specify which areas were affected, but said satellite imagery had confirmed the spill.

The small English-speaking island nation of Trinidad and Tobago lies just 10 km off Venezuela's coast. Relations have been strained since Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar returned to power last year and adopted a hardline stance on Venezuelan migration. She also worked to strengthen ties with the U.S. prior to Maduro's capture in January.

The alleged oil spill echoes a February 2024 incident, when a tanker sank in Trinidad and Tobago's waters and pollution spread into Venezuela's territorial waters.