Venezuela declares Kamla persona grata
Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez has confirmed that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is persona grata in Venezuela, signaling a significant shift in relations between the two neighboring countries. The confirmation came during a meeting between Rodriguez and Persad-Bissessar at the Permanent Mission of Venezuela to the United Nations in New York on Wednesday, on the margins of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
According to a joint statement issued by the Governments of Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago, the two leaders held a cordial working meeting which heralded “the beginning of a new era in bilateral relations”. The statement said the leaders reaffirmed the historical bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries and committed to consolidating the bilateral agenda based on mutual respect, sovereignty, good neighborliness, dialogue and cooperation.
They agreed on a work agenda covering trade, energy, security, disaster risk management, environmental protection, agriculture, tourism, air connectivity and culture. Rodriguez also expressed the gratitude of the Venezuelan people to the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago for expressions of solidarity following the earthquakes of June 24, 2026. The leaders further agreed to maintain a direct consultation mechanism at the highest level and will pay official visits to Caracas and Port of Spain. The joint statement specifically said, “The Venezuelan side indicated that the Prime Minister was indeed Persona Grata in Venezuela.”
