US Ambassador Breaks Silence On TT-Venezuela Meeting

US Ambassador Joseph Mondello says he had expressed concern to the Minister of National Security about the consistency of Delcy Rodriguez’s visit to Port of Spain, with Trinidad and Tobago’s obligations as a party to the Rio Treaty.

In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, the Ambassador said while he would not normally comment on private conversations with host Government officials, the Government has spoken publicly about his May 6th conversation with Minister Stuart Young.

He stated that Article 20 of the Rio Treaty makes it unambiguously clear, that all measures imposed by the Organ of Consultation – like the travel restrictions on Ms. Rodriguez – are binding on all Treaty parties, whether or not they voted in favour of such measures.

There have been questions surrounding a meeting between Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley and Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, and the context of the discussions with her.

Prime Minister Rowley has maintained that discussions with the Venezuelan Vice President during her recent visit to Trinidad were based solely on the National Security implications surrounding COVID-19.

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