Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Sean Sobers declined to answer several questions in Parliament relating to Trinidad and Tobago’s position on Venezuela and its support for United States actions in the region.

Sobers invoked Standing Order 26(3), which allows a minister to refuse to respond to a question if, in their opinion, doing so would be contrary to the public interest.

“Pursuant to the question raised, as the Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, I believe it is prudent to invoke Standing Order 26(3), which states inter alia that a minister may decline to answer a question if, in his opinion, the publication of such an answer will be contrary to the public interest,” Sobers said.

The questions, posed by Independent Senator Anthony Vieira, SC, sought clarification on the Government’s support for United States actions described as targeting narco-terrorism in the region, and whether that support was limited to counter-narcotics and transnational crime efforts.

Vieira also asked the minister to outline the Government’s policy position in light of suggestions that US actions were linked to broader energy security concerns, and to clarify Trinidad and Tobago’s stance on principles such as non-intervention and the prohibition on the use of force under the United Nations Charter.

In a further question, the senator asked whether the Government would commit to laying a statement in Parliament detailing the nature and scope of Trinidad and Tobago’s involvement in any US-led operations targeting Venezuela.

Sobers declined to provide responses to those queries.

The issue comes amid a significant shift in Trinidad and Tobago’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

Since taking office in May 2025, Persad-Bissessar has moved away from the country’s longstanding policy of non-alignment, instead expressing support for US-led efforts to combat drug trafficking in the region.

The Government has backed actions by US President Donald Trump targeting what he has described as “narco-terrorists,” particularly in relation to Venezuela.

The policy shift has also been reflected in the Government’s position on regional and international issues, including its stance on Cuba and its support for US and Israeli actions against Iran.

Persad-Bissessar was among three Caribbean leaders invited to attend the Shield of the Americas Summit in Doral, Florida on March 7, hosted by Trump.

The Government has maintained that its approach is aimed at strengthening national security and addressing transnational crime, though questions continue to be raised about the implications for regional diplomacy and international law.