Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela have agreed to strengthen cooperation on managing potential cross-border oil spills following bilateral talks centred on a recent incident in the Gulf of Paria.

Officials from both countries met in a hybrid session on May 22 to discuss coordination and information sharing related to hydrocarbon spills that could affect shared marine environments.

The discussions come weeks after Venezuela raised concerns over an oil spill allegedly originating in Trinidad and Tobago that it said impacted coastal areas and ecosystems near the Gulf of Paria. 

Trinidad and Tobago’s delegation was led by Energy and Energy Industries Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal, while Venezuela’s team was headed by Minister of Popular Power for Ecosocialism Freddy Ñáñez.

Representatives from Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), Trinidad’s Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries, Heritage Petroleum Company Limited and the Institute of Marine Affairs also participated in the meeting.

According to a joint statement, discussions focused on the reported oil spill at Riser Platform No. 2 in the Main Soldado Field in the Gulf of Paria.

Both countries agreed to continue exchanging information as scientific assessments and technical investigations into the incident continue.

Moonilal also proposed the establishment of a joint working committee aimed at addressing concerns related to the spill and improving coordination between the 2 neighbouring countries.

The talks also reopened discussions on a Bilateral Oil Spill Contingency Plan between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela.

The meeting ended with both sides reaffirming the importance of continued cooperation, information sharing and coordinated engagement on marine environmental protection.

Officials said the discussions highlighted the shared commitment of both countries to maintaining open communication and strengthening regional collaboration in responding to environmental incidents that could affect both territories.

Earlier this month, Trinidad and Tobago said an oil spill detected on May 1 had been quickly contained, while Venezuela claimed the incident posed “severe risks” to ecosystems in Sucre, Delta Amacuro and the Gulf of Paria.