Venezuela’s Maduro accuses Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister of threatening war

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Monday accused Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of threatening to authorize attacks on Venezuelan territory, calling her remarks “crazy” and akin to a declaration of war.

“The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago went crazy, she went crazy because she was threatening that she was going to authorize attacks from Trinidad and Tobago against Venezuela. That is like declaring war against Venezuela,” Maduro said during a press conference.

Maduro said he was certain the people of Trinidad and Tobago did not support such a stance, and urged the country to return to “relations of respect.” He speculated that outside forces, including U.S. politicians, were influencing Persad-Bissessar. “Who is behind this? Marco Rubio of course. The death war and warlord, that is how he is being described,” Maduro said.

Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López also issued a warning, stating that any attack launched from Trinidad and Tobago or Guyana would be met with a response. In an Instagram post, he said such retaliation would constitute legitimate defense.