Guyana, Trinidad & Venezuela LNG

Caribbean crossroads to a unified future. The Caribbean stands at a pivotal moment. A decision made on May 20, 2025 to extend Chevron's license to operate in Venezuela for 60 days has sparked debates about economic sanctions, regional alliances, and global energy dynamics. For some, this move signals a pragmatic step towards stabilizing Venezuela's economy. For others, it's a betrayal of hardline principles or a threat to regional sovereignty. Yet beneath the surface lies an opportunity, a chance for Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana to forge a Caribbean alliance that counters external powers and builds a future of shared prosperity. We will explore the challenges, reactions, and possibilities, weaving a narrative from conflict to hope. The spark of controversy, children's license extension. On May 20th, 2025, the United States government under President Donald Trump announced a 60-day extension of Chevron's license to operate in Venezuela, reversing earlier plans to revoke it. This decision orchestrated by special envoy Richard Grenell was tied to a prisoner exchange blending diplomacy with energy policy. For Venezuela, Chevron's operations, accounting for roughly a quarter of its 1 million barrels per day of oil production, offer a lifeline to an economy battered by sanctions and mismanagement. But the move steered unease among US hardliners and Caribbean neighbors, particularly Guyana, worry of Venezuela's intentions. The initial challenge lies in conflicting objectives. United States hardliners, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and representatives Mario Diaz Balard, Carlos Himenez, and Maria Elvira Salazar have long advocated for isolating Nicholas Maduro's regime through stringent sanctions. Their opposition to Chevron's presence stems from a belief that oil revenues prop up an authoritarian government. Meanwhile, Guyana, locked in a territorial dispute with Venezuela over the Eskibbo region, fears that a stronger Venezuelan economy could fuel aggression. Trinidad and Tobago caught in the middle sees potential insured gas projects but faces setbacks from United States sanctions revoking licenses for joint ventures like Platform Deltana. These tensions frame a complex puzzle. How can the Caribbean navigate its energy future without being pawns of global powers? Voices of opposition, United States hardliners and Guyana's concerns. The announcement of Chevron's license extension met with silence from US hardliners, but their historical stance speaks volumes. Rubio in January 2025 called for reconsidering Chevron's deal arguing it enriched Madura's regime. Diaz Balard Himenez and Salazar docked the crazy Cubans by Trump pressured the administration to revoke the license earlier in 2025 citing Madura's failure to hold free elections. Their silence post May 20th suggests a strategic retreat, possibly to avoid clashing with Trump's decision. Instead, they've shifted focus to immigration issues like temporary protected status for Venezuelan migrants and regional security threats such as the trendy Ara gang. This pivot reflects a broader strategy, isolates Maduro economically while addressing the fallout of Venezuela's crisis in the United States, particularly in Florida's Venezuelan American community. However, as of May 21st, 2025, Laura Loomer reported that these representatives are threatening to vote against Trump's big beautiful bill if the Chevron extension is not reversed, indicating a potential escalation of their opposition. Lumerous characterization of their stance as driven by Hispanic cognitive dissonance over Venezuela rather than national interest underscores the personal and political tensions at play suggesting they prioritize their constituents antimadura sentiments over broader energy policy gap. This tension may also contribute to the spread of misinformation as seen in Grenell's May 21st, 2025 expost labeling a Miami Herald article claiming negotiations tied Chevron's oil exports to deporty returns as fake news. Despite Grenel's dismissal, the article viral spread in Latin America suggests that hardliners restrained from direct criticism might indirectly amplify such narratives to pressure the administration, especially given Maduro and Cabo's consistent willingness to accept deportes since January 2025 with nearly 900 100,000 repatriated under the return to the homeland program in Guyana. The lack of public reaction to the extension masks deep on ease. The Esakibbo dispute where Venezuela claims twothirds of Guyana's administered territory looms large. Rubio's March 2025 visit to Guyana, warning of consequences for Venezuelan aggression underscores United States support for Guyana's sovereignty. The country's population, boyed by an oil boom led by Exxon Mobile's Star block fears that a revitalized Venezuelan economy could strengthen Maduro's hand in this dispute. Economic ties with Venezuela seem reski, potentially empowering a rival rather than fostering peace. These concerns highlight a central challenge. How to bridge ideological divides and historical mistrust to pursue mutual gains. Regional setbacks. The collapse of shared gas projects. The dream of a unified Caribbean energy market took a hit in April 2025 when the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control OAC revoked licenses for gas projects like Draon and Manakim Kuina involving Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago and indirectly Guyana. This project part of the platform delana initiative aimed to tap 8 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves near Trinidad and Guyana's maritime borders. For Venezuela, they promised revenue to offset oil sanctions. For Trinidad, a boost to its liquidified natural gas industry. and for Guyana a chance to diversify its energy portfolio. The revocation effective by May 27th, 2025 halted payments and development, leaving all three nations reeling. Trinidad and Tobago's prime minister Steuart Young sought urgent talks with Rubio, signaling the blow to their energy strategy. Venezuela lost a chance to monetize its gas reserves, while Guyana, though less directly involved, feels the ripple effects in a region where energy and geopolitics intertwine. The setback underscores the Caribbean's vulnerability to external powers, particularly the United States, which can dictate terms through sanctions. Yet, it also opens a door. Could these shared losses push Venezuela, Trinidad, and Tobago and Guyana toward a new alliance free from foreign control, global competitors, the shadow of external powers. Venezuela's oil reserves among the world's largest at 300 billion barrels attract global players each with its own agenda. Russia through Roseneft has scaled back direct investments since 2020 but continues to aid Venezuela's sanction evasion focusing on debt recovery. Chinese firms like CNPC, which took 68% of Venezuela's 2023 crude exports, are poised to seize Chevron's assets if United States companies exit with plans to refurbish refineries. Iran provides technical expertise while Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates worry of Venezuela's potential to flood oil markets and lower prices prefer a constrained Venezuelan industry. These powers see Venezuela as a prize in a global chess game with the United States using Chevron's extension to maintain leverage as Grenell's May 20th, 2025 interview suggested. This competition underscores a harsh reality. The Caribbean is a battleground for external influence. Russian and Chinese narratives frame the United States as imperialist. A view Renault's comments inadvertently bolstered. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates prioritize their own oil revenues opposing Venezuela's recovery. For Caribbean nations, reliance on these powers risks exploitation, whether through United States sanctions, Chinese loans, or Russian debt schemes. The viral spread of the Miami Herald article labeled as fake by Grenel exemplifies this dynamic with Russian and Chinese outlets potentially amplifying the narrative to weaken United States credibility in Latin America. Venezuelan government is expected to further escalate this misinformation campaign likely through state media and international allies framing the alleged oil for depart deal as proof of United States hypocrisy thus reinforcing anti-American sentiment and complicating diplomatic efforts. The Chevron extension while stabilizing Venezuela's exports delays deeper involvement by competitors offering a window for the Caribbean to chart its own course. Venezuela's balancing act playing powers against each other. Venezuela has long played a deaf game of balancing global powers. The Chevron license extension tied to a prisoner swap shows Maduro's willingness to engage the United States for economic relief, China's massive crude purchases and refinary investments secure Venezuela's export market while Iran's technical support and Russia's sanction evasion keep non-western options open. This multi-alignment strategy allows Venezuela to extract benefits from all sides using its oil wealth as leverage. Extending this approach regionally, Venezuela could spare head an alliance with Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. The platformana project despite its current halt offers a blueprint shared infrastructure could supply Trinidad's liqufied natural gas plants, boost Venezuela's revenue and integrate Guyana's burgeoning oil sector. Economic interdependence could ease tensions, particularly over Eekibbo, by aligning incentives. Historical examples like Peru and Ecuador's border resolution through economic zones suggest that cooperation can diffuse conflicts. By acting together, these nations could negotiate better terms with global powers, reducing reliance on any single player. Chapter six, forging regional unity, a Caribbean counterforce. The setbacks from halted gas projects and the broader geopolitical competition underscored the urgency of regional unity among Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. A United Caribbean could counter the influence of external powers, United States, Russia, China, Iran, and Arab states by leveraging collective energy resources and diplomatic weights. Practical steps to achieve this include establishing a regional energy framework under cariccom or select center of states from Latin America and the Caribbean modeled on successful regional blocks like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or Merosour AN. And the Association of Southeast Asian Nations formed in 1967 unified diverse nations like Indonesia and Malaysia through economic cooperation boosting their global influence. Merkosur since 1991 integrated South American economies increasing trade by 300% in its first decade. A Caribbean framework could similarly coordinate energy projects with platform Deltana's 8 trillion cubic feet of gas as a cornerstone. Economic incentives are critical for Venezuela. Gas projects could generate one or2 billion dollar annually, offsetting oil sanction losses. Trinidad and Tobago facing declining reserves could secure 150 to 300 million cubic feet of gas daily for its liqufied national gas industry, extending its energy lifespan. Guyana with its topoic block producing 600,000 barrels per day could diversify into gas gaining infrastructure and markets through partnership. These benefits align incentives encouraging cooperation over competition. The Eskibbo dispute remains a significant barrier. Venezuela's claim to twothirds of Guyana's administered territory fuels mistrust exacerbated by United States support for Guyana as seen in Rubio's March 2025 visit. A solution lies in a joint economic zone modeled on Peru and Ecuador's 1998 peace agreement which resolved a border disputes by creating shared trade areas increasing bilateral commerce by 20% annually. A similar zone in Esqibbo overseen by Karikam could channel oil and gas revenues to both nations with a moratorium on territorial claims. United States influence particularly through sanctions poses another challenge. A United Caribbean could counter this by diversifying partnerships, inviting investment from neutral players like India or Brazil, reducing reliance on any single power. Historical presidents reinforce feasibility. The European Coal and Steel Community formed in 1951, united France and Germany through shared resources, preventing conflict and laying the groundwork for the European Union. A Caribbean energy pact could similarly bind nations with Venezuela's oil and gas, Trinidad's liqufied natural gas expertise, and Guyana's rising production, forming a robust economic base. By 2030, such unity could position the Caribbean as a net energy exporter, rivaling OP members. Organization of petroleum exporting countries members. This counterforce would negotiate with global powers as equals ensuring autonomy and shared prosperity. A Caribbean horizon, a sphere of influence. Imagine a Caribbean that stands tall not as a pawn of the United States, Russia, China, Iran or Arab states, but as a vibrant sphere of influence. Venezuela's economic development fueled by projects like Chevron's operations and platform delana could anchor this vision. Trinidad and Tobago's liqufied natural gas expertise and Guyana's oil boom could amplify it, creating a regional energy hub that serves local needs first. This isn't about propping up Maduro. It's about prosperity driving stability. as the European coal and steel community once united former enemies after World War II. For United States hardliners, this offers a stable ally, reducing migration and crime woes. For Guyana's people, it transforms a rival into a partner with peace agreements safeguarding Eekibbo. United, the Caribbean could stand firm against external powers, negotiating trade on its terms. Petro Caribbe collapse touched the region the perils of reliance. Now a blend of oil, gas, and renewables could fuel a Caribbean that answers to itself. Educational strategy winning hearts and minds. To win over skeptics, we must educate and inspire. For United States hardliners, workshops could highlight how economic engagement can pressure Maduro toward reforms using examples like Vietnam's shift toward the United States despite past ties to Russia. For Guyana's citizens, public campaigns could showcase economic benefits, jobs, infrastructure, and energy security. Seminars with case studies like the Association of Southeast Asian nations regional strength would show how unity amplifies influence. Motivational appeals are key to United States hardliners. Shape a Caribbean that secures America's backyard through prosperity, not punishment. To Guyana, lead a region where unity guards your future. Social media, videos, and community events can spread this vision, painting a picture of thriving ports, bustling energy hubs, and peaceful borders. By addressing fears, regime legitimacy for the United States, territorial threats for Guyana. This strategy builds trust in a shared future. Conclusion: A call to action. The Caribbean stands at a crossroads, terror license extension, regional setbacks, and global competition highlight the challenges of division and external influence. Yet they also reveal a path forward. Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana can forge a Caribbean sphere of influence, turning adversaries into alliance through shared economic goals. By balancing global powers and prioritizing regional unity, they can build a future where the Caribbean answers to itself. prosperous, stable, and free. Let's educate with stories of success, inspire with visions of strength, and act together to make this vision real.