Kamla’s Phone Conversation with Delcy

Two days after the deadly earthquakes in Venezuela, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC and acting Venezuelan President, Delcy Rodriquez, spoke on the phone.

What was the conversationn all about? Certainly, the earthquakes and the devastation on the people of Venezuela.

Following the phone conversation, both leaders exchanged letters. The following are the letters:

Letter from Acting President Delcy Rodriquez:

Caracas, July 8, 2026

Her Excellency

Kamla Persad-Bissessar

Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Your Office.

Your Excellency,

I have the honor of addressing you, on behalf of the people and the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, to express our most sincere gratitude for your heartfelt words of condolence and your expressions of solidarity following the devastating earthquakes that affected our country. These demonstrations of support have been a beacon of hope during this time of sorrow and reaffirm that solidarity is the path that unites our peoples.

We are confident that the resilience of the Venezuelan people, together with the words of encouragement from the international community, will enable us to move forward with renewed strength toward recovery and the well-being of every affected family.

I take this opportunity to renew to you the assurances of my highest esteem and distinguished consideration.

Sincerely,

Delcy Eloína Rodríguez Gómez

Acting President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

 Response from Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC

July 14, 2026

Her Excellency Delcy Rodriguez

President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

Palacio de Miraflores

Caracas

Your Excellency,

I wish to thank you for your letter dated July 8, 2026, and for your kind appreciation of the expressions of solidarity extended by the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago following the tragic earthquakes which struck Venezuela on June 24, 2026.

As you may recall from our telephone conversation on June 26, 2026, I indicated that my Government had activated a major public-private sector humanitarian relief initiative for our brothers and sisters in Venezuela. I was therefore pleased that the first tranche of more than 230 tonnes of relief supplies arrived at the International Port of La Guaira, Venezuela, on July 10, 2026.

We are also collaborating with the relevant authorities in your country to facilitate the shipment of requested vaccines to Venezuela via Caribbean Airlines.

As stated in my letter to Your Excellency dated June 29, 2026, Trinidad and Tobago has also been actively approving a series of overflight requests from several countries to facilitate international humanitarian relief efforts to Venezuela.

As Trinidad and Tobago’s closest neighbour, Venezuela occupies a special place in our region and in our hearts. Please be assured that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago will always stand ready to support the people of Venezuela whenever they are confronted by natural disasters or humanitarian challenges requiring assistance.

In moments of adversity, our shared geography, history and ties of friendship call upon us to act with compassion, solidarity and practical support.

Madam President, I wish to assure you that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago remains deeply committed to working closely with you and your Government to ensure that Venezuela emerges from this tragedy stronger than ever, and that the bilateral relationship between our two countries continues to grow and prosper.

My Government looks forward to partnering with the interim Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in the interests of the people of both nations.

Madam President, please be assured of my continued prayers and steadfast support to the Government and people of Venezuela.

Sincerely,

The Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP

Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago