Venezuela Declares Trinidad PM “Persona Non Grata”

Venezuela has declared Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, persona non grata, intensifying a growing diplomatic feud over U.S. military operations in the Caribbean.

The declaration, approved by Venezuela’s National Assembly on Tuesday, bars Persad-Bissessar from entering the country and labels her as unwelcome. The move follows her vocal support for U.S. military strikes targeting suspected drug-trafficking vessels in the region.

“I have no sympathy for traffickers; the U.S. military should kill them all, violently,” Persad-Bissessar said earlier this month.

Venezuela’s government has condemned the strikes as illegal and a threat to regional peace and sovereignty. Reports indicate at least 57 people have been killed in 13 attacks so far, though no public evidence has been released linking the victims to drug trafficking.

In retaliation, Venezuela suspended a major gas deal with Trinidad and accused the island nation of aligning itself with U.S. military interests.

Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago is reportedly preparing to deport hundreds of undocumented Venezuelan migrants. While the timing has drawn attention, government officials note that the deportation plan has been in development for two months.