Amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Dr Keith Rowley met with Venezuelan Ambassador to the twin-island republic, Carlos Amador Perez Silva, on Monday (December 21).

The meeting comes days after Rowley summoned Ambassador Silva to Trinidad to discuss recent developments concerning both countries—and the Caribbean country’s position on those issues.

In a statement, the Trinidadian Office of the Prime Minister noted that among the issues discussed were matters of national security, immigration and the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

The meeting, which took place at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s, was also attended by Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister Dr Amery Browne; National Security Minister Stuart Young; and Ricardo Sánchez, Chief of the Consular Section within the Embassy of Venezuela.

The diplomatic conference follows discussions between Minister Young and Venezuelan officials to strengthen bilateral mechanisms for maritime security cooperation between both countries.

According to local reports, the discussions further outlined a framework for joint Trinbagonian-Venezuelan efforts to combat human and narcotics trafficking, migrant smuggling and other forms of transnational organised crime.