Trinidad Says Spill Damage to Venezuela ‘Not Visible’
Trinidad and Tobago says an oil spill near the Gulf of Paria was contained, while Venezuela warns of risks to shared marine ecosystems and fishing communities.
Authorities from Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela continue assessing the environmental impact of an oil spill reported in the Gulf of Paria. Photo: EFE
May 11, 2026 Hour: 3:20 am
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Venezuela warns of environmental risks in the Gulf of Paria after an oil spill reported by Trinidad and Tobago authorities.
Authorities in Trinidad and Tobago said Sunday that an oil spill near the Gulf of Paria had been contained and was “not visible,” after the government of Venezuela raised concerns over potential environmental damage affecting shared marine areas between the two countries.
RELATED: Venezuela Warns of Environmental Damage After Oil Spill
Trinidad and Tobago Energy Minister Roodal Moonilal said the spill was detected on May 1 near a main field operated by the state-owned company Heritage, triggering emergency response protocols.
His remarks came a day after Venezuelan authorities warned of a “serious environmental impact” linked to the incident, citing preliminary technical reports indicating possible effects on marine ecosystems, coastlines and fishing communities in the Gulf of Paria.
Text Reads: Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Energy, Roodal Moonilal, assures that a hydrocarbon spill “is not visible” originating from its territory, which Venezuela claims began there
According to the Venezuelan government, assessments carried out by national authorities pointed to “severe risks to mangroves, wetlands, marine fauna and strategic hydrobiological resources essential for food security and the ecological balance of the region.”
The Spill
Moonilal said Heritage notified Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy Ministry, Coast Guard and Environmental Management Authority immediately after detecting the leak. Authorities then approved the use of chemical dispersants to contain the hydrocarbons.
“Trajectory models indicated that if left untreated, the hydrocarbon material could cross the Trinidad-Venezuela maritime boundary in the Gulf of Paria,” Moonilal said.
The minister stated that dispersants were deployed approximately six to eight nautical miles from the maritime border. According to visual assessments conducted afterward, the oil effectively disintegrated.
Officials also reported that the source of the spill was identified and isolated on the same day it was detected. Repairs were completed, and the affected system resumed operations the following day.
Moonilal estimated the spill involved approximately 10 barrels of oil. He added that Trinidadian authorities remain in communication with Venezuelan officials while local agencies continue monitoring the situation.
Environmental Concerns
The Venezuelan government said Saturday that authorities had recorded impacts on “vulnerable species and highly environmentally sensitive ecosystems.”
In a statement shared on social media by Foreign Minister Yván Gil and other officials, Caracas said the government had instructed the Foreign Ministry to immediately request all relevant information regarding the incident, including mitigation and containment measures.
Venezuela also called for compliance with international environmental law obligations and demanded urgent reparatory action in response to the reported damage.
For its part, Trinidad and Tobago’s Energy Ministry said it would continue cooperating with “all local and foreign authorities” and work with Venezuela to establish “a structured system to manage similar incidents” that could arise in the shared maritime area in the future.
