By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News |
Amid heightened geopolitical tensions following recent United States military actions against Venezuela, regional affairs analyst Mark Kirton has proposed establishing PETRO-CARICOM, a cooperative energy framework to sustain Caribbean oil economies and strengthen regional energy security.
Dr. Kirton, Director of the Centre for International and Border Studies, said the initiative would leverage the oil-producing capacity of Caribbean states such as Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago to stabilize regional supply.
The proposal comes in the wake of U.S. military strikes and the reported capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, developments that have raised alarms among foreign-policy experts about potential disruptions to critical sectors—particularly energy.
In an interview with HGPTV Nightly News, Dr. Kirton said PETRO-CARICOM could address supply vulnerabilities faced by smaller Eastern Caribbean states while advancing integration and collective resilience. He emphasized that a coordinated regional approach would enhance energy security, reduce exposure to external shocks, and foster collaboration among Caribbean producers and consumers.
The concept draws historical parallels to Petrocaribe, a 2005 initiative launched by the late Hugo Chávez, which provided subsidized oil and flexible financing to Caribbean and Central American nations. Petrocaribe supported development and eased fuel costs for member states—including Jamaica, Haiti, and Guyana—often through barter arrangements such as rice-for-oil. The alliance, however, unraveled by 2019 amid Venezuela’s production decline, U.S. sanctions, and internal governance challenges.
With oil prices fluctuating and regional sensitivities heightened, Dr. Kirton argues that peace and stability should be prioritized. He believes PETRO-CARICOM could harmonize interests among Caribbean states and, in particular, encourage Trinidad and Tobago to utilize its refining capacity as a hub for regional cooperation.
U.S. Position on Venezuelan Oil
Reports indicate that the administration of Donald Trump has pressed Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, to sever ties with China, Iran, Russia, and Cuba, seeking a more exclusive U.S. partnership on oil production. Recent statements from U.S. officials suggest an intention to facilitate Venezuelan oil sales. China has responded by asserting that its cooperation with Venezuela is legitimate, mutually beneficial, and independent of external influence.
Monroe Doctrine Debate
President Trump has also invoked the Monroe Doctrine, articulated by James Monroe, to justify U.S. actions. Originally warning European powers against interference in the Americas, the doctrine has been cited by Trump as a basis for overseeing Venezuela’s political transition until a “safe, proper and judicious” process is established.
Some foreign-policy commentators contend that this interpretation stretches the doctrine’s principles to justify control over Venezuela and access to its oil reserves. They point to United Nations norms—specifically the Charter’s prohibition on the use of force against a state’s territorial integrity or political independence, absent self-defense or Security Council authorization.
Against this backdrop, Dr. Kirton’s PETRO-CARICOM proposal arrives as a timely framework for regional cooperation—aimed at protecting Caribbean energy interests, strengthening integration, and navigating an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.
