Kamla Persad-Bissessar RESPONDS To Venezuela Declaring Her ‘Persona Non Grata’

Prime Minister the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, SC, MP, is dismissing Venezuela’s move to declare her “persona non grata” (A Latin phrase meaning “unwelcome person.” Legally, it refers to the practice of a State prohibiting a diplomat from entering the country as a diplomat). Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar has called it “a useless declaration” and insists “it has no effect on my life.”

Venezuela’s National Assembly made the declaration on Tuesday (28th October, 2025), accusing Persad-Bissessar‘s Government of supporting United States military aggression against the Bolivarian Republic.

During a heated Parliamentary session, lawmakers voted unanimously under Article 111 of Venezuela’s Constitution to impose the ban and to endorse President Nicolás Maduro’s decision to suspend all energy agreements with Trinidad and Tobago.

National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez described the decision as “a matter of honour, dignity, morality, and respect,” accusing Persad-Bissessar of betraying regional solidarity. He claimed it was unacceptable to maintain an agreement that “favours Trinidad and Tobago if Trinidad and Tobago has become an agent of aggression against Venezuela.”

Despite his harsh words, Rodríguez insisted Venezuela still “loves the people of Trinidad and Tobago” and seeks to maintain peace within the Caribbean.

The decision follows heightened tensions resulting from the recent docking of the USS Gravely, a U.S. Navy destroyer, in Trinidad and Tobago. Venezuela has accused both the United States and T&T of plotting to invade its territory — an allegation T&T has firmly denied.

In her response to the declaration, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar questioned why Venezuelan authorities are targeting her personally rather than U.S. President Donald Trump, pointing out that the warships involved in recent drug interdiction exercises are American property.

See her comments to the media below:

“Venezuelans are fleeing Venezuela by the millions so why would they think I would want to go there? This is a useless declaration, it has no effect on my life.

This just continues their pattern of attempting to bully their smaller neighbors while simultaneously crying for peace with more powerful countries.

The warships engaged in the drug interdiction exercises are American property, why isn’t Maduro and the rest of the Venezuelan Government calling President Trump's name? 

Why aren’t they making declarations of persona non grata against him? The answer is obvious. They should call President Trump's name, he is the commander of those warships.

My Government will continue supporting drug interdiction exercises against narco traffickers in international waters.

Over 10,000 murders in the last 20 years in addition to thousands of violent crimes being committed cannot be chalked up to a gimmick public health emergency.  It is a crisis that needs aggressive intervention.”

More on this as it becomes available.

This is a developing story - refresh this page for updates.

[Sources: CNC3 | Ian Alleyne]