Secretary of State Vows to Work to Find Solution on Venezuelan Oil Sanctions

Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Stuart Young that he will work very closely with Young's administration "to find a solution that achieves U.S. objectives regarding Venezuela without harming Trinidad and Tobago."

The Caribbean nation has a joint venture for offshore natural gas exploration with Venezuela; according to Reuters, the U.S. revoked licenses for those projects earlier in April.

The State Department said last week that Rubio "recognized that energy security is important to Trinidad and Tobago’s prosperity and economy. Any outcomes of sanctions upon the Maduro regime and Venezuela is in no way indicative of our relationship with Trinidad and Tobago and the value we place on it."

The statement added: "He welcomed Prime Minister Young’s exploration of viable options that support the country’s energy needs while remaining consistent with U.S. sanctions policy."