PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Aug 14, CMC -The Trinidad and Tobago government says its oil agreement with Venezuela over the development of the Loran–Manatee natural gas field which is located on the continental shelf of the Atlantic Ocean, will go ahead regardless of the current political situation in the South American country.
The head of the National Electoral Council (CNE), Elvis Amoroso said that with 80 per cent of ballots counted, President Nicolas Maduro had 51 per cent of the vote, compared to 44 per cent for his main rival.
The Venezuelan opposition dismissed the CNE’s announcement as fraudulent and promised to challenge the result. It said its candidate, Edmundo González, had won with 70 per cent of the votes and insisted he was the rightful president-elect.
Many western countries, including the United States and Europe have also disputed the results of the polls and have called for transparency in the process.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries are divided on the issue with the seven-member Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) congratulating Maduro, while Trinidad and Tobago has said it is awaiting the final official results of the poll.
(Details in Business section)
CMC/2024