Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro announced on Monday the suspension of gas agreements signed with neighboring Trinidad and Tobago, in response to the latter’s hosting of a U.S. destroyer, amid escalating tensions between Caracas and Washington.

During a televised address, Maduro declared:

“In light of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s threat to turn Trinidad and Tobago into an aircraft carrier for the U.S. empire against Venezuela, I have approved a temporary measure to immediately suspend all provisions of the bilateral energy agreement.”

The suspended deal includes major gas cooperation projects and joint energy initiatives between the two countries.
The move comes as relations between Venezuela and the United States continue to deteriorate over U.S. sanctions and Washington’s support for Maduro’s political opponents.