PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC:

The Trinidad and Tobago government broke its long silence over the Venezuela oil initiative with several Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries, warning that it provides Caracas with the ability to control the region's oil supply.

Speaking at the launch of BG Trinidad and Tobago Energy Luncheon Series on Tuesday, Prime Minister Patrick Manning said that PetroCaribe initially "never acknowledged the existence of a refining industry in Trinidad and Tobago".

Port of Spain and Barbados are the only two CARICOM states not to sign the accord with Venezuela under which Caracas provides oil at concessionary prices to these Caribbean states.

Caracas is also providing a fund to Caribbean states to aid in their development under the PetroCaribe initiative.