A major environmental crisis is unfolding in the Caribbean after Trinidad and Tobago’s government confirmed a weeks-long fuel oil leak from a capsized barge near Tobago’s coast. The spill – now drifting toward neighboring countries – has triggered urgent cleanup efforts and raised questions about its origin. 🛢️
The Leak’s Growing Impact
The spill, first spotted on February 7, has stained Tobago’s coastline, disrupted fishing, and threatened tourism hotspots. Grenada’s waters have also been affected. Authorities are racing to shield Tobago’s southwest beaches, a tourism lifeline, using containment booms and skimmers. 🏖️→💔
What’s Leaking?
Tests identified the substance as intermediate fuel oil – a heavy-duty bunker fuel used in ship engines. While the leak’s flow has slowed, Tobago emergency chief Allan Stewart warned the barge initially carried up to 35,000 barrels of the pollutant. 🌐
Mystery Origins: Panama, Guyana… or Venezuela?
Officials say the barge sailed from Panama to Guyana, but satellite imagery reviewed by Bellingcat suggests it was near Venezuela’s coast days before the spill. Venezuela denies any connection. 🔍 “The barge began leaking oil as early as February 3,” Bellingcat reported, adding it capsized by February 6.
Regional Alarm Bells
With the spill unplugged for over three weeks, Caribbean nations are on high alert. The incident highlights the fragile balance between marine ecosystems and global energy transport – a wake-up call for coastal communities worldwide. 🐠🚨
