Trump Says India to Shift Oil Imports From Iran to Venezuela

ISTANBUL

US President Donald Trump said Saturday that India will begin purchasing oil from Venezuela instead of Iran, claiming an understanding has already been reached. He added that China is also free to buy Venezuelan oil.

Speaking aboard Air Force One en route to Palm Beach, Florida, Trump said India’s shift would move its oil imports away from Iran and toward Venezuela, while welcoming Chinese participation in Venezuelan energy purchases.

The comments came a day after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodríguez, with both sides agreeing to deepen and expand bilateral ties.

Earlier this month, the US carried out a military operation in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and transferring them to New York, where they pleaded not guilty to drug and weapons charges. Trump said the US would oversee Venezuela and its oil assets during a transitional period.

The remarks follow Washington’s decision to impose 50% tariffs on Indian goods, citing New Delhi’s continued oil imports from Russia.

Trump also responded to comments by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Cuba after tighter US sanctions on countries supplying oil to the island. Trump dismissed the concern, saying a crisis was not inevitable and suggesting Cuba could strike a deal with Washington.

On Iran, Trump said negotiations with Tehran are ongoing, adding that he hopes talks will lead to an agreement acceptable to the US, particularly on nuclear issues.