The Donald Trump administration has signaled its willingness to allow India to purchase Venezuelan oil under a new U.S.-controlled framework for exporting and marketing the country's crude, according to a senior White House official speaking to IANS. This development comes amid ongoing U.S. pressure on New Delhi to reduce its dependence on Russian crude imports, which has been a point of contention since the Ukraine conflict began. The offer follows a recent agreement between Caracas and Washington to export up to $2 billion worth of Venezuelan oil—equivalent to 30–50 million barrels—from existing storage, following the U.S. capture of former President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026.
U.S. Energy Secretary Christopher Wright confirmed the administration's openness to selling Venezuelan crude to a wide range of buyers, stating in a Fox Business interview that the oil would be allowed to flow again but only through a structure designed and overseen by the U.S. government. “So that oil, we're allowing it to flow. Again, it's marketed by the United States government. The money's going to flow into accounts,” Wright explained, adding that proceeds would be directed back to Venezuela in ways that “benefit the Venezuelan people, not corruption, not the regime.” He further noted strong global interest in Venezuelan crude, including from refiners in Europe, Asia, and elsewhere, emphasizing that sales would not be restricted to a narrow group of countries.
The policy positions the United States as the central authority in all Venezuelan oil transactions, with Wright describing it as leverage to end alleged criminal activity and destabilizing behavior linked to the previous Venezuelan leadership. “You can sell oil together with the United States, or you can not sell oil,” he said, underscoring strict enforcement. Recent U.S. seizures of sanctioned oil tankers have demonstrated that only “legitimate and lawful energy commerce,” as determined by Washington, will be permitted. The administration plans to begin by marketing 30–50 million barrels from storage, followed by ongoing sales of future production, while also facilitating diluent supplies and equipment imports to stabilize and eventually increase output.
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India was historically one of the largest buyers of Venezuelan crude before U.S. sanctions severely curtailed trade in the early 2010s. The South Asian nation’s complex refineries are well-suited to process Venezuela’s heavy crude, making renewed access potentially attractive for diversifying energy imports amid rising domestic demand. The proposal could offer India an alternative to Russian oil, which has become a major source since Western sanctions on Moscow intensified. However, any purchases would need to comply with the U.S.-overseen mechanism, including revenue flows into American-controlled accounts.
The Trump administration’s approach reflects a broader strategy to reshape Venezuela’s oil sector while maintaining sanctions enforcement and promoting U.S.-aligned energy trade. Wright highlighted active discussions with international oil companies interested in returning to Venezuela, focusing on conditions that would attract investment and stabilize production. While the offer to India remains at the discussion stage, it signals a potential shift in global oil trade dynamics, particularly for major importers seeking alternatives amid geopolitical tensions.
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