US Ready To Sell Venezuelan Oil To India Amid Strained Ties: White House

Last Updated:January 10, 2026, 08:34 IST

The statement also comes at a time when the ties between New Delhi and Washington are going through a dry spell following the US's steep 50 per cent tariffs against Indian goods.

US President Donald Trump (File photo)

The White House has stated that it is prepared to allow India to buy Venezuelan oil under a new US-controlled framework, a senior Trump administration official said, signalling the revival of a potential trade halted by American sanctions.

When asked directly whether Washington was ready to let India purchase Venezuelan oil, given its vast and growing energy requirements, the response was candid. “Yes", the official told news agency IANS.

He also highlighted that finer details were being worked out. The official also pointed to recent remarks by US Energy Secretary Christopher Wright, who had stated that the United States would be open to selling Venezuelan oil to “almost all countries".

The remarks follow the US military’s capture of Venezuela and transfer of President Nicolas Maduro from Caracas to the US over allegations linked to the smuggling of narcotics – a dramatic development that has grabbed global attention.

The statement also comes at a time when the ties between New Delhi and Washington are going through a dry spell following the Trump administration’s steep 50 per cent tariffs against Indian goods.

US to sell 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil

US President Donald Trump has said that Washington will refine and sell up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude oil under a new arrangement.

“Venezuela is going to be very successful," Trump said, adding, “We’re taking back what was taken from us,".

Trump also outlined that oil companies would invest “at least USD 100 billion of their money" into Venezuela, as the US seeks to revive production in a country that is known for holding the world’s largest oil reserves. However, reports have mentioned that the whole oil industry of Venezuela has been crippled by years of mismanagement and sanctions.

The US President clearly indicated that Washington would control the reopening of Venezuela’s oil sectors. The Latin American country possesses millions of barrels of oil stored in onshore storage tanks and vessels due to sanctions and logistical complications.

Meanwhile, as per the plan outlined earlier this week, Venezuela would sell between 30 million and 50 million barrels of sanctioned crude to Washington, Trump had said.

With inputs from agencies

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