Trump Venezuela Claim: India is set to redirect its oil imports from Iran to Venezuela, according to a January 31, 2026, statement by former US President Donald Trump. Trump, speaking on Air Force One, highlighted this strategic shift in India’s energy sourcing amid ongoing US sanctions against Iran.
Trump asserted that India would now purchase Venezuelan oil, a move he claimed was facilitated by US diplomatic efforts. This development follows India’s reduced oil imports from Iran, which were previously significant before the imposition of US sanctions.
In a related development, Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, engaged in a telephonic conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 30, 2026. The leaders discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including energy and trade.
This contact marks the first high-level interaction between India and Venezuela since the US military intervention in Caracas and the subsequent detention of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Rodríguez’s outreach to Modi underscores the potential for strengthened India-Venezuela relations in the coming years.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, February 1st, 2026
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