Palm beach: US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that India will now procure oil from Venezuela rather than Iran. He also indicated that China is welcome to purchase Venezuelan oil. "We've already made a deal. India is coming in, and they're going to be buying Venezuelan oil, as opposed to buying it from Iran. So, we've already made that deal, the concept of the deal, but China is welcome to come in and buy oil," Trump stated while aboard Air Force One en route to Palm Beach, Florida.
According to Anadolu Agency, Trump's comments followed a recent agreement between India and Venezuela to "further deepen and expand bilateral partnership," as noted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi had discussed the matter with Delcy Rodriguez, the acting president of Venezuela. This development comes on the heels of a US military operation in Venezuela on January 3, during which President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were captured and brought to New York. They have pleaded not guilty to drug and weapons charges.
In the interim, Trump mentioned that his administration would oversee Venezuela and its oil assets during a transitional phase. This move is set against the backdrop of the US imposing a 50% tariff on Indian goods, which Trump justified by pointing to India's continued oil purchases from Russia.
Trump also addressed remarks by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who expressed concern over a potential humanitarian crisis in Cuba due to tightened US sanctions. Trump countered by suggesting that Cuba could avoid such a crisis by negotiating with the US. "I think they probably would come to us. Cuba would be free again. They'll come to us. They'll make a deal," he remarked.
On the subject of Iran, Trump noted ongoing discussions between Tehran and the US, expressing hope for a satisfactory outcome. He hinted at the presence of "very big, powerful ships" heading towards Iran, underscoring the seriousness of the negotiations. "Some people think that some people don't make a negotiated deal that would be satisfactory with no nuclear weapons, and said they should do that, but I don't know that they will. But they are talking to us, seriously talking to us," Trump concluded.