Venezuela rejects claims of oil exports to 'Israel'
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- Venezuelan official calls claims of oil exports to 'Israel' “false news.”
- Caracas maintains longstanding diplomatic break with 'Israel' and support for Palestinians.
Venezuela’s Vice President for Communications and Culture, Miguel Ángel Pérez Perilla, firmly denied media reports suggesting that Caracas sent an oil shipment to 'Israel'.
Read more: Venezuela sends first crude oil shipment to ‘Israel’ since 2020: Bloomberg
“All of these reports are baseless,” Pérez Perilla said in a post on his official Telegram channel, describing the news as “fake.”
Details and company responses
Media outlets had claimed, citing analysis firms and private sources, that Venezuela sent oil to Bazan Group, the largest refinery operated under 'Israel’s' authority, marking the first shipment since 2020.
Bazan Group declined to comment, while 'Israel’s' Energy Ministry refused to disclose crude supply sources, reinforcing Venezuela’s denial.
Historical context
The firm denial aligns with Venezuela’s long-standing political stance toward 'Israel'. Diplomatic relations have been fully severed since January 2009, under President Hugo Chávez, in protest of the military operation in Gaza known as “Operation Cast Lead”.
Read more: US considers seizing Iranian oil tankers to ramp up pressure on Tehran: WSJ
Venezuela expelled the 'Israel' ambassador at the time and ceased all official dealings, with Canada representing 'Israel’s' interests in Caracas, and Spain handling Venezuelan interests in 'Israel'.
Pérez Perilla’s statement reaffirms Venezuela’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and rejection of any cooperation with 'Israel', despite international pressures and fluctuations in global energy markets.
