Venezuela insists Dominican Republic owes $350 million

Venezuela.- Venezuela’s Vice President, Delcy Rodríguez, has reiterated that the Dominican Republic owes $350 million for past oil purchases and called on President Luis Abinader to settle the debt without delay. In a message on Telegram, Rodríguez criticized the Dominican government’s stance, accusing Abinader of aligning with the United States and demanding immediate payment of the debt. Rodríguez’s statement follows a claim by Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello that the Dominican Republic has not met its obligations.

President Abinader, however, rejected the accusations, stating that since his term began, the country has not imported any oil from Venezuela. He emphasized during a press conference that no Venezuelan oil imports have been made during his administration, with the last significant transaction occurring in 2015 and a minor diesel import in 2017, prior to his presidency. Leonardo Aguilera, president of the Dominican Petroleum Refinery, also confirmed that no agreements have been reached with Venezuela in recent years.

Diplomatic relations between the two nations have been strained since July when Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro recalled diplomats from the Dominican Republic and other countries following their criticism of Venezuela’s electoral process. Tensions escalated further after the U.S. seized a plane in the Dominican Republic, claiming it was illegally purchased and used by Maduro’s government.