US: Venezuela Gives Gold to Iran in Exchange for Oil Assistance
A US government official said on Thursday, April 31, that Venezuela is likely giving gold to Tehran in exchange for Iran’s assistance in repairing and reconstructing the country’s oil industry.
According to France Press news agency, Elliott Abrams, the US State Department’s special representative for Venezuelan affairs, speaking at the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank in Washington, stated that Iran has been sending increasing numbers of aircraft to the South American country this week.
The US special representative for Venezuelan affairs added that their assumption is that they (Venezuela) are receiving gold in return for this.
Elliott Abrams continued by saying: These aircraft that go from Iran to (Venezuela) carry equipment for the oil industry (of this country) and in return for these services, gold is sent back.
The US government official referred to Iran’s role in supporting Nicholas Maduro’s government and said that the type of Iranian support differs from Chinese and Russian support for Venezuela’s government.
He added: The reason for raising this issue was not only to show that Iran is playing an increasingly larger role, but the matter is about receiving cash payment.
Elliott Abrams says Nicholas Maduro requested more loans from China and Russia last year, but has not received a single cent so far.
Informed sources also told Bloomberg news agency that the Venezuelan government sent 9 tons of gold, equivalent to $500 million, by plane to Tehran in exchange for Iranian assistance in launching the country’s paralyzed refineries.
In this regard, Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State, asked countries around the world yesterday to close their airspace to flights of Iran’s Mahan Air.
Mike Pompeo had said: These flights must be stopped and countries should not allow Mahan Air aircraft to pass through their airspace, just as many countries have revoked landing permits for this airline.
The Donald Trump administration has placed Nicholas Maduro’s government under “maximum pressure” over the past year to step down in favor of Juan Guaidó, the leader of Venezuela’s opposition.
The US and European countries say that Nicholas Maduro remained in power in 2018 while preventing his opponents from participating in the electoral process. Juan Guaidó has been recognized by the United States and more than 50 other countries as the legitimate president of Venezuela.
Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported last week that with increased US pressure on Nicholas Maduro’s government, he sought Iranian assistance to produce gasoline and Tehran sent refinery materials to this country.
The news agency wrote, citing its sources, that Mr. Maduro turned to Iran to prevent fuel shortages in this South American country that has oil reserves.
Source: Radio Farda
