Dominican Republic, Venezuela Weigh Direct Fuel Sales

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC · ENERGY

Santo Domingo and Caracas will explore direct sales of petroleum products between their state oil companies. Their presidents also announced new consular steps after meeting in Rome.

The Dominican Republic and Venezuela will explore direct purchases of petroleum products after their presidents met in Rome on Monday, 12 October. Luis Abinader’s office said state refiner Refidomsa and Venezuela’s PDVSA will work out the details for both governments.

The talks matter in Washington because dealings in Venezuelan oil remain subject to US sanctions rules and Treasury licences. Any Refidomsa deal with PDVSA would test those rules in a close US partner in the Caribbean.

What the Two Presidents Agreed

Abinader and acting president Delcy Rodríguez discussed direct purchases of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and AC30 paving asphalt. El Día and Acento reported the same products and the same hand-off to Refidomsa and PDVSA.

Abinader announced the opening of a Dominican consulate in Venezuela to serve citizens of both countries, the presidency said. Rodríguez said Venezuela’s consular office in Santo Domingo will soon have a designated consul, El Día and Acento also reported.

A Meeting on the Sidelines of the FAO Forum

The meeting took place at the headquarters of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) during the World Food Forum 2026. Both presidents brought delegations and answered questions from reporters afterwards, according to the presidency and N Digital.

Rodríguez congratulated Abinader on his FAO speech, in which he highlighted the Dominican Republic’s official exit from the FAO Hunger Map. She also thanked Dominican rescuers and doctors who, she said, were among the first to arrive after Venezuela’s recent earthquake.

N Digital called the meeting a new high-level rapprochement after the diplomatic tensions that followed Venezuela’s July 2024 presidential election. It said the talks come amid steps announced during 2026 toward a gradual normalisation of relations.

Rodríguez was in Rome to launch a national food plan at the FAO the same day. Abinader is presenting his government’s record on farming and hunger at the forum.

Why It Matters for the US

The US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued General License 46 on 29 January 2026, authorising certain activities involving Venezuelan-origin oil. OFAC also removed Rodríguez herself from its Specially Designated Nationals list on 1 April 2026.

The Dominican Republic is one of Washington’s closest partners in the Caribbean and relies on imported fuel. A new supply channel from Venezuela would touch both its energy bill and its standing with US regulators.

What It Means for You

For US fuel exporters, a Venezuelan supply line into the Dominican market could mean new competition close to home. For now, it is a plan for talks between two state companies, not a contract.

For Venezuelans living in the Dominican Republic, a designated consul in Santo Domingo would mean a working office for papers and requests. Dominicans in Venezuela would gain the same once their country’s consulate there opens.

What Is Not Known

The presidency gave no volumes, prices, terms or timeline for the purchases, and Acento noted the same gap. It also gave no opening date for the Dominican consulate.

No joint declaration or signed agreement was released, N Digital reported. Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry readout omitted fuel, and neither side said how a PDVSA deal would fit US sanctions rules.

What Comes Next

Refidomsa and PDVSA are next in line, as both governments told them to carry the purchase talks forward. Venezuela still has to name its consul in Santo Domingo, and Rodríguez said only that this would happen soon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the Dominican Republic and Venezuela agree in Rome?

Their presidents said the state firms Refidomsa and PDVSA will discuss direct purchases of AC30 asphalt and liquefied petroleum gas. They also announced a Dominican consulate in Venezuela and a Venezuelan consul for Santo Domingo.

Where did the two presidents meet?

They met at FAO headquarters in Rome during the World Food Forum 2026. Both brought delegations and took questions from reporters afterwards.

Is there a signed fuel deal?

No, the presidency announced only talks, with no volumes, prices or timetable. No joint declaration or signed agreement was released.

Why does the US matter here?

Venezuelan oil trade is shaped by US sanctions, and a Treasury general licence has authorised certain Venezuelan-origin oil activities since 29 January. Neither government explained how a sale by PDVSA would fit those rules.

Sources: Presidencia de la República Dominicana; US Treasury, OFAC General License 46; OFAC, Venezuela-related designation removal; Venezuelan Foreign Ministry; El Día; Acento; N Digital (all accessed 12 October 2026).