Santo Domingo, DR.- President Luis Abinader responded to the Minister of the Interior of Venezuela, Diosdado Cabello, and told him that during his administration the Dominican Republic has not purchased from that nation “not even half a gallon of oil.”
During LA Semanal with the Press, the president was asked about the statements of Cabello, who urged President Abinader on Monday to pay the oil debt of $350 million dollars which, he says, the Dominican Republic has with Venezuela.
“We have not bought half a gallon of oil from Venezuela since I became President,” stated the Dominican head of state.
In this regard, the president of the Dominican Petroleum Refinery (Refidomsa), Leonardo Aguilera said that the last import of crude oil from Venezuela was made on December 12, 2015.
He also explained that the last import from Venezuela was of soft products, such as diesel, and it took place on February 20, 2017, three years before President Luis Abinader assumed power.
The official indicated that he is only limited to clarifying Luis Abinader’s management because the Venezuelan Minister of the Interior, Diosdado Cabello, referred directly to the Dominican president in office.
“We are not talking about whether it should or should not be done, nor are we talking about another administration, because that was said directly to Luis Abinader, that gentleman. So, under this administration, we are not answering for half a gallon of oil, or any product,” said Aguilera.
