Venezuela confirms sending oil to Syria

"(AFP)- Venezuela's oil minister confirmed that it sent two shipments of diesel to Syria last year and said it would send further supplies "when required" despite Western-led sanctions....  Venezuelan Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez, who also heads state-run oil company PDVSA, said Monday that the country had sent two shipments of diesel to Syria last year, without providing further details.

Caracas has been critical of sanctions against both Syria and Iran, with which it has forged closer political and economic ties in recent years..."