The Joe Biden administration will begin to ease some energy sanctions on Venezuela to encourage ongoing political discussions between President Nicolás Maduro and the opposition, two senior administration officials told CNN .
The first step, to be announced on Tuesday (17), will allow Chevron – the last major US oil company operating in Venezuela – to negotiate its license with state oil company PDVSA to continue operations in the country, officials said.
The United States has been talking for months with the Venezuelan government and the interim government of opposition leader Juan Guaidó about advances on a political agreement after Maduro’s disputed 2019 election victory, which the US did not recognize as legitimate.
The US government is also looking for ways to allow Venezuela to start producing more oil and sell it on the international market, thus reducing the world’s energy dependence on Russia, officials added to the CNN .
However, the easing of sanctions in any scope will only happen as Maduro continues with substantial discussions with the opposition.
The measures adopted by the US on Tuesday (17) were taken “in full coordination” with Guaidó and his interim government, which the US recognizes as the legitimate leadership of Venezuela, according to one of the officials.
Finally, the sources said that for sanctions relief to go further, the United States will have to see significant progress in policy discussions.
Biden reverses Trump-era policies on Cuba
The relaxation of sanctions against Venezuela comes shortly after the United States announced, this Monday (16), measures that “aim to support the Cuban people”, including the reinstatement of the Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program and the increase in services. consular services and visa processing.
“We will make it easier for families to visit their relatives in Cuba and for authorized US travelers to engage with the Cuban people, participate in meetings and conduct research,” Department spokesman Ned Price said in a statement.
Another action will be to increase the family remittance limit to $1,000 per quarter.
Source: CNN Brasil
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