WASHINGTON – The United States has eased sanctions on Venezuela again, allowing the South American country to sell oil and fertilizers to American companies in an effort to stabilize global energy and agricultural markets.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued updated general licenses expanding permitted investments and activities in Venezuela’s energy sector. The new measures also allow Venezuelan fertilizers to be exported directly to the United States, partly to support American farmers facing rising agricultural costs.
According to U.S. officials, the policy change is intended to increase global supplies of energy and key agricultural inputs at a time when international markets are under pressure from geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions.
The licenses expand the range of activities U.S. companies can undertake in Venezuela’s oil and petrochemical sectors, including certain investments and infrastructure support.
Washington says the move is also aimed at helping revive Venezuela’s struggling energy sector, which holds some of the world’s largest oil reserves but has suffered years of decline due to economic mismanagement, political instability and international sanctions.
Sanctions against Venezuela were originally imposed in response to political tensions, allegations of electoral fraud and accusations of human rights violations during the presidency of Nicolás Maduro.
In recent months, however, the United States has gradually adjusted its policy, issuing several licenses that allow limited commercial activity involving Venezuelan oil and related industries while maintaining broader sanctions against the Venezuelan government and certain individuals.
Analysts say the latest move reflects a balancing act by Washington: attempting to ease pressure on global commodity markets while maintaining political leverage over Venezuela.