US Eases Some Sanctions On Venezuela: Official

Washington, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 18th May, 2022 ) :The United States is easing some of its tough sanctions on Venezuela to encourage dialogue between President Nicolas Maduro's regime and its opponents, a senior official said Tuesday.

"The United States is undertaking a number of measures at the request of the Venezuelan interim government and the Unity platform of opposition parties negotiating with the Venezuelan regime, to support their decision to return to the negotiating table in Mexico City," the US official said.

One action permits US oil firm Chevron to negotiate with the state oil company PDVSA on the terms of any future activities in Venezuela, the official added.

Venezuela's Vice-President Delcy Rodriguez said on Twitter that the decision "has authorized American and European oil companies to negotiate and restart operations in Venezuela." But she added that the South American country's ultimate goal is for this move to "begin the path towards the complete lifting of these illegal sanctions that affect our entire population." The US official said another step to ease sanctions would be announced imminently.

After a political stalemate of three years that has seen economic and social conditions in Venezuela drastically deteriorate, Washington wants to encourage Maduro's regime to negotiate with his opponents.

They include opposition parties and the "interim government" led by Juan Guaido, which has been recognized by nearly 60 countries, including the United States, as the legitimate government since 2019.

Despite international support, Guaido's side has not been able to oust Maduro.

The US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the easing of sanctions was underway at the request of the Guaido-led interim government and was directly tied to an agreement of both sides to return to talks.

"The United States supports a peaceful and negotiated outcome to the Venezuelan political and economic and humanitarian crisis," the official said.

The two Venezuelan sides met to discuss "future plans" in the wake of the announcement later Tuesday.

The heads of both delegations -- Jorge Rodriguez representing Maduro and head of the opposition team Gerardo Blyde -- both tweeted a photo of them shaking hands accompanied by the same message: "In a working meeting for future plans. To revive the spirit of Mexico."