US eases sanctions against Venezuela to promote political dialogue

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After easing restrictions previously imposed on Cuba, the United States announced on Tuesday (17) the easing of some sanctions against Venezuela under Nicolás Maduro.

According to the AFP agency, which quoted a senior US government official, the purpose of the easing of restrictions is to promote political dialogue between the Venezuelan dictatorship and the government of Joe Biden.

He told reporters that he hoped that one of the main consequences of the announcement would be to encourage the resumption of negotiations between the dictatorship and the opposition in Mexico, under the mediation of Norway.

To the Associated Press, two officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said the changes will allow US energy company Chevron Corp to negotiate with state oil company PDVSA — but not export Venezuelan oil.

In addition, Carlos Erik Malpica-Flores, a former high-ranking PDVSA official and nephew of Venezuela’s first lady, will be removed from a list of sanctioned individuals, even though dozens of citizens of the Latin American country follow.

The American network CNN, also mentioning authorities on condition of anonymity, reported that the US also aims to promote measures that allow Venezuela to produce more oil and sell the fuel on the international market, in order to reduce the country’s dependence on Russia. .​

The measure comes just weeks before the Summit of the Americas, a meeting of the continent’s leaders that is scheduled for early June. US officials have indicated that the event may prioritize democratic regimes, cutting off the official Cuban, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan delegations from the list, although the leftist governments of Mexico and Bolivia have conditioned their participation to these invitations.

The meeting, however, will feature a representative from Venezuela appointed by self-proclaimed President Juan Guaidó — whom Washington considers the legitimate government.

Regarding Cuba, on Monday (16), the US reported measures that, in practice, facilitate, among other things, the remittance of dollars from Cubans living in the US to their relatives on the island.

The State Department, responsible for US diplomacy, said the country will suspend the limit on remittances to family members, previously set at US$ 1,000 per quarter. Washington will also allow Cubans living in the country to send donations to people on the island who are not related.

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