February 14, New Delhi — U.S. President Donald Trump said he plans to visit Venezuela and reiterated his satisfaction with its interim leadership as his administration authorized major oil companies to operate in the country.
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued general licenses permitting global energy firms such as BP, Chevron, Shell, Eni and Repsol to carry out certain oil- and gas-related transactions under specified conditions.
Under the arrangement, revenues from oil activities are to be handled through designated accounts as part of Washington’s policy to manage the funds for Venezuela’s benefit. A separate license allows companies to negotiate potential investment deals in the country’s energy sector.
The oil industry has shown interest in Venezuela, though companies have cautioned that investment timelines depend on clear rules following expropriations by previous governments.
Meanwhile, Venezuela received more than six tonnes of medical supplies from the United States on Friday. The shipment arrived at Simon Bolívar International Airport near Caracas and was received by Venezuelan diplomat Félix Plasencia and U.S. chargé d’affaires Laura Dogu.
Dogu described it as the first such delivery of medicines, adding that more shipments are expected in the coming days.
The aid delivery comes amid bilateral agreements and a relaxation of U.S. sanctions as ties between the two countries show signs of improvement.