The United States has announced a partial easing of sanctions on Venezuela, clearing the way for Venezuelan oil to re-enter global markets in a major policy shift with far-reaching geopolitical and energy implications.
The US Department of Energy said the move will allow Venezuelan crude to be transported and sold internationally, although it did not specify which sanctions will be lifted or when the changes will take effect.
Several oil tankers currently involved in shipping Venezuelan crude remain under US sanctions, dw.com reports.
In a statement, the department confirmed that the United States has already begun selling Venezuelan oil. Proceeds from the initial sales will be deposited into US-controlled accounts at internationally recognized banks.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the sales would not be limited in scope or duration. Speaking at an energy conference, he said the US would first sell the stockpiled crude currently stored in Venezuela and then continue to market the country’s ongoing production indefinitely.
“We’re going to market the crude coming out of Venezuela — first this backed-up stored oil, and then indefinitely, going forward, we will sell the production that comes out of Venezuela into the marketplace,” Wright said.
The move follows an announcement by President Donald Trump unveiling plans to refine and sell up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil that had been stranded due to the US blockade.
At the White House, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Washington is selectively rolling back sanctions on Venezuela and that President Trump will meet US oil executives on Friday to discuss plans for the Venezuelan oil sector. She described the opportunities for American companies as “immense”.
Leavitt also said the United States has “maximum leverage” over Venezuela’s interim authorities following the capture of Nicolas Maduro, adding that Washington will continue to dictate key decisions.
“We’re continuing to coordinate closely with the interim authorities, and their decisions will continue to be dictated by the United States of America,” she said.
In parallel developments, the White House confirmed that the crew of a Russian-flagged oil tanker seized by US forces in the Atlantic Ocean is subject to prosecution. Leavitt said the vessel was operating under a false flag, had been deemed stateless, and was seized under a judicial order.
She added that the crew could be brought to the United States for prosecution for any applicable federal law violations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined a three-step plan for Venezuela, beginning with stabilization following Maduro’s capture, followed by a recovery phase to ensure access for American, Western and other companies, and finally a political transition.
He said the strategy aims to prevent chaos, rebuild civil society, facilitate national reconciliation, and enable the return and release of opposition figures.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Foreign Ministry demanded humane treatment for its citizens believed to be among the seized tanker’s crew, calling on the United States to respect their rights and ensure their swift return.
The UK Ministry of Defense confirmed that Britain provided operational and surveillance support to the US during the tanker seizure, which Defense Secretary John Healey said targeted a vessel linked to Russian and Iranian sanctions-evasion networks.
The unfolding developments underscore a dramatic escalation in US involvement in Venezuela’s energy sector, reshaping global oil flows while tightening pressure on rival powers and sanctions-busting networks.
