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The United States is easing some of its tough sanctions on Venezuela in order to encourage political dialogue between President Nicolas Maduro and the opposition, 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.

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

Another action to ease sanctions would be announced soon, according to the official.

All for oil

After three years of political stalemate that has seen Venezuela's economic and social conditions deteriorate dramatically due to US batches of illegal sanctions on the country, Washington’s thirst for oil pushes Biden’s administration to negotiate with his opponents.

It is worth mentioning that two US officials visited Venezuela, and shortly afterward Caracas released two detained Americans, raising hopes for a thaw in relations between the two sides and a resumption of domestic political talks.

"Very clearly, none of these alleviations of pressure would lead to an increase in revenue for the regime," the official said.

"We are going to calibrate our sanctions policy accordingly to increase pressure or alleviate pressure on the basis of ambitious concrete and irreversible outcomes that empower the Venezuelan people to determine the future of their country through democratic elections," the official added.

US thirst for Russian oil exposed that America is at odds with its policy, exerting strained efforts to find an alternative for Russian oil amid the global energy crisis.