Biden's Treasury Department renews Chevron's oil license to operate in Venezuela
Chevron's previous agreement was suspended by former President Trump
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The U.S. Treasury Department renewed a license Friday for Chevron to operate its oil production in Venezuela, a country sanctioned by the U.S., potentially setting up a broader license agreement later in the year.
The U.S. has previously served as Venezuela’s largest oil market but oil activity between the countries has been limited amid ongoing political turmoil between Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his opposition, Juan Guaido, who the U.S. recognizes as Venezuela's rightful leader, Reuters reported.
Under the current license, Chevron is allowed to continue to maintain its staff and operation infrastructure as well as payments on third-party invoices, local taxes and utility services.
The license allows Chevron to conduct "transactions and activities necessary for safety or the preservation of assets in Venezuela," according to the report. The oil company is also able to participate in shareholder and board meetings.
The logo of Dow Jones Industrial Average stock market index listed company Chevron (CVX) is seen in Los Angeles, California, United States, April 12, 2016. (REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/FILE / Reuters Photos)
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Venezuelan leader Nicolas Madura. (Photo by Matias Delacroix/Getty Images / Getty Images)
According to the report, U.S. officials want talks between Maduro and Guaido to advance into a cohesive governing body before any broader license will be issued.
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Chevron was previously permitted to trade oil from the South American country, from 2019 through April 2020, but a maximum pressure campaign by former U.S. President Trump to have Maduro removed ended the activity.
Jan 31, 2020 San Jose / CA / USA - Chevron gas station in south San Francisco bay area (iStock / iStock)
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Venezuelan leaders are soon expected to negotiate for free elections and the release of political prisoners, with Mexico hosting the meeting. A positive outcome of these meetings could result in restoring oil transactions between the U.S. and Venezuela.
Chevron's new license extends its current agreement through the end of November.