rki.news
Source: Xinhua

The United States has announced a limited easing of sanctions to permit the resale of Venezuelan-origin oil to Cuba’s private sector under a new licensing policy issued by the U.S. Treasury Department.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said it will adopt a “favorable licensing policy” for specific license applications authorizing third-party transactions supplying Venezuelan oil for commercial and humanitarian use in Cuba. The measure is intended to support the Cuban population and independent economic activity while maintaining restrictions on state institutions.
According to the guidance, any transactions involving or benefiting Cuba’s military, intelligence services, or government entities remain strictly prohibited. U.S. authorities emphasized that the authorization applies only to Cuba’s non-governmental sector and does not alter broader sanctions against Havana.
The policy follows Washington’s assumption of control over Venezuelan oil exports earlier this year, which halted traditional fuel shipments from Caracas to Cuba and worsened the island’s energy shortages.
U.S. officials maintain that the licensing change aims to assist the Cuban people without strengthening state structures. Analysts note that implementation will depend on commercial viability and Cuba’s capacity to finance oil purchases under market conditions.
The Treasury guidance underscores that applicants do not require a U.S. corporate presence but must demonstrate that transactions directly benefit Cuba’s private sector and humanitarian activities.