By ANASTACIO ALEGRIA
**Washington / Caracas, February 11, 2026 (IPU NEWS)**
The United States issued a set of **new licenses on Tuesday allowing US companies to participate in oil, port, and airport operations in Venezuela**, a move that maintains key sanctions against the government of Nicolás Maduro.
The **Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)** of the Treasury Department announced three general licenses—46A, 48, and 30B—authorizing limited **marketing, transportation, refining, and service activities in the Venezuelan energy sector**, as well as transactions necessary for the operation of ports and airports.
General License 46A allows U.S. companies to participate in the export and sale of Venezuelan crude oil, including storage and shipping services, under contracts governed by U.S. law. However, transactions with entities linked to Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba remain prohibited, as do any transactions involving the blocked funds of the Venezuelan regime or PDVSA.
General License 48 authorizes the provision of goods, technology, and services for the exploration, production, and maintenance of the oil industry in Venezuela, while General License 30B permits operations essential for the management of ports and airports, including logistics and transportation services.
“The objective of these licenses is to allow some commercial flexibility without compromising pressure on the Venezuelan regime or international sanctions standards,” said a Treasury Department spokesperson.
Experts say the measures represent a limited step toward economic opening, at a time when Venezuela's oil production continues to be hampered by a lack of investment and deteriorating infrastructure. "Although commercial transactions are now permitted, the full recovery of Venezuela's energy sector will depend on political stability and the ability to attract international investors," said Luis Salamanca, an energy analyst in Caracas.
The licenses come amid U.S. efforts to regulate and oversee the participation of U.S. companies in risky markets, while sanctions remain in place targeting individuals and entities linked to the Maduro government and sanctioned countries.
So far, U.S. energy companies will carefully evaluate these opportunities, which include crude oil refining and the provision of logistics services, under Treasury oversight and subject to periodic compliance reports.
IPU NEWS was unable to obtain immediate comment from PDVSA or Venezuelan government representatives regarding the new licenses.
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