The move reverses Trump's withdrawal of a permit earlier this year, and could draw criticism from Venezuelans in Florida who fled the Maduro regime.

The United States is preparing to grant new authorizations to key partners of Venezuela's state-run PDVSA, starting with Chevron , to allow them to operate with limitations in the sanctioned OPEC nation and swap oil,

The decision follows negotiations that led to the release of 10 American prisoners in the county.