(CNN)The Biden administration will begin to ease some energy sanctions on Venezuela to encourage ongoing political discussions between President Nicolas Maduro and the opposition, two senior administration officials told CNN.

 

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 13: President Donald Trump's motorcade arrives at the White House on May 13, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images)

(CNN)The Biden administration will begin to ease some energy sanctions on Venezuela to encourage ongoing political discussions between President Nicolas Maduro and the opposition, two senior administration officials told CNN.

The first step, to be announced on Tuesday, will allow Chevron -- the last major US oil company still operating in Venezuela -- to negotiate its license with state-owned oil company PDVSA to continue operations in the country, the officials said.

The US has for months been in talks with the Venezuelan government and the interim administration of opposition leader Juan Guaidó about moving toward a political settlement following Maduro's contested election victory in 2019, which the US did not recognize as legitimat