The U.S. has authorized five leading oil companies, including four from Europe, to resume operations in Venezuela under close supervision by Washington. According to a document published on the U.S. Treasury Department's website, permits were granted to the following companies that maintain offices in Venezuela: Chevron, BP, Eni, Shell and Repsol. This is the most significant step by the U.S. to ease sanctions imposed on Caracas since the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro.