Caracas, May 18 (IANS): Venezuela has confirmed a decision by the US to ease oil sanctions, calling for a total lifting of the American sanctions on the South American country.

"The Bolivarian Government of Venezuela has verified and confirmed the news ... that the US has authorized US and European oil companies to negotiate and restart operations in Venezuela," Xinhua news agency quoted Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as saying in a tweet.

"Venezuela hopes that these decisions by the US will pave the way to the total lifting of the illegal sanctions which affect our entire people," she said.

The Venezuelan government "will continue to tirelessly promote a fruitful dialogue at the national and international level," Rodriguez added.

In 2019, former US President Donald Trump broke off relations with Venezuela, refusing to recognize Nicolas Maduro as the Venezuelan President, and announced a series of sanctions on the country's oil, finance and trade sectors.