U.S. Treasury officials opened a door for Venezuela to tackle its debt crisis by issuing a general license that lets the country hire advisers, lawyers and bankers. The move follows President Nicolás Maduro’s ouster and signals a shift in U.S. policy toward the oil‑rich South American state. Investors now see a path toward debt restructuring.

The license authorizes Venezuela to address roughly $60 billion of defaulted bonds, part of a broader $170 billion debt load owed to global investors, including commercial lenders and oil firms. The U.S. has eased sanctions after Maduro’s fall, and the Treasury now permits the nation to engage with creditors and financial institutions that had been barred.

Rebuilding Venezuela’s oil sector could cost more than $180 billion and span over a decade, analysts say, yet the country would still produce below 1990s highs. The U.S. has urged the World Bank and IMF to re‑engage, and both institutions announced plans to work with new leader Delcy Rodriguez. Debt relief of 50 % or more may be required to attract foreign investment.

The decision opens a window for Venezuela to negotiate restructuring terms with bondholders, potentially easing cash‑flow pressures that have crippled public services. Market watchers note that a successful deal could restore confidence among Latin‑American investors and reduce the cost of borrowing in regional markets. Until a settlement materializes, Venezuela will continue to rely on U.S. oil‑revenue transfers to fund essential imports.