Washington, February 26 (QNA) - The United States said it will allow sales of Venezuelan oil to Cuba for commercial and humanitarian purposes, in a move that could ease the Caribbean island's acute fuel scarcity.

In a statement on Wednesday, the US Department of the Treasury said it would authorise companies seeking licences to resell Venezuelan oil for "commercial and humanitarian use in Cuba."

It said the new "favorable licensing policy" would not cover "persons or entities associated with the Cuban military, intelligence services, or other government institutions." (QNA)