Frequently Asked Questions

519. How can I help the Venezuelan people while making sure to abide by the U.S. sanctions?

519 … While E.O. 13884 blocks all property and interests in property of the Government of Venezuela that come into the possession or control of U.S. persons or U.S. jurisdiction, the Venezuelan people are not subject to comprehensive U.S. sanctions. Sanctions do not preclude U.S. persons from… Read more

520. Do I need a specific license from OFAC to send U.S.-origin food or medicine to Venezuela?

520 … No, as long as your transaction or other dealing does not involve property or interests in property of a Specially Designated National. That said, you should make sure that your proposed export is authorized by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security ("BIS") , which… Read more

521. I want to provide long-term financing to the Government of Venezuela to help with the exportation or reexportation of agricultural commodities, medicine, medical devices, components, or replacement parts and components for medical devices to Venezuela. Is that allowed?

521 … Yes. General License 4 authorizes all financing and other dealings in new debt related to the exportation or reexportation of agricultural commodities, medicine, medical devices, components, or replacement parts for medical devices, to Venezuela, or to persons in third countries purchasing… Read more

522. Other than through the existing general licenses, under what circumstances might U.S. persons be authorized to deal in new debt of greater than 30 or 90 days issued by the Government of Venezuela?

522 … In the Lima Declaration of August 8, 2017, 12 countries across the Americas refused to recognize the Constituent Assembly or the laws it adopts because of its illegitimate nature, while at the same time fully backing the democratically elected IV Venezuelan National Assembly seated on January… Read more

523. The Venezuela Government International Bond issued on December 29, 2016 (ISIN USP97475AQ39, CUSIP AM1108092) is not included in the Annex to General License 3. Is that intentional? Did OFAC intentionally exclude any other bonds from the Annex?

523 … OFAC intentionally excluded the Venezuela Government International Bond issued on December 29, 2016 (ISIN USP97475AQ39, CUSIP AM1108092) (“the 2036 bond”) from the Annex to General License 3 because available information indicates that the Government of Venezuela is both the bond’s issuer and… Read more

524. I would like to engage in derivatives transactions, including credit default swaps, related to a reference bond that is in the Annex to General License 3. Is that permitted?

524 … Paragraphs (a) and (b) of General License 3 (this content is no longer available) authorize all transactions related to, the provision of financing for, and other dealings in bonds that are either listed in the Annex to General License 3 or that were issued both (i) prior to August 25, 2017,… Read more

659. Does Venezuela-related General License 12 authorize U.S. persons to export goods, services, and technology from the United States to Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA) or any entity in which it owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest during the wind-down period?

659 … General License 12 authorizes, until 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time, February 27, 2019, all transactions and activities that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the wind down of operations, contracts, or other agreements that were in effect prior to January 28, 2019. This… Read more

660. When will sanctions be lifted on Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA) or any entity in which PdVSA owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest?

660 … The path to sanctions relief for PdVSA and its subsidiaries is through the expeditious transfer of control of the company to a democratically elected government that is committed to taking concrete and meaningful actions to combat corruption, restore democracy, and respect human rights. A… Read more

658. Can U.S. persons purchase, or engage in other transactions including swaps and non-cash transactions involving the purchase or exchange of, petroleum and petroleum products, if Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA) or any entity in which it owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest is not directly involved in the transaction?

658 … After 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time, April 28, 2019, as described in Venezuela-related General License 7 and General License 12, any transactions (including swaps and non-cash transactions) involving the purchase or exchange of petroleum or petroleum products in which PdVSA or any entity… Read more

656. Can U.S. persons in Venezuela purchase gasoline or other refined petroleum products from Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA) or any entity in which it owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest?

656 … Yes. Venezuela-related General License 10 authorizes U.S. persons in Venezuela to purchase refined petroleum products, including gasoline, for personal, commercial, or humanitarian uses from PdVSA, or any entity in which it owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest.… Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence