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OFAC has compiled hundreds of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about its sanctions programs and related policies. The link below sends the user to the entire list of OFAC's FAQs.
- Venezuela Sanctions FAQ Topic Page
- OFAC Frequently Asked Questions
- Frequently Asked Questions Related to the Suspension of Certain U.S. Sanctions with Respect to Venezuela on October 18, 2023 (Updated April 17, 2024; Superseded on March 05, 2025 by Venezuela Sanctions FAQ Topic Page)
- Frequently Asked Questions Related to the Suspension of Certain U.S. Sanctions with Respect to Venezuela on October 18, 2023 (Updated February 02, 2024)
- Frequently Asked Questions Related to the Suspension of Certain U.S. Sanctions with Respect to Venezuela on October 18, 2023 (Updated November 16, 2023)
- Frequently Asked Questions Related to the Suspension of Certain U.S. Sanctions with Respect to Venezuela on October 18, 2023
- Frequently Asked Questions 1226 through 1244
OFAC issues interpretive guidance on specific issues related to the sanctions programs it administers. These interpretations of OFAC policy are sometimes published in response to a public request for guidance or may be released proactively by OFAC in order to address a complex topic.
It may be in your and the U.S. government's interest to authorize particular economic activity related to the Venezuela-Related Sanctions. Certain activities related to the Venezuela-Related Sanctions may be allowed if they are licensed by OFAC. Visit the link below to apply for an OFAC license.
- Apply for an OFAC License Online - Authorization from OFAC to engage in a transaction that otherwise would be prohibited.
Certain activities related to the Venezuela-related Sanctions may be allowed if they are licensed by OFAC. Below OFAC has issued guidance and statements on specific licensing policies as they relate to the Venezuela-related Sanctions.
- Licenses for Legal Fees and Costs - Guidance on the Release of Limited Amounts of Blocked Funds for Payment of Legal Fees and Costs Incurred in Challenging the Blocking of U.S. Persons in Administrative or Civil Proceedings
- Entities Owned By Blocked Persons - Guidance On Entities Owned By Persons Whose Property And Interests In Property Are Blocked
- Guidance Related to the Provision of Humanitarian Assistance and Support to the Venezuelan People
OFAC issues general licenses in order to authorize activities that would otherwise be prohibited with regard to Venezuela. General licenses allow all US persons to engage in the activity described in the general license without needing to apply for a specific license.
- Venezuela General License 2A - Authorizing Certain New Debt, New Equity, and Securities Transactions Involving PDV Holding, Inc. and CITGO Holding, Inc. (August 05, 2019)
- Venezuela General License 3I - Authorizing Transactions Related to, Provision of Financing for, and Other Dealings in Certain Bonds (October 18, 2023)
- Venezuela General License 4C - Authorizing Certain New Debt Transactions and Other Transactions Involving Certain Blocked Persons Related to the Exportation or Reexportation of Agricultural Commodities, Medicine, Medical Devices, Replacement Parts and Components, or Software Updates (August 05, 2019)
- Venezuela General License 5V - Authorizing Certain Transactions Related to the Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. 2020 8.5 Percent Bond on or After May 5, 2026 (March 19, 2026)
- Venezuela General License 7C - Authorizing Certain Activities Involving PDV Holding, Inc. and CITGO Holding, Inc. (August 05, 2019)
- Venezuela General License 9H - Authorizing Transactions Related to Dealings in Certain Securities (October 18, 2023)
- Venezuela General License 10A - Authorizing the Purchase in Venezuela of Refined Petroleum Products from Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA) (August 05, 2019)
- Venezuela General License 15C - Authorizing Transactions Involving Certain Banks for Certain Entities (May 12, 2020)
- Venezuela General License 16C - Authorizing Maintenance of U.S. Person Accounts and Noncommercial, Personal Remittances involving Certain Banks (March 12, 2020)
- Venezuela General License 18A - Authorizing Certain Transactions Involving Integración Administradora de Fondos de Ahorro Previsional, S.A. (August 05, 2019)
- Venezuela General License 21 - Entries in Certain Accounts for Normal Service Charges and Payments and Transfers to Blocked Accounts in U.S. Financial Institutions Authorized (August 05, 2019)
- Venezuela General License 22 - Venezuela’s Mission to the United Nations (August 05, 2019)
- Venezuela General License 23 - Third-country Diplomatic and Consular Funds Transfers Authorized (August 05, 2019)
- Venezuela General License 24 - Certain Transactions Involving the Government of Venezuela Related to Telecommunications and Mail Authorized (August 05, 2019)
- Venezuela General License 25 - Exportation of Certain Services, Software, Hardware, and Technology Incident to the Exchange of Communications over the Internet Authorized (August 05, 2019)
- Venezuela General License 26 - Emergency and Certain Other Medical Services Authorized (August 05, 2019)
- Venezuela General License 27 - Certain Transactions Related to Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights Authorized (August 05, 2019)
- Venezuela General License 29 - Certain Transactions Involving the Government of Venezuela in Support of Certain Nongovernmental Organizations' Activities Authorized (August 05, 2019)
- Venezuela General License 30B - Authorizing Certain Transactions Necessary to Port and Airport Operations (February 10, 2026)
- Venezuela General License 31B - Certain Transactions Involving the IV Venezuelan National Assembly and Certain Other Persons (January 09, 2023)
- Venezuela General License 32 - Authorizing Certain Transactions Related to Personal Maintenance of Individuals who are U.S. Persons Residing in Venezuela (August 05, 2019)
- Venezuela General License 33 - Authorizing Overflight Payments, Emergency Landings, and Air Ambulance Services (August 05, 2019)
- Venezuela General License 34A - Authorizing Transactions Involving Certain Government of Venezuela Persons (November 05, 2019)
- Venezuela General License 35 - Authorizing Certain Administrative Transactions with the Government of Venezuela (November 05, 2019)
- Venezuela General License 40D - Authorizing the Offloading of Liquefied Petroleum Gas in Venezuela (July 07, 2025)
- Venezuela General License 42 - Authorizing Certain Transactions Related to the Negotiation of Certain Settlement Agreements with the IV Venezuelan National Assembly and Certain Other Persons (May 01, 2023)
- Venezuela General License 45B - Authorizing Certain Repatriation Transactions Involving Consorcio Venezolano de Industrias Aeronáuticas y Servicios Aéreos, S.A. (February 29, 2024)
- Venezuela General License 46B - Authorizing Certain Activities Involving Venezuelan-Origin Oil or Petrochemical Products (March 13, 2026)
- Venezuela General License 47 - Authorizing the Sale of U.S.-Origin Diluents to Venezuela (February 03, 2026)
- Venezuela General License 48A - Authorizing the Supply of Certain Items and Services to Venezuela (March 13, 2026)
- Venezuela General License 49A - Authorizing Negotiations of and Entry Into Contingent Contracts for Certain Investment in Venezuela (March 13, 2026)
- Venezuela General License 50A - Authorizing Transactions Related to Oil or Gas Sector Operations in Venezuela of Certain Entities (February 18, 2026)
- Venezuela General License 51A - Authorizing Certain Activities Involving Venezuelan-Origin Minerals, Including Gold (March 27, 2026)
- Venezuela General License 52 - Authorizing Certain Transactions Involving Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (March 18, 2026)
- Venezuela General License 53 - Official Missions of the Government of Venezuela to the United States (March 24, 2026)
- Venezuela General License 54 - Authorizing the Supply of Certain Items and Services for Minerals Operations in Venezuela (March 27, 2026)
- Venezuela General License 55 - Authorizing Negotiations of and Entry Into Contingent Contracts for Certain Investment in Venezuela's Minerals Sector (March 27, 2026)
- Archive of Expired General Licenses
OFAC releases press charts related to illicit activity in Venezuela.
- PDVSA Sanctions Evasion Network - June 2020
- Venezuela Currency Exchange Network Scheme - January 2019
The Venezuela-related Sanctions program represents the implementation of multiple legal authorities. Some of these authorities are in the form of an executive order issued by the President. Other authorities are public laws (statutes) passed by The Congress. These authorities are further codified by OFAC in its regulations which are published in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Modifications to these regulations are posted in the Federal Register.
- 14373 - Safeguarding Venezuelan Oil Revenue for the Good of the American and Venezuelan People (January 09, 2026)
- 13884 - Blocking Property of the Government of Venezuela (August 05, 2019)
- 13857 - Taking Additional Steps to Address the National Emergency With Respect to Venezuela (January 25, 2019)
- 13850 - Blocking Property of Additional Persons Contributing to the Situation in Venezuela (November 01, 2018)
- 13835 - Prohibiting Certain Additional Transactions with Respect to Venezuela (May 21, 2018)
- 13827 - Taking Additional Steps to Address the Situation in Venezuela (March 19, 2018)
- 13808 - Imposing Additional Sanctions with Respect to the Situation in Venezuela (August 24, 2017)
- 13692 - Blocking Property and Suspending Entry of Certain Persons Contributing to the Situation in Venezuela (March 08, 2015)
- 31 CFR Part 591 - Venezuela Sanctions Regulations
- 91 FR 10008-26 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General License 5T
- 90 FR 43557-25 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General License 5S
- 90 FR 43556-25 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General License 40D
- 90 FR 34598-25 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 41A, 5R, and 41B
- 89 FR 103651-24 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 5Q and 8O
- 89 FR 72986-24 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General License 5P
- 89 FR 67557-24 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General License 40C
- 89 FR 46802-24 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General License 8N
- 89 FR 35703-24 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 5O, 8M, and 44A
- 89 FR 20120-24 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General License 45B
- 89 FR 16452-24 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General License 43A
- 89 FR 13271-24 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General License 5N
- 89 FR 3353-24 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General License 45A
- 88 FR 76991-23 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 3I, 5M, 9H, 43, 44, and 45
- 88 FR 65816-23 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General License 42
- 88 FR 52039-23 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 5K and 5L
- 88 FR 52038-23 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General License 40B
- 88 FR 45816-23 - Publication of Covid-Related Web General Licenses Related to Syria Sanctions Regulations, Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations, and Venezuela Sanctions Regulations
- 88 FR 40713-23 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General License 8L
- 88 FR 19842-23 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 32, 33, 34, 34A, and 35
- 88 FR 19840-23 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 29, 30, 30A, 31, and 31A
- 88 FR 13024-23 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 19, 20, 21, 22, and Subsequent Iterations
- 88 FR 13022-23 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 36, 36A, 37, 38, and 39
- 88 FR 10022-23 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28
- 88 FR 9397-23 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General License 31B
- 88 FR 9394-23 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 16, 17, 18, and Subsequent Iterations
- 88 FR 6628-23 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 14, 15, and Subsequent Iterations
- 88 FR 6625-23 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 6, 10, 11, and Subsequent Iterations
- 88 FR 6624-23 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General License 5F and Subsequent Iterations
- 88 FR 2237-23 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 8K and 41
- 88 FR 2234-23 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 12, 13, and Subsequent Iterations
- 88 FR 1507-23 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 1, 2, 4, and Subsequent Iterations
- 87 FR 78470-22 - Publication of United States Government and International Organizations Official Business Sanctions Regulations Amendment and General Licenses
- 87 FR 62020-22 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General License 9 and Subsequent Iterations
- 87 FR 62007-22 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General License 3 and Subsequent Iterations
- 87 FR 50573-22 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 8I and 8J
- 87 FR 50572-22 - Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 40 and 40A
- 87 FR 47932-22 - Publication of Covid-Related Web General Licenses Related to Syria Sanctions Regulations, Iran Transactions and Sanctions Regulations, Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations, and Venezuela Sanctions Regulations
- 86 FR 59024-21 - Publication of Venezuela Web General License 8 and Subsequent Iterations
- 86 FR 58016-21 - Publication of Venezuela Web General License 7 and Subsequent Iterations
- 85 FR 76450-20 - Publication of Web General Licenses (GL 5) Issued Pursuant to the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations
- 85 FR 14572-20 - General Licenses Issued Pursuant to Venezuela-Related Executive Order 13835
- 84 FR 64415-19 - Publication of Amended Venezuela Sanctions Regulations
- 80 FR 39676-15 - Final Rule Issuing the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations
- Determination Pursuant to Executive Order 13850 of November 1, 2018, as Amended (Effective date - May 09, 2019) - Defense and Security Sector
- Determination Pursuant to Executive Order 13850 of November 1, 2018, as Amended (Effective date - March 22, 2019) - Financial Sector
- Determination Pursuant to Executive Order 13850 of November 1, 2018, as Amended (Effective date - January 28, 2019) - Oil Sector