Venezuela-Related Sanctions

Important Advisories and Information:

OFAC issues advisories to the public on important issues related to the Venezuela Sanctions, while these documents may focus on specific industries and activities they should be reviewed by any party interested in OFAC compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

OFAC has compiled hundreds of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about its sanctions programs and related policies. The links below send the user to OFAC's FAQ pages.

Interpretive Guidance

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.

Applying for a Specific OFAC License

It may be in your and the U.S. government's interest to authorize particular economic activity related to the Venezuela-related Sanctions. 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

General Licenses

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.
Venezuela General License 3I - Authorizing Transactions Related to, Provision of Financing for, and Other Dealings in Certain Bonds
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
Venezuela General License 5Q - Authorizing Certain Transactions Related to the Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. 2020 8.5 Percent Bond on or After March 7, 2025
Venezuela General License 7C - Authorizing Certain Activities Involving PDV Holding, Inc. and CITGO Holding, Inc.
Venezuela General License 8O - Authorizing Transactions Involving Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA) Necessary for the Limited Maintenance of Essential Operations in Venezuela or the Wind Down of Operations in Venezuela for Certain Entities
Venezuela General License 9H - Authorizing Transactions Related to Dealings in Certain Securities
Venezuela General License 10A - Authorizing the Purchase in Venezuela of Refined Petroleum Products from Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA)
Venezuela General License 15C - Authorizing Transactions Involving Certain Banks for Certain Entities
Venezuela General License 16C - Authorizing Maintenance of U.S. Person Accounts and Noncommercial, Personal Remittances involving Certain Banks
Venezuela General License 18A - Authorizing Certain Transactions Involving Integración Administradora de Fondos de Ahorro Previsional, S.A.
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
Venezuela General License 22 - Venezuela’s Mission to the United Nations
Venezuela General License 23 - Third-country Diplomatic and Consular Funds Transfers Authorized
Venezuela General License 24 - Certain Transactions Involving the Government of Venezuela Related to Telecommunications and Mail Authorized
Venezuela General License 25 - Exportation of Certain Services, Software, Hardware, and Technology Incident to the Exchange of Communications over the Internet Authorized
Venezuela General License 26 - Emergency and Certain Other Medical Services Authorized
Venezuela General License 27 - Certain Transactions Related to Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights Authorized
Venezuela General License 29 - Certain Transactions Involving the Government of Venezuela in Support of Certain Nongovernmental Organizations’ Activities Authorized
Venezuela General License 30A - Authorizing Certain Transactions Necessary to Port and Airport Operations
Venezuela General License 31B - Certain Transactions Involving the IV Venezuelan National Assembly and Certain Other Persons
Venezuela General License 32 - Authorizing Certain Transactions Related to Personal Maintenance of Individuals who are U.S. Persons Residing in Venezuela
Venezuela General License 33 - Authorizing Overflight Payments, Emergency Landings, and Air Ambulance Services
Venezuela General License 34A - Authorizing Transactions Involving Certain Government of Venezuela Persons
Venezuela General License 35 - Authorizing Certain Administrative Transactions with the Government of Venezuela
Venezuela General License 40C - Authorizing Certain Transactions Involving the Exportation or Reexportation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas to Venezuela
Venezuela General License 41 - Authorizing Certain Transactions Related to Chevron Corporation’s Joint Ventures in Venezuela
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
Venezuela General License 45B - Authorizing Certain Repatriation Transactions Involving Consorcio Venezolano de Industrias Aeronáuticas y Servicios Aéreos, S.A.
Archive of Expired General Licenses

Guidance on OFAC Licensing Policy

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

Press Charts

OFAC releases press charts related to illicit activity in Venezuela.

PDVSA Sanctions Evasion Network - June 2020
Venezuela Currency Exchange Network Scheme - January 2019

Legal Framework for the Venezuela-related Sanctions

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.

Executive Orders

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)

Determinations

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

Statutes

Code of Federal Regulations

31 CFR Part 591 - Venezuela Sanctions Regulations

Federal Register Notices

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