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Venezuela-Related Sanctions

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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.

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.

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.

Press Charts

OFAC releases press charts related to illicit activity in Venezuela

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 5, 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 1, 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 8, 2015)

Determinations

Statutes

Code of Federal Regulations

Federal Register Notices

  • 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 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