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President Trump issues Executive Order blocking property of the Government of Venezuela
On August 5, President Trump issued Executive Order (E.O.) 13884 titled “Blocking Property of the Government of Venezuela,” which, among other things, prevents all property and interest in property of the Government of Venezuela existing within the U.S. or in the possession of a U.S. person from being transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in. E.O. 13884 is being issued in light of the actions of the Maduro regime, “as well as human rights abuses, including arbitrary or unlawful arrest and detention of Venezuelan citizens, interference with freedom of expression, including for members of the media, and ongoing attempts to undermine Interim President Juan Guaido and the Venezuelan National Assembly's exercise of legitimate authority in Venezuela.”
In connection with the issuance of the E.O, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued new and revised FAQs, as well as 12 amended general licenses (General Licenses 2A, 3F, 4C, 7C, 8C, 9E, 10A, 13C, 15B, 16B, 18A, 20A) and 13 new general licenses (General Licenses 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33) related to Venezuela.
Additionally, OFAC issued new guidance highlighting the U.S. government’s “commitment to the unfettered flow of humanitarian aid to the Venezuelan people.” OFAC notes that its regulations and general licenses allow U.S. persons to continue to provide humanitarian support to the Venezuelan people, including via transactions through the U.S. financial system for authorized activities. OFAC sanctions do not prohibit transactions involving the country or people of Venezuela, provided blocked persons or proscribed conduct are not involved.
For continuing InfoBytes coverage on Venezuela, including more information on blocked persons or actions, click here.
OFAC sanctions corruption network linked to Venezuela’s food subsidy program; DOJ charges two of same individuals for money laundering related to bribery
On July 25, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against two Colombian nationals responsible for “orchestrating a vast corruption network,” which has enabled former President Maduro and his regime “to significantly profit from food imports and distribution in Venezuela.” According to OFAC, the Colombian nationals created a network comprised of shell companies, business partners, and family members—all of whom have also been designated for their involvement in the network—that illicitly profited from their involvement in Venezuela’s food subsidy program as well as other contracts with the Venezuelan government. The sanctioned network—which also included Maduro’s three stepsons—allegedly “laundered hundreds of millions of dollars in corruption proceeds around the world.” As a result of the sanctions, “all property and interests in property of the individuals and entities designated today, and of any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by those individuals or entities, that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC.” OFAC noted that its regulations “generally prohibit” U.S. persons from participating in transactions with the designated entities and individuals. OFAC also referred financial institutions to Financial Crimes Enforcement Network advisories FIN-2019-A002, FIN-2017-A006, and FIN-2018-A003 for further information concerning the efforts of Venezuelan government agencies and individuals to use the U.S. financial system and real estate market to launder corrupt proceeds, as well as human rights abuses connected to corrupt foreign political figures and their financial facilitators.
The same day, the DOJ announced charges, pursuant to an indictment filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, against two of the same sanctioned Colombian nationals for money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The charges relate to the Colombian nationals’ alleged roles in laundering the proceeds of an illegal bribery scheme from bank accounts located in Venezuela to and through bank accounts located in the United States. The bribery scheme resulted in the transfer of approximately $350 million, and allegedly involved contracts to build low-income housing units and efforts to take advantage of Venezuela’s government-controlled exchange rates through the use of “false and fraudulent import documents for goods and materials.”
OFAC extends Venezuela-related general license
On July 26, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced General License (GL) 8B, titled “Authorizing Transactions Involving Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA) Necessary for Maintenance of Operations for Certain Entities in Venezuela,” which supersedes GL 8A to extend the expiration date through October 25.
Visit here for additional InfoBytes coverage of actions related to Venezuela.
OFAC sanctions four Venezuelan DGCIM officials
On July 19, the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned four officials of Venezuela’s General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM). As previously covered by InfoBytes, the DGCIM was sanctioned by OFAC on July 11, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13850, for operating in the country’s defense and security sector. According to OFAC, the designations of the four individuals were pursuant to E.O. 13692, following the arrest, physical abuse, and death of a Venezuelan Navy Captain. As a result of the designations, all property and interests in property of the designated persons within U.S. jurisdiction must be blocked and reported to OFAC. OFAC notes that its regulations “generally prohibit” U.S. persons from participating in transactions with these individuals and entities.
OFAC sanctions Venezuela’s military counterintelligence agency
On July 11, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions, pursuant to Executive Order 13850, against the Government of Venezuela’s General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM) for operating in the country’s defense and security sector. According to OFAC, the DGCIM has been involved in human rights abuses and the “politically motivated” arrest and death of a Venezuelan Navy captain. As a result of the sanctions, all property and interests in property of the sanctioned entity or of other entities “that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more” by the sanctioned entity “that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC.” U.S. persons are also generally prohibited from entering into transactions with these entities. Furthermore, OFAC also referred financial institutions to Financial Crimes Enforcement Network advisories FIN-2019-A002, FIN-2017-A006, and FIN-2018-A003 for further information concerning the efforts of Venezuelan government agencies and individuals to use the U.S. financial system and real estate market to launder corrupt proceeds, as well as human rights abuses connected to corrupt foreign political figures and their financial facilitators.
OFAC sanctions Cuban oil company for facilitating Maduro regime
On July 3, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against Cuban state-run oil import and export company for continuing to provide support to the Maduro regime by the importation of oil from Venezuela. The sanctions are pursuant to Executive Order 13850. OFAC alleges that the state-run company has been the recipient of oil from Venezuela and has expanded its operations to include non-traditionally traded oil products. As a result of the sanctions, “all property and interests in property of these individuals, and of any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by such individuals, that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC.” OFAC notes that its regulations “generally prohibit” U.S. persons from participating in transactions with these individuals and entities.
Additionally, the announcement notes that OFAC is delisting an oil tanking company in recognition of the company’s actions to ensure that its vessels are not complicit in supporting the Maduro regime. As a result of the delisting, all property and interest of the company is now unblocked and lawful transactions involving U.S. persons are no longer prohibited.
OFAC sanctions Maduro regime officials in Venezuela
On June 27 and 28, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated two Maduro regime officials and the son of Maduro for engaging in significant corruption and fraud to the detriment of the people of Venezuela. Specifically, OFAC designated the two regime officials pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13692, for having previously received bribes from two Venezuelan businessmen in exchange for awarding contracts for expensive equipment to maintain Venezuelan electrical infrastructure, which were incompatible with the Venezuelan electrical system. Continued corruption and mismanagement resulted in persistent countrywide blackouts, limiting the people’s access to basic goods, services, and potable water supplies, among other things.
Additionally, pursuant to E.O. 13692, OFAC designated the son of Maduro for being a current or former official of the Government of Venezuela and a member of Venezuela’s illegitimate National Constituent Assembly, “which seeks to rewrite the Venezuelan constitution and dissolve Venezuelan state institutions, [and] was created through an undemocratic process instigated by Maduro’s government to subvert the will of the Venezuelan people.”
OFAC amends Venezuela-related general licenses; temporarily extends two Ukraine-related general licenses
On June 26, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced General License (GL) 13B, which supersedes and replaces GL 13A. GL 13B expires on October 25. Additionally, OFAC extended the expiration date to November 8 of two Ukraine-related GLs by issuing GL 13L, which supersedes GL 13K, and GL 15F, which supersedes GL 15 E. OFAC also noted that GL 15F includes a new authorization for certain safety-related activity.
Visit here for continuing InfoBytes coverage of actions related to Venezuela, and here for actions related to Ukraine.
OFAC sanctions entity and two individuals for trafficking weapons to IRGC-QF and facilitating sanctions evasion
On June 12, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on a resource trading company and its two Iraqi associates, for trafficking “hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of weapons” to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) and facilitating access to the Iraqi financial system to evade sanctions.
According to OFAC, the sanctions were issued pursuant to Executive Order 13224, which “provides a means by which to disrupt the financial support network for terrorists and terrorist organizations.” As a result, “all property and interests in property of these targets that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC.” OFAC noted that persons who engage in transactions with the designated individuals and entities may be exposed to sanctions themselves or subject to enforcement action. Moreover, OFAC warned foreign financial institutions that, unless an exemption applies, they may be subject to U.S. sanctions if they knowingly facilitate significant transactions for any of the designed individuals or entities.
OFAC amends three Venezuela-related General Licenses
On June 6, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) amended three General Licenses (GL), (i) GL 7B, which supersedes GL 7A; (ii) GL 8A, which supersedes GL 8; and (iii) GL 13A, which supersedes GL 13, to clarify that these general licenses do not authorize transactions or dealings related to the exportation or re-exportation of diluents, directly or indirectly, to Venezuela. Additionally, OFAC is issuing corresponding FAQ 672 to provide further guidance with respect to restrictions regarding diluents.
Visit here for additional InfoBytes coverage of actions related to Venezuela.