Publication of Venezuela Sanctions Regulations Web General Licenses 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, and 58
The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is publishing seven general licenses (GLs) issued pursuant to the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations: GLs 5...
The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is publishing seven general licenses (GLs) issued pursuant to the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations: GLs 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, and 58, each of which was previously made available on OFAC's website.
DATES:
GL 52 was issued on March 18, 2026. See
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
for additional relevant dates.
This document and additional information concerning OFAC are available on OFAC's website:
ofac.treasury.gov/.
Background
On March 18, 2026, OFAC issued GL 52 to authorize certain transactions otherwise prohibited by the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 591 (VSR). On March 24, 2026, OFAC issued GL 53, to authorize certain transactions otherwise prohibited by the VSR. On March 27, 2026, OFAC issued GLs 54 and 55, to authorize certain transactions otherwise prohibited by the VSR. On April 14, 2026, OFAC issued GLs 56 and 57, to authorize certain transactions otherwise prohibited by the VSR. On May 5, 2026, OFAC issued GL 58 to authorize certain transactions otherwise prohibited by the VSR. These GLs were made available on OFAC's website (
ofac.treasury.gov) when they were issued. The text of these GLs is provided below.
Authorizing Certain Transactions Involving Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this general license, all transactions prohibited by Executive Order (E.O.) 13884 or E.O. 13850 involving Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA), or any entity in which PdVSA owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest (collectively, “PdVSA Entities”), by an established U.S. entity are authorized, provided that:
(1) Any contract for such transactions with PdVSA or PdVSA Entities specify that the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States govern the contract and that any dispute resolution under the contract occur in the United States; and
(2) Any monetary payment to a blocked person, excluding payments for local taxes, permits, or fees, is made into the Foreign Government Deposit Funds, as specified in E.O. 14373 of January 9, 2026 (“Foreign Government Deposit Funds”), or any other account as instructed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Note 1 to Paragraph (a).
For purposes of this general license, the term “established U.S. entity” means any entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States on or before January 29, 2025.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this general license, all transactions involving the Government of Venezuela that would otherwise be prohibited by E.O. 13884 that are necessary for the activities set forth in paragraph (a) of this general license are authorized, provided that any monetary payment to a blocked person, excluding payments for local taxes, permits, or fees, is made into the Foreign Government Deposit Funds, or any other account as instructed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
(c) This general license does not authorize:
(1) Transactions otherwise prohibited by the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations
( printed page 61772)
(VSR), 31 CFR part 591, such as transactions prohibited by E.O. 13808 related to bonds and certain other debt of the Government of Venezuela or PdVSA, including transactions to settle such bonds and debt, as well as transactions prohibited by E.O. 13835, including transactions related to the sale, transfer, assignment or pledging as collateral by the Government of Venezuela of any equity interest in PdVSA, PdVSA Entities, or any other entity in which the Government of Venezuela has a 50 percent or greater ownership interest;
(2) The entry into a settlement agreement or the enforcement of any lien, judgment, arbitral award, decree, or other order through execution, garnishment, or other judicial process purporting to transfer or otherwise alter or affect property or interests in property of any person blocked pursuant to the VSR, including PdVSA or a PdVSA Entity;
(3) Any transaction involving any individual or entity identified on the Office of Foreign Assets Control's List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List), excluding PdVSA, as well as any entity in which one or more of such persons identified on the SDN List own, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, a 50 percent or greater interest, excluding PdVSA Entities;
(4) Payment terms that are not commercially reasonable, involve debt swaps or payments in gold, or are denominated in digital currency, digital coin, or digital tokens issued by, for, or on behalf of the Government of Venezuela, including the petro;
(5) Any transaction involving a person located in or organized under the laws of the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of Cuba, or any entity that is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by or in a joint venture with such persons;
(6) Any transaction involving an entity located in or organized under the laws of Venezuela or the United States that is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by or in a joint venture with a person located in or organized under the laws of the People's Republic of China;
(7) The unblocking of any property blocked pursuant to the VSR; or
(8) Any transaction involving a blocked vessel.
(d) Any person that exports, reexports, sells, resells, or supplies Venezuelan-origin oil or Venezuelan-origin petrochemical products to countries other than the United States pursuant to this general license must provide a detailed report to
Sanctions_inbox@state.gov
and
VZReporting@doe.gov
that identifies, for each of these transactions:
(1) The parties involved;
(2) A description of the transactions, including the products, quantities, values, dates of the transactions, and countries of ultimate destination; and
(3) Any taxes, fees, or other payments provided to the Government of Venezuela.
(e) Reports described in paragraph (d) are due ten days after the execution of the first of such transactions and every 90 days thereafter while such transactions are ongoing.
Note to General License No. 52.
Nothing in this general license relieves any person from compliance with the requirements of other Federal agencies, including the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security.
Official Missions of the Government of Venezuela to the United States
(a) All transactions prohibited by the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 591 (the VSR), that are related to the provision of goods or services in the United States to official missions of the Government of Venezuela to the United States or to permanent missions of the Government of Venezuela to international organizations in the United States (collectively, the “missions”), and payment for such goods or services, are authorized, provided that:
(1) The goods or services are for the conduct of the official business of the missions, or for personal use of the employees of the mission in the United States, or persons who share a common dwelling as a family member or dependent of such an employee, of the missions, and are not for resale;
(2) The transaction does not involve the purchase, sale, financing, or refinancing of real property; and
(3) The transaction is not otherwise prohibited by law.
(b) The provision of goods or services in the United States to the employees, or persons who share a common dwelling as a family member or dependent of such an employee, of the missions, and payment for such goods or services, are authorized, provided that:
(1) The goods or services are for personal use of the employees, or persons who share a common dwelling as a family member or dependent of such an employee, of the missions, and are not for resale; and
(2) The transaction is not otherwise prohibited by law.
(c) U.S. financial institutions, as defined by the VSR, are authorized to operate accounts for, extend credit to, and process funds transfers on behalf of the missions and employees thereof, subject to the limitations in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this general license.
Authorizing the Supply of Certain Items and Services for Minerals Operations in Venezuela
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this general license, all transactions prohibited by the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 591 (the VSR), including those involving the Government of Venezuela, CVG Compania General de Mineria de Venezuela CA (Minerven), or any entity in which Minerven owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest (collectively, “Minerven Entities”), that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the provision from the United States or by a U.S. person of goods, technology, software, or services for the exploration, development, mining, extraction, processing, refining, or production of minerals, including gold, in Venezuela are authorized, provided that:
(1) Any contract for such transactions with the Government of Venezuela, Minerven, or Minerven Entities specify that the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States govern the contract and that any dispute resolution under the contract occur in the United States; and
(2) Any monetary payment to a blocked person, excluding payments for local taxes, permits, or fees, is made into the Foreign Government Deposit Funds, as specified in Executive Order 14373 of January 9, 2026, or any other account as instructed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Note 1 to Paragraph (a).
Transactions authorized by paragraph (a) include
( printed page 61773)
processing of payments, arranging shipping and logistics services, including chartering vessels, obtaining marine insurance and protection and indemnity (P&I) coverage, and arranging port and terminal services, including with port authorities or terminal operators that are part of the Government of Venezuela. Paragraph (a) also authorizes transactions for the maintenance of minerals operations, including gold operations, in Venezuela, including the refurbishment or repair of items used for minerals exploration, development, mining, extraction, processing, refining, or production activities.
Note 2 to Paragraph (a).
See Venezuela General License No. 30B for an authorization for transactions ordinarily incident and necessary to operations or use of ports and airports in Venezuela.
(b) This general license does not authorize:
(1) Payment terms that are not commercially reasonable, involve debt swaps or payments in gold, or are denominated in digital currency, digital coin, or digital tokens issued by, for, or on behalf of the Government of Venezuela, including the petro;
(2) Any transaction involving a person located in or organized under the laws of the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of Cuba, the People's Republic of China, or any entity that is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by or in a joint venture with such persons;
(3) The unblocking of any property blocked pursuant to the VSR;
(4) Any transaction involving a blocked vessel; or
(5) The formation of new joint ventures or other entities in Venezuela to explore, develop, mine, extract, process, refine, or produce minerals, including gold.
(c) Any person that exports, reexports, sells, resells, or supplies goods, technology, software, or services pursuant to this general license must provide a detailed report to
Sanctions_inbox@state.gov
and
ofac_intake@doi.gov
that identifies, for each of these transactions:
(1) The parties involved;
(2) The goods, technology, software, or services involved, including quantities and values;
(3) The dates the transactions occurred; and
(4) Any taxes, fees, or other payments provided to the Government of Venezuela.
(d) Reports described in paragraph (c) are due ten days after the execution of the first of such transactions and every 90 days thereafter while such transactions are ongoing.
Note to General License No. 54.
Nothing in this general license relieves any person from compliance with the requirements of other Federal agencies, including the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security.
Authorizing Negotiations of and Entry Into Contingent Contracts for Certain Investment in Venezuela's Minerals Sector
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this general license, all transactions prohibited by the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 591 (the VSR), including those involving the Government of Venezuela, CVG Compania General de Mineria de Venezuela CA (Minerven), or any entity in which Minerven owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest, that are related to the negotiation of and entry into contingent contracts for new investment in the minerals sector of Venezuela, including the gold sector of Venezuela, are authorized, provided that the performance of any such contract is made expressly contingent upon separate authorization from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“contingent contracts”).
Note 1 to Paragraph (a).
For purposes of this general license, the term “contingent contracts” includes executory contracts, executory pro forma invoices, agreements in principle, executory offers capable of acceptance such as bids or proposals in response to public tenders, binding memoranda of understanding, or any other similar agreement.
Note 2 to Paragraph (a).
Paragraph (a) authorizes negotiating and entering into contingent contracts to engage in new exploration, development, mining, extraction, processing, refining, or production activities in Venezuela's minerals sector, to expand existing operations in Venezuela, and to form new joint ventures or other entities in Venezuela related to the foregoing activities. Transactions authorized by paragraph (a) also include prefatory steps for the aforementioned activities, such as conducting commercial, legal, technical, safety, and environmental due diligence and assessments.
(b) This general license does not authorize:
(1) Any transaction involving a person located in the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of Cuba, the People's Republic of China, or any entity that is owned or controlled by or in a joint venture with such persons;
(2) The unblocking of any property blocked pursuant to the VSR; or
(3) Any transaction involving a blocked vessel.
Note to General License No. 55.
Nothing in this general license relieves any person from compliance with the requirements of other Federal agencies, including the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security.
Authorizing Commercial-Related Negotiations of Contingent Contracts With the Government of Venezuela
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this general license, all transactions prohibited by Executive Order (E.O.) 13884 that are ordinarily incident and necessary to engaging in commercial-related negotiations of contingent contracts with the Government of Venezuela are authorized, provided that the entry into and performance of any such contract is made expressly contingent upon separate authorization from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“contingent contracts”).
Note 1 to paragraph (a).
For purposes of this general license, the term “Government of Venezuela” has the meaning set forth in section 6(d) of E.O. 13884 and includes the state and Government of Venezuela, any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, any person owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the foregoing, and any person who has acted or purported to act, directly or indirectly, for or on behalf of the foregoing.
Note 2 to paragraph (a).
For purposes of this general license, the term “contingent contracts” includes executory contracts, executory pro forma invoices, agreements in principle, executory offers capable of acceptance such as bids or proposals in response to public tenders, binding memoranda of understanding, or any other similar agreement.
(b) This general license does not authorize:
(1) Transactions otherwise prohibited by the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 591 (VSR), such as transactions prohibited by E.O. 13808 related to bonds and certain other debt
( printed page 61774)
of the Government of Venezuela or Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA), including transactions to settle such bonds and debt, as well as transactions prohibited by E.O. 13835, including transactions related to the sale, transfer, assignment, or pledging as collateral by the Government of Venezuela of any equity interest in PdVSA or any other entity in which the Government of Venezuela has a 50 percent or greater ownership interest;
(2) Payment terms that are not commercially reasonable, involve debt swaps or payments in gold, or are denominated in digital currency, digital coin, or digital tokens issued by, for, or on behalf of the Government of Venezuela, including the petro;
(3) The entry into a settlement agreement or the enforcement of any lien, judgment, arbitral award, decree, or other order through execution, garnishment, or other judicial process purporting to transfer or otherwise alter or affect property or interests in property blocked pursuant to the VSR;
(4) Any transaction involving a person located in the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or the Republic of Cuba, or any entity that is owned or controlled by or in a joint venture with such persons;
(5) Any transaction involving an entity located in or organized under the laws of Venezuela or the United States that is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by or in a joint venture with a person located in or organized under the laws of the People's Republic of China;
(6) Any transaction involving any individual or entity identified on the Office of Foreign Assets Control's List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List), as well as any entity in which one or more of such persons identified on the SDN List own, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, a 50 percent or greater interest; or
(7) The unblocking of any property blocked pursuant to 31 CFR Chapter V.
Authorizing Financial Services Transactions Involving Certain Venezuelan Banks and Government of Venezuela Individuals
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this general license, all transactions prohibited by the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 591 (VSR), that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the provision, exportation, or reexportation, directly or indirectly, of financial services to, from, or for the benefit of the following persons are authorized:
(1) Banco Central de Venezuela;
(2) Banco de Venezuela, S.A. Banco Universal (Banco de Venezuela);
(3) Banco Digital de los Trabajadores Banco Universal C.A.;
(4) Banco del Tesoro, C.A. Banco Universal (Banco del Tesoro);
(5) Any entity in which one or more of the above persons own, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, a 50 percent or greater interest; or
(6) Any individual whose property and interests in property are blocked solely pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13884 because that individual meets the definition of “Government of Venezuela,” as defined in E.O. 13884, including current employees of the “Government of Venezuela,” excluding any individual identified on the Office of Foreign Assets Control's List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this general license, all transactions involving the Government of Venezuela that would otherwise be prohibited by E.O. 13884 and that are necessary for the activities set forth in paragraph (a) of this general license are authorized.
(c) This general license does not authorize:
(1) The unblocking of any property blocked pursuant to any part of 31 CFR chapter V; or
(2) Any transactions otherwise prohibited by the VSR, unless separately authorized.
Note 1 to General License 57.
For purposes of this general license, the term “financial services” includes maintaining, operating, or closing of accounts; loans; transfers; transfers of funds; banking services; money transfer services; collection; presentment; promise; order; consignment; the acceptance of deposits; insurance; guarantees; cash withdrawals; check services; Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfers; wire transfers; debit card, prepaid card, Automated Teller Machine transactions, and any other payments as defined under the Uniform Commercial Code Article 3-602; the issuance and use of payment cards and digital wallets; currency exchange; U.S. dollar-denominated banking, payment, and correspondent account services; services in connection with the collection, forwarding, processing, or receipt of funds or remittances; services in connection with the processing or receipt of salary, pension, annuity, payroll, and other employment-related payments or benefits; transfers of funds sent through mobile money, mobile wallets, digital bank accounts, credit cards, debit cards, online payments, or other digital technology; related safety, fraud-prevention, screening, authentication, cybersecurity, and security services and technologies; investments; securities; and commodity futures or options.
Note 2 to General License 57.
U.S. financial institutions processing transactions authorized by paragraphs (a) or (b) of this general license may rely on the originator or beneficiary of a funds transfer with regard to compliance with this general license, provided that the processing financial institution does not know or have reason to know that the transaction is not in compliance with this general license.
Note 3 to General License 57.
Nothing in this general license relieves any person from compliance with the requirements of other U.S. laws, including the Bank Secrecy Act, 31 U.S.C. 5311et seq.,
the USA PATRIOT Act, Public Law 107-56, and regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
Authorizing Certain Services to the Government of Venezuela in Connection With Potential Debt Restructuring
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this general license, all transactions prohibited by the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 591 (the VSR), that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the provision of legal, financial advisory, and consulting services to the Government of Venezuela, including Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA) and any entity in which PdVSA owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest (collectively, “PdVSA Entities”), in connection with potential
( printed page 61775)
restructuring of debt of the Government of Venezuela, including debt of PdVSA and PdVSA Entities, are authorized.
Note 1 to paragraph (a).
For purposes of this general license, the term “Government of Venezuela” has the meaning set forth in section 6(d) of Executive Order 13884 and includes the state and Government of Venezuela, any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, any person owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the foregoing, and any person who has acted or purported to act, directly or indirectly, for or on behalf of the foregoing.
Note 2 to paragraph (a).
Authorized legal, financial advisory, and consulting services in connection with potential debt restructuring include the assessment, development, or preparation of debt restructuring options, proposals, and related supporting materials.
(b) This general license does not authorize:
(1) The restructuring, transfer, or settlement of debt of the Government of Venezuela, including debt of PdVSA and PdVSA Entities, or direct negotiations between the Government of Venezuela, including PdVSA and PdVSA Entities, and creditors regarding such restructuring, transfer, or settlement;
(2) Payment terms for services provided under this general license that are not commercially reasonable, involve debt swaps or payments in gold, or are denominated in digital currency, digital coin, or digital tokens issued by, for, or on behalf of the Government of Venezuela, including the petro;
(3) The entry into a settlement agreement or the enforcement of any lien, judgment, arbitral award, decree, or other order through execution, garnishment, or other judicial process purporting to transfer or otherwise alter or affect property or interests in property blocked pursuant to the VSR;
(4) Any transaction by a person located in the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the Republic of Cuba, or the People's Republic of China, or any entity that is owned or controlled by or in a joint venture with such persons;
(5) Any transaction involving any individual or entity identified on the Office of Foreign Assets Control's List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List), excluding PdVSA, as well as any entity in which one or more of such persons identified on the SDN List own, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, a 50 percent or greater interest, excluding PdVSA Entities; or
(6) The unblocking of any property blocked pursuant to 31 CFR Chapter V.
(c) Any person that provides legal, financial advisory, and consulting services pursuant to this general license shall furnish a copy of the signed contract for such services to
Sanctions_inbox@state.gov
and
VZReporting@doe.gov
within 10 business days of execution.
ofac.treasury.gov/contact-ofac
31 CFR part 591 (VSR)
31 U.S.C. 5311