战略与国际研究中心-Ambassador-Kelly-Craft-Is-Confirmed--What-Will-She-Be-Up-Against__3页_208kb

OFAC Guidance on Humanitarian Assistance and Support to the Venezuelan People

Core Content

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), under the U.S. Department of the Treasury, provides guidance on Venezuela-related sanctions and emphasizes that humanitarian assistance and support for democracy are not prohibited by these sanctions. The guidance aims to ensure that U.S. persons can continue to provide essential goods and services to the Venezuelan people, while also holding accountable those involved in the illegitimate Maduro regime.

Main Views

• The U.S. government has imposed sanctions on the Maduro regime to protect Venezuelan assets and restore democracy.
• OFAC is committed to facilitating humanitarian aid and unimpeded communication services to the Venezuelan people.
• Humanitarian activities are generally exempt from U.S. sanctions, provided they meet specific authorization requirements.
• Transactions involving the Government of Venezuela are allowed if they are not related to blocked persons or proscribed conduct.

Key Information

General Licenses for Humanitarian Support

• General License 4C: Authorizes the export or reexport of agricultural commodities, medicine, medical devices, replacement parts, and software updates to Venezuela. It also permits transactions with third-country buyers for resale to Venezuela.
• General License 16B: Permits noncommercial, personal remittances to certain blocked Venezuelan financial institutions, including Banco de Venezuela, Banco Bicentenario del Pueblo, Banco del Tesoro, and Banco Central de Venezuela (BCV). Remittances to non-blocked institutions are also allowed.
• General License 20A: Allows international organizations (e.g., the United Nations, International Committee of the Red Cross) to engage in transactions involving the Government of Venezuela under U.S. jurisdiction.
• General License 24: Authorizes telecommunications and mail services to and from the Government of Venezuela.
• General License 25: Permits the export or reexport of Internet-related services and technologies (e.g., instant messaging, email, web hosting) to the Government of Venezuela.
• General License 26: Supports nonscheduled emergency medical services and other medical services involving the Government of Venezuela.
• General License 29: Enables nongovernmental organizations to conduct transactions with the Government of Venezuela for humanitarian projects, democracy building, education, non-commercial development, and environmental protection.

Additional Notes

• U.S. persons are encouraged to consult the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) for export eligibility.
• OFAC maintains a favorable specific licensing policy for transactions not covered by general licenses, especially those related to humanitarian assistance.
• Applications for specific licenses are prioritized and reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Contact Information

For further questions regarding Venezuela-related sanctions or humanitarian-related general licenses, U.S. persons can contact OFAC's Sanctions Compliance and Evaluation Division at:

• Phone: (800) 540-6322 or (202) 622-2490

Summary

This guidance outlines OFAC's approach to humanitarian and democratic support in Venezuela, emphasizing that such activities are not targeted by U.S. sanctions. It provides specific authorizations (General Licenses) for food, medicine, remittances, telecommunications, internet services, and medical care. OFAC encourages U.S. persons to use these authorizations and consult with BIS for export compliance. Additionally, specific licenses can be requested for transactions not covered by the general licenses, with a focus on humanitarian needs. The U.S. government remains supportive of the Venezuelan people and interim President Juan Guaidó in their efforts to restore democracy.