On August 12, 2024, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued General License (GL) 5P, “Authorizing Certain Transactions Related to the Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. 2020 8.5 Percent Bond on or After November 12, 2024,” which continues to delay U.S. persons’ ability to enforce bondholder rights to the CITGO
Francesca M.S. Guerrero
Francesca counsels clients on compliance with export controls, sanctions, import regulations, human rights and forced labor, and the FCPA and antibribery laws. She works closely with companies to develop tailored compliance programs that fit their specific needs, and routinely advises clients on some of their most challenging international transactions, involving dealings in high-risk jurisdictions or with high-risk counterparties. Francesca also counsels companies through all phases of internal investigations of potential trade and antibribery violations and represents companies across industries before related government agencies.
DHS Updates UFLPA Entity List with Five Chinese Entities
On August 8, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced via a Federal Register notice that effective immediately, five Chinese entities have been added to the UFLPA Entity List. These entities have been determined by DHS to be either: (i) working with the government of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) to recruit…
OFAC Extends Wind Down Authorization for Transactions with Certain Russian Financial Exchanges
On August 2, 2024, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued two revised general licenses regarding conducting financial transactions involving: (i) the Moscow Exchange (MOEX), Russia’s largest public trading markets for equity, fixed income, derivative, foreign exchange, and money market products, as well as Russia’s central securities depository and the…
Commerce and State Departments Issue Proposed Rules Addressing Restrictions on U.S. Persons’ Support for Foreign Military, Intelligence, and Security Services and Controls to Protect National Security and Human Rights
On July 29, 2024, both the Departments of Commerce and State issued separate but complementary proposed rules seeking public comment on enhanced restrictions on exports, reexports, or support to military or intelligence end users and end uses in countries of concern, consistent with the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Department of Commerce’s…
Regulations Issued to Redesignate BIS as the Authority Administering Rules for Information and Communications Technology and Services Tied to Foreign Adversaries
The Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a Final Rule that redesignates regulations governing the procedures for the review of certain transactions involving information and communications technology and services (ICTS) designed, developed, manufactured, or supplied by persons owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of a…
BIS Issues Guidance on Addressing Export Diversion Risks to Countries or Entities of Concern
On July 10, 2024, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published guidance summarizing the actions it takes to identify and inform industry about parties that present diversion risks to countries or entities of concern. This guidance is offered in an effort “to address the evolving tactics of our adversaries to circumvent…
OFAC Continues to Extend Authorizations Under Russia General License 13
On July 10, 2024, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) again extended previous Russia-related General License (GL) 13 by issuing a revised GL 13J, “Authorizing Certain Administrative Transactions Prohibited by Directive 4 under Executive Order 14024,” which states that U.S. persons are authorized to pay taxes, fees, or import…
CFIUS Issues Proposed Rule to Expand Coverage of Real Estate Transactions Near Military Installations
On July 8, 2024, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Investment Security issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking to add 59 military installations, across 30 states, to the list of installations around which the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has jurisdiction regarding certain real estate transactions involving foreign persons. …
Two Members of Congress Ask CFIUS to Review Chinese Company’s Purchase of Grain Terminal in Illinois
One week after China’s largest state-run food and agriculture company announced its acquisition of a grain terminal in Cahokia, Illinois, a bipartisan pair of U.S. House members from Illinois urged Treasury Secretary Janet Yellin to conduct “an immediate review of the acquisition to weigh the consequences for America’s national security and the region’s agricultural economy.” …
OFAC Issues General License 40C Continuing to Authorize Certain Transactions Involving the Export of LP Gas to Venezuela
On July 8, 2024, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued Venezuela-related General License 40C, “Authorizing Certain Transactions Involving the Exportation or Reexportation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas to Venezuela.” This revised general license continues authorization of all transactions and activities related to the exportation or reexportation, directly or indirectly…
