OFAC

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On February 16, 2022, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) published in the Federal Register a final rule adding formal regulations to implement previously announced sanctions regarding Chinese Military-Industrial Complex companies. These formal regulations are the result of a November 12, 2020, Executive Order (EO) 13959 issued by former President…

On February 2, 2022, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) “designed to provide clarity” and further facilitate humanitarian aid and commercial activity in Afghanistan. These FAQs supplement and support the December 2021 Fact Sheet, Provision of Humanitarian Assistance to Afghanistan and Support for the…

The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has announced its extension of two general licenses related to GAZ Group, Ukraine-related General License No. 13Q, “Authorizing Certain Transactions Necessary to Divest or Transfer Debt, Equity, or Other Holdings in GAZ Group” and Ukraine-related General License No. 15K, “Authorizing Certain Activities…

On December 15, 2021, President Joseph Biden signed “Executive Order on Imposing Sanctions on Foreign Persons Involved in the Global Illicit Drug Trade,” an order finding that “the trafficking into the United States of illicit drugs, including fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, is causing the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans annually,…

On December 10, 2021, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned 15 individuals and 10 entities in several countries for their connection to human rights abuse and repression. In addition, OFAC imposed investment restrictions on one Chinese company in connection with the surveillance technology sector

In China, OFAC has placed…

On December 9, 2021, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions on two individuals for corruption involving procurement during the pandemic. The Department of the Treasury stated that “Corruption involving procurement of life-saving medical supplies represents a profound betrayal of public trust and a waste of critically needed resources.” Government officials in El…

On December 2, 2021, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced the expansion of sanctions against Belarus in response to the Lukashenka regime’s continued “disregard for international norms.” The actions taken by OFAC pursuant to Executive Orders 14038 and 13405 include 35 new designations to the Specially Designated Nationals and…

On November 24, 2021, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued Venezuela-related General License 8I, “Authorizing Transactions Involving Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA) Necessary for the Limited Maintenance of Essential Operations in Venezuela or the Wind Down of Operations in Venezuela for Certain Entities.” This general license continues to…

On September 24, 2021, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued two general licenses (GL) intending to alleviate the impact of U.S. sanctions on civilians in Afghanistan. Specifically, OFAC issued GL 14 “Authorizing Humanitarian Activities in Afghanistan” and GL 15 “Transactions Related to the Exportation or Reexportation of Agricultural Commodities, Medicine, Medical Devices, Replacement Parts…