The Office of Foreign Assets Control removed one individual, Hanna Khalifeh, across three separate entries from its Specially Designated Nationals List, according to a Jan. 19 announcement. Khalifeh was listed on the SDN List for counterterrorism reasons. OFAC didn't immediately provide more information.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control Jan. 17 again extended a general license that continues to delay an exemption that would authorize certain transactions related to Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. General License 5J, which replaced GL 5I, now authorizes certain transactions with PdVSA involving an 8.5% bond on or after April 20. The agency also updated a frequently asked question to reflect the change. The previous license was set to allow those transactions to occur on or after Jan. 20.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week updated three Russia-related general licenses and four frequently asked questions.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control is adjusting its civil monetary penalties for inflation, the agency said in a notice. The new amounts include higher maximum penalties for violations of the Trading With the Enemy Act, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act, the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act and the Clean Diamond Trade Act. The agency also updated two references to “one-half the IEEPA maximum CMP from $165,474 to $178,290” and adjusted the record-keeping CMPs in OFAC’s Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines. The changes take effect Jan. 13.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week renewed a general license that authorizes certain transactions related to safety and environmental measures for certain sanctioned vessels. General License 21B, which replaces GL 21A, is valid through 12:01 a.m. April 13. The license was scheduled to expire Jan. 14 (see 2212140028)). OFAC also updated Frequently Asked Question 1097 to reflect the update.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control Dec. 30 fined a multinational Danish-based refrigeration manufacturer more than $4.3 million for violating U.S. sanctions against Iran, Syria and Sudan. Danfoss, which also sells air conditioners and other cooling and heating products, illegally directed customers in all three countries to make payments through a U.S. financial institution, OFAC said in an enforcement notice. The company also made illegal payments to entities in Iran and Syria.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control published guidance this week on a September general license that expanded the types of internet and communications services and exports that can be provided to Iran (see 2209230037). General License D2 made several “key changes” to GL D1, OFAC said in a new frequently asked question, including language to “expand and clarify the range” of U.S. software and services that can be provided to Iranians.
Export Compliance Daily is providing this recap of export control and sanctions enforcement over the past year to assist export compliance professionals, lawyers and others in staying up to date with current enforcement trends. This guide summarizes the most notable enforcement actions by the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security, the State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and the Department of Justice since Jan. 1, 2022.
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The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week issued Venezuela-related General License 31B, which replaces General License 31A (see 2101040025), authorizes U.S. persons to engage in transactions otherwise prohibited by sanctions involving the Venezuelan National Assembly seated on Jan. 5, 2016, and associated entities and people. The new license removes a reference to Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido, since he was ousted by the opposition party's National Assembly last month. OFAC also amended five frequently asked questions related to the license and the Venezeula sanctions.