The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week published previously issued general licenses under its Global Magnitsky Sanctions Regulations and Nicaragua Sanctions Regulations. The full text of each license appears in its respective notice.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week sanctioned a network of people and companies involved in illegal methamphetamine and fentanyl trade, including six Mexican nationals who are members of the Sinaloa Cartel. OFAC also designated six Mexico-based entities with ties to the illegal drug trade.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control issued new guidance this week on aid-related transactions that can be provided to Syria to help the country’s earthquake relief efforts. OFAC said it has been receiving questions from non-governmental organizations and others on how to provide aid to Syria while still complying with U.S. sanctions against the country. The guidance includes information on the Syria general license the agency issued earlier this month (see 2302100006), and addresses some frequently asked questions surrounding what activities and transactions are permitted.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week published previously issued general licenses under its Venezuela sanctions regime. The full text of each license appears in the notice.
The State Department this week maintained foreign terrorist designations for Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, Hizbul Mujahideen and the Army of Islam. The agency said circumstances “have not changed in such a manner as to warrant revocation of the designations.”
The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week published previously issued general licenses under its Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations. The full text of each license appears in the notice.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week published previously issued general licenses under its Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations and two sets of licenses under its Venezuela sanctions program. The full text of each license appears in the respective notice.
Experts disagreed on the effectiveness of the Russian oil price cap during a Feb. 13 panel discussion hosted by the Atlantic Council.
Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo met with a group of sanctions experts last week to discuss the “effects and successes” of the global sanctions and export controls imposed against Russia, the agency said in a news release. In the “weeks and months ahead,” Adeyemo said the agency will “focus on countering sanctions evasion, including by targeting facilitators and third-country providers that may wittingly or unwittingly help Russia replenish the supplies and material it desperately needs to support its military.” The experts “provided their thoughts on how best to achieve that goal,” Treasury said.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control designated five current or former Bulgarian government officials for "extensive involvement in corruption" in Bulgaria, according to a Feb. 10 press release. OFAC also sanctioned five entities controlled by two of the targeted officials in an action that OFAC said builds on the office's 2021 designations of six Bulgarians and 64 entities (see 2106020026).