OFAC issues Venezuela General License 53 for official missions in the United States

WASHINGTON, March 24, 2026 — The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has issued Venezuela-related General License 53, titled “Official Missions of the Government of Venezuela to the United States,” according to an OFAC recent actions notice dated March 24.

The license authorizes transactions otherwise prohibited under the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations when they relate to providing goods or services in the United States to official missions of the Government of Venezuela to the United States or to its permanent missions to international organizations in the United States, as well as payment for those goods or services.

OFAC said the authorization applies where the goods or services are for the official business of the missions or for the personal use of mission employees and qualifying family members or dependents sharing a common dwelling, provided the items are not for resale. The authorization does not cover the purchase, sale, financing or refinancing of real property, and transactions must not otherwise be prohibited by law.

The license also authorizes the provision of goods or services in the United States directly to mission employees and their qualifying family members or dependents for personal use, again subject to a no-resale condition and any other legal restrictions.

In addition, U.S. financial institutions are authorized to operate accounts for, extend credit to and process funds transfers on behalf of the missions and their employees, subject to the license’s limitations.