Venezuela sanctions

December 3, 2019: OFAC adds vessels to Venezuela sanctions

On Tuesday, OFAC added:

ICARO Crude Oil Tanker Panama flag; Vessel Registration Identification IMO 9038842 (vessel) [VENEZUELA-EO13884] (Linked To: PETROLEOS DE VENEZUELA, S.A.). 

 

LUISA CACERES DE ARISMENDI Products Tanker Venezuela flag; Vessel Registration Identification IMO 9117478 (vessel) [VENEZUELA-EO13884] (Linked To: PETROLEOS DE VENEZUELA, S.A.). 

 

MANUELA SAENZ Products Tanker Venezuela flag; Vessel Registration Identification IMO 9117492 (vessel) [VENEZUELA-EO13884] (Linked To: PETROLEOS DE VENEZUELA, S.A.). 

 

PARAMACONI Crude Oil Tanker Venezuela flag; Vessel Registration Identification IMO 9543512 (vessel) [VENEZUELA-EO13884] (Linked To: PETROLEOS DE VENEZUELA, S.A.). 

 

TEREPAIMA Crude Oil Tanker Venezuela flag; Vessel Registration Identification IMO 9552496 (vessel) [VENEZUELA-EO13884] (Linked To: PETROLEOS DE VENEZUELA, S.A.). 

 

YARE Crude Oil Tanker Venezuela flag; Vessel Registration Identification IMO 9543500 (vessel) [VENEZUELA-EO13884] (Linked To: PETROLEOS DE VENEZUELA, S.A.).

and modified:

NEDAS Crude Oil Tanker Greece flag; Vessel Registration Identification IMO 9289166 (vessel) [VENEZUELA-EO13850] (Linked To: JENNIFER NAVIGATION LIMITED). -to- ESPERANZA (f.k.a. NEDAS) Crude Oil Tanker Cuba flag; Former Vessel Flag Greece; Vessel Registration Identification IMO 9289166 (vessel) [VENEZUELA-EO13850] (Linked To: CAROIL TRANSPORT MARINE LTD).

vessels on the SDN List under the Venezuela sanctions program.

And the State Department issued the following press release:

The United States Takes Action Against the Movement of Venezuelan Oil to Cuba

PRESS STATEMENT

MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE

DECEMBER 3, 2019

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On December 3, the United States identified six PDVSA-owned vessels, pursuant to E.O. 13884 or 13850, being used by the former Maduro regime to ship oil to Cuba.  In addition, the Esperanza was identified as the new name for the vessel previously named the Nedas, which was blocked on April 12, 2019.  These actions block the efforts by the Cuban and former Maduro regimes to evade sanctions that are intended to prevent the theft of Venezuela’s natural resources for corrupt purposes.

While the Venezuelan people continue to take to the streets to demand basic services and a return to freedom and prosperity, Maduro chooses to ship a vital natural resource to Cuba in exchange for Cuban security and intelligence services that preserve his influence in Venezuela.  Cuba continues to prop up Nicolas Maduro, subverting the Venezuelan people’s right to self-determination and undermining Venezuelan institutions.

The United States will continue to promote accountability for Cuba’s actions in Venezuela.  The United States is steadfast in its support for the people of Venezuela, interim President Juan Guaido, and the democratically elected National Assembly.

Links:

OFAC Notice

State Department Press Release

SECO amends 8 Venezuela designations

Earlier today, Swiss officials updated the listings for the following 8 individuals designated under their Venezuela sanctions program:

SSID: 290-38374 Name: Néstor Luis Reverol Torres

Sex: M DOB: 28 Oct 1964

Justification: Minister for Interior, Justice and Peace; formerPeace since 2016. Also appointed as Vice-President of Public Works and Services and Executive Secretary of the Electrical General Staff in Apr 2019. Former Commander General of the Bolivarian National Guard. Responsible for serious human rights violationsviolations, including torture of (political) prisoners, and repression of the democratic opposition in Venezuela, including the prohibition and repression of political demonstrationsdemonstrations, committed by security forces under his command. Modifications: Listed on 28 Mar 2018, amended on 7 Aug 2019, 22 Nov 2019

SSID: 290-38384 Name: Tibisay Lucena Ramírez

Sex: W DOB: 26 Apr 1959

Justification: President of the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral – CNE).(CNE)). Her actions and policies have undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela, including by facilitating the establishment of the Constituent Assembly by failing to ensure that the CNE remains an impartial and independent institution in accordance with the Venezuelan ConstitutionConstitution thereby facilitating the establishment of the Constituent Assembly and the re-election of Nicolás Maduro in May 2018 through presidential elections that were neither free nor fair. Modifications: Listed on 28 Mar 2018, amended on 7 Aug 2019, 22 Nov 2019

SSID: 290-38399 Name: Tarek William Saab Halabi

Sex: M DOB: 10 Sep 1963 POB: El Tigre, Anzoátegui state, Venezuela

Justification: Venezuelan Attorney General appointed by the Constituent Assembly. In this role, and previous roles as Ombudsman and President of the Republican Moral Council, he has undermined democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela by publicly supporting actions against opponents of the Governmentgovernment of Venezuela and the withdrawal of competences from the National Assembly. Modifications: Listed on 28 Mar 2018, amended on 7 Aug 2019, 22 Nov 2019

SSID: 290-39311 Name: Jesús Rafael Suárez Chourio

Sex: M DOB: 19 Jul 1962

Justification: Commander in Chief of the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Army and Chief of the General Staff to the Commander-in-Chief. Former General Commander of the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Army and former Commander of Venezuela’sVenezuela’s Comprehensive Defence Region of the Central Zone (REDI Central). Responsible for serious human rights violations by forces under his commandcommand during his tenure as General Commander of the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Army, including the use of excessive force and the mistreatment of detainees. HasHe has targeted the democratic opposition and supported the use of military courts to try civilian protestors. Other information: General Commander of the Bolivarian Army. Modifications: Listed on 10 Jul 2018, amended on 7 Aug 2019, 22 Nov 2019

SSID: 290-39329 Name: Elías José Jaua Milano

Sex: M DOB: 16 Dec 1969

Justification: Former Minister of Popular Power for Education. Former President of the Presidential Commission for the illegitimate National Constituent Assembly. Responsible for undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela through his role in leading the establishment of the illegitimate Constituent Assembly. Other information: Minister of Popular Power for Education. Modifications: Listed on 10 Jul 2018, amended on 7 Aug 2019, 22 Nov 2019

SSID: 290-39341 Name: Freddy Alirio Bernal Rosales

Sex: M DOB: 16 Jun 1962 POB: San Cristóbal, Táchira state, Venezuela

Justification: Head of the National Control Centre of the Committee for Local Supply and Production (CLAP) and Protector of Táchira State. Also a Commissioner General of SEBIN. Responsiblethe Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN). As Head of the CLAP and Protector of Táchira State he can call upon Special Forces (FAES) and is able to influence appointments of judges and prosecutors.Responsible for undermining democracy through manipulation of CLAP programme distributions amongst voters. Additionally, as Commissioner General of SEBIN, he is responsible for SEBIN’sSEBIN’s activities which include serious human rights violations such as arbitrary detention. Modifications: Listed on 10 Jul 2018, amended on 7 Aug 2019, 22 Nov 2019

SSID: 290-40995 Name: Nestor Neptali Blanco Hurtado

Sex: M DOB: 26 Sep 1982 Identification document: ID card No. V-15222057, Venezuela Justification: Major in the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB), operated alongside officials in the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) since at least Dec 2017. Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, the use of excessive force and the mistreatment of detainees in DGCIM facilities. Modifications: Listed on 11 Oct 2019, amended on 22 Nov 2019

SSID: 290-41007 Name: Carlos CalderonAlberto Calderon Chirinos

Sex: M Identification document: ID card No. V-10352300, Venezuela

Justification: Senior office holder (referred to as Commissioner, Director and Director General) in the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN). Responsible for serious human rights violations, including torture, the use of excessive force and the mistreatment of detainees in SEBIN facilities. In particular, he participated in and was responsible for acts of torture and the cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of detainees in El Helicoide, a SEBIN prison. Modifications: Listed on 11 Oct 2019, amended on 22 Nov 2019

Links:

FINMA Notice

Data files of updates – PDF, XML

OFAC publishes updated Venezuela Sanctions Regulations

Publication of Amended Venezuela Sanctions Regulations

11/21/2019

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is amending the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. part 591, to incorporate additional Executive orders, add a general license authorizing U.S. Government activities, and add an interpretive provision.  This regulatory amendment is currently available for public inspection with the Federal Register and will take effect upon publication in the Federal Register on November 22, 2019. 

Links:

OFAC Notice

Amended Venezuela Sanctions Regulations

November 13, 2019: EU, OFSI amend Venezuelan listings

On Wednesday, UK regulators implemented Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1891 by making a number of amendments and corrections:

3. 8 entries, listed in the annex to this Notice, have been amended following the publication of Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1891 on 12 November 2019 and are still subject to an asset freeze.

4. A further 16 entries have been corrected to update identifying information and are still subject to an asset freeze. Details of these corrections can be found in the Annex to this Notice.

Amendments:

1. REVEROL TORRES, Nestor Luis Reverol

DOB: 28/10/1964. Position: Minister for Interior, Justice and Peace. Vice-President of Public Works and Services and Executive Secretary of the Electrical General Staff. Other Information: EU-only listing. Former Commander General of the Bolivarian National Guard. Listed on: 22/01/2018 Last Updated: 22/01/2018 13/11/2019 Group ID: 13580.

2. LUCENARAMIREZ, Tibisay Lucena

DOB: 26/04/1959. Position: President of the National Electoral Council (Consejo Nacional Electoral – CNE) Other Information: EU-only listing Listed on: 22/01/2018 Last Updated: 22/01/2018 13/11/2019 Group ID: 13582.

3. SAAB HALABI, Tarek William Saab

DOB: 10/09/1963. POB: El Tigre, Anzoategui state, Venezuela Position: Venezuelan Attorney General appointed by the Constituent Assembly Other Information: EU- only listing. Previously Ombudsman and President of the Republican Moral Council. Listed on: 22/01/2018 Last Updated: 22/01/2018 13/11/2019 Group ID: 13585.

4. SUAREZ CHOURIO, Jesus Rafael Suarez

DOB: 19/07/1962. Position: General Commander Commander in Chief of the Bolivarian National Army and Chief of the General Staff to the Commander-in-Chief. Other Information: Former General Commander of the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Army. Former Commander of Venezuela’s Comprehensive Defence Region of the Central Zone (REDI Central). Listed on: 26/06/2018 Last Updated: 26/06/2018 13/11/2019 Group ID: 13683.

5. JAUA MILANO, Elias Jose Jaua

DOB: 16/12/1969. Position: Minister of Popular Power for Education Other Information: Former Minister of Popular Power for Education. Former President of the Presidential Commission for the illegitimate National Constituent Assembly. Listed on: 26/06/2018 Last Updated: 26/06/2018 13/11/2019 Group ID: 13688.

6. BERNAL ROSALES, Freddy Alirio Bernal

DOB: 16/06/1962. POB: San Cristobal, Tachira state, Venezuela Position: Head of the National Control Centre of the Committee for Local Supply and Production (CLAP) and Protector of Tachira State. Commissioner General of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN). Other Information: Head of the National Control Centre of the Committee for Local Supply and Production (CLAP) and Commissioner General of SEBIN. Listed on: 26/06/2018 Last Updated: 26/06/2018 13/11/2019 Group ID: 13691.

7. BLANCO HURTADO, Nestor Blanco Neptali

DOB: 26/09/1982. National Identification no: V-15222057 Position: Major in the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) Other Information: Has operated alongside officials in the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Direccion General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) since at least December 2017 Listed on: 27/09/2019 Last Updated: 27/09/2019 13/11/2019 Group ID: 13791.

8. CALDERON CHIRINOS, Carlos Alberto

National Identification no: V-10352300 Position: Senior office holder (referred to as Commissioner, Director and Director General) in the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN). Listed on: 27/09/2019 Last Updated: 27/09/2019 13/11/2019 Group ID: 13793.

Corrections:

1. GRANKO ARTEAGA, Alexander Enrique Granko

DOB: 25/03/1981. National Identification no: V-14970215 Position: Head (Director) of the Special Affairs Division (DAE) of the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Direccion General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) Listed on: 27/09/2019 Last Updated: 27/09/2019 13/11/2019 Group ID: 13796.

2. HERNANDEZ DALA, Ivan Hernandez

DOB: 18/05/1966. Position: Head of Directorate-General of Military Counter- Intelligence Other Information: Head of the Directorate-General of Military Counter- Intelligence (DGCIM) since January 2014 and Head of the Presidential Guard since September 2015. Listed on: 26/06/2018 Last Updated: 26/06/2018 13/11/2019 Group ID: 13685.

3. RODRIGUEZ GOMEZ, Delcy Eloina Rodriguez

DOB: 18/05/1969. Position: Vice President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Other Information: Vice President of Venezuela, former President of the illegitimate Constituent Assembly and former member of the Presidential Commission for the illegitimate National Constituent Assembly. Listed on: 26/06/2018 Last Updated: 26/06/2018 13/11/2019 Group ID: 13687.

4. HERNANDEZ HERNANDEZ, Socorro Elizabeth Hernandez

DOB: 11/03/1952. Other Information: Member (Rector) of the National Electoral Council (CNE) and member of the National Electoral Board (JNE). Listed on: 26/06/2018 Last Updated: 26/06/2018 13/11/2019 Group ID: 13695.

5. EL-AISSAMI MADDAH, Tareck Zaidan El-Aissami

DOB: 12/11/1974. Position: Vice President of Economy and Minister for National Industry and Production Other Information: Former Vice President of Venezuela with oversight of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN). Listed on: 26/06/2018 Last Updated: 26/06/2018 13/11/2019 Group ID: 13679.

6. RIVERO MARCANO, Sergio Jose Rivero

DOB: 08/11/1964. Position: Inspector General of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces Other Information: General Commander of

the Bolivarian National Guard until 16 January 2018. Listed on: 26/06/2018 Last Updated: 26/06/2018 13/11/2019 Group ID: 13680.

7. BLANCO MARRERO, Rafael Ramon Blanco

DOB: 28/02/1968. National Identification no: V-6250588 Position: Deputy Director of the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Direccion General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) and Division General of the Venezuelan Bolivarian National Army Listed on: 27/09/2019 Last Updated: 27/09/2019 13/11/2019 Group ID: 13792.

8. ESCALONA MARRERO Alexis Enrique Escalona

DOB: 12/10/1962. Position: Chief in Charge of the National Office Against Organized Crime and Terrorist Financing (ONDOFT) Other Information: National Commander of the National Anti-Extortion and Kidnapping Command (Comando Nacional Antiextorsion y Secuestro (CONAS) between 2014 and 2017. Listed on: 27/09/2019 Last Updated: 27/09/2019 13/11/2019 Group ID: 13794.

9. GUERRERO MIJARES, Hannover Esteban Guerrero

DOB: 14/01/1971. Other Information: Head of Investigations at the Directorate- General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Direccion General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) from at least April 2019 to August 2019. As Head of Investigations he supervised the DGCIM facility in Boleita. Listed on: 27/09/2019 Last Updated: 27/09/2019 13/11/2019 Group ID: 13797.

10. HARRINGTON PADRON, Katherine Nayarith Harrington

DOB: 05/12/1971. Other Information: Formerly Deputy Prosecutor General (also translated as Deputy Attorney General) from July 2017 until October 2018. Appointed Deputy Prosecutor General by the Supreme Court in violation of the Constitution, rather than by the National Assembly. Listed on: 26/06/2018 Last Updated: 10/07/2019 13/11/2019 Group ID: 13694.

11. MORENO PEREZ, Maikel Jose Moreno

DOB: 12/12/1965. Position: President of the Supreme Court of Justice of Venezuela (Tribunal Supremo de Justicia) Other Information: EU-only listing. Formerly Vice President of the Supreme Court of Justice of Venezuela. Listed on: 22/01/2018 Last Updated: 10/07/2019 13/11/2019 Group ID: 13584.

12. FRANCO QUINTERO, Rafael Antonio Franco

DOB: 14/10/1973. National Identification no: V-11311672 Position: Agent in the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) Other Information: Head of Investigations at the Directorate-General of Military Counter-Intelligence (Direccion General de Contrainteligencia Militar (DGCIM)) between at least 2017 and December 2018 Listed on: 27/09/2019 Last Updated: 27/09/2019 13/11/2019 Group ID: 13795.

13. MORENO REYES, Xavier Antonio Moreno

Position: Secretary-General of the National Electoral Council Other Information: Secretary-General of the National Electoral Council (CNE). Listed on: 26/06/2018 Last Updated: 26/06/2018 13/11/2019 Group ID: 13696.

14. CABELLO RONDON, Diosdado Cabello

DOB: 15/04/1963. Position: President of the Constituent Assembly and First Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Other Information: EU- only listing Listed on: 22/01/2018 Last Updated: 08/11/2018 13/11/2019 Group ID: 13586.

15. BENAVIDES TORRES, Antonio Jose Benavides

DOB: 13/06/1961. Other Information: EU-only listing. Formerly Chief of the Capital District (Distrito Capital) Government until January 2018. General Commander of the Bolivarian National Guard until 21 June 2017. Listed on: 22/01/2018 Last Updated: 10/07/2019 13/11/2019 Group ID: 13583.

16. OBLITAS RUZZA, Sandra Oblitas

DOB: 07/06/1969. Position: Vice President of National Electoral Council Other Information: Vice President of the National Electoral Council (CNE) and President of the Commission of the Electoral and Civilian Register. Listed on: 26/06/2018 Last Updated: 26/06/2018 13/11/2019 Group ID: 13690.

Links:

OFSI Notice

Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1891

November 11, 2019: EU Extends Venezuela sanctions

Venezuela: Council renews sanctions until 14 November 2020

In light of the ongoing political, economic, social and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela with persistent actions undermining democracy, the rule of law and the respect for human rights, the Council today extended the restrictive measures against Venezuela for one year, until 14 November 2020. The measures include an embargo on arms and on equipment for internal repression as well as a travel ban and an asset freeze on 25 listed individuals in official positions who are responsible for human rights violations and/or for undermining democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela.

These measures are intended to help encourage democratic shared solutions in order to bring political stability to the country and allow it to address the pressing needs of the population. The targeted measures are flexible and reversible and designed not to harm the Venezuelan population.

Link:

EU Notice

Restrictive Measures on Venezuela

State Department statement on Tuesday OFAC designations

The United States Takes Action Against Former Maduro Regime Officials and Strengthens International Efforts

PRESS STATEMENT

MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE

NOVEMBER 5, 2019

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On November 5, the United States identified five members of the former Maduro regime and took action against them under the authority of Executive Order (E.O.) 13884.  These individuals include members of the Venezuelan military, Bolivarian National Guard, intelligence service, and the illegitimate Constituent National Assembly and are associated with corruption, human rights abuses, acts of intimidation, and violence.

While Maduro and his associates continue to enrich themselves, the Venezuelan people suffer brutality, violence, and oppression at the hands of the intelligence, security, and armed forces.  Today’s action demonstrates the United States’ continuing commitment to maintain maximum pressure on the former Maduro regime to help ensure a democratic transition in Venezuela.

With our democratic partners in the region and around the world, the United States will continue to support interim President Guaido, the National Assembly, and the people of Venezuela.

Link:

State Department Statement