Compliance · Updated June 20, 2026

OFAC Sanctions List & SDN List: Complete Guide (2026)

Comprehensive guide to OFAC sanctions programs, the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list, and how they affect business with Venezuela.

2,300+

SDN Entries (Venezuela)

Active Executive Orders

Regular

Update Frequency

1. What Is the OFAC Sanctions List?

OFAC administers and enforces US economic and trade sanctions against targeted foreign countries, regimes, terrorists, narcotics traffickers, and other threats to national security.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is a division of the US Department of the Treasury. Established during the War of 1812 and formalized in its current form in 1950, OFAC is the primary agency responsible for administering and enforcing economic and trade sanctions based on US foreign policy and national security objectives.

OFAC maintains several sanctions lists, each serving a distinct purpose:

SDN List — Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List. The primary sanctions list containing individuals and entities whose assets are blocked and with whom US persons are generally prohibited from transacting.
Sectoral Sanctions Identifications (SSI) List — Persons operating in sectors of the economy identified under certain Executive Orders (e.g., Venezuela’s oil sector).
Non-SDN Lists — Including the Foreign Sanctions Evaders (FSE) List, the Non-SDN Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) List, and others with varying prohibition levels.
Consolidated Sanctions List — A single downloadable file merging all of the above lists for screening purposes.

Penalties for OFAC Violations

Enforcement

Civil penalty Up to $330,000+ per violation, or twice the value of the underlying transaction (whichever is greater)

Criminal fine Up to $1,000,000 per violation

Imprisonment Up to 20 years per violation

Penalties are adjusted annually for inflation. OFAC published updated penalty guidelines in 2024 under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act. Both intentional violations and negligent failures to screen can result in enforcement actions.

OFAC sanctions are based on authorities granted by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the Trading with the Enemy Act (TWEA), and specific country-based legislation. US persons—including all US citizens, permanent residents, entities organized under US law, and anyone physically located in the United States—must comply with OFAC regulations regardless of where a transaction occurs.

2. The SDN List Explained

The Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List is OFAC’s most consequential sanctions tool. Being placed on the SDN list effectively cuts an individual or entity off from the US financial system.

What Does It Mean to Be on the SDN List?

When OFAC designates a person or entity as a Specially Designated National, two primary consequences follow:

Asset blocking: All property and interests in property of the SDN that are within the United States, or within the possession or control of US persons, are frozen. The SDN cannot access, transfer, or otherwise deal in these assets.
Transaction prohibition: US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions or dealings with the SDN, including financial transfers, trade in goods or services, and any other economic activity.

The 50% Ownership Rule

Under OFAC guidance, any entity that is 50% or more owned, directly or indirectly, by one or more SDNs is itself treated as blocked, even if the entity does not appear on the SDN list by name. This means compliance teams must look beyond the published list and investigate the ownership structure of counterparties.

How Names Get Added (Designation Process)

OFAC designations typically originate from interagency referrals involving the Treasury Department, State Department, and intelligence community. The process generally involves:

Identification of a target based on sanctionable conduct or association
Evidentiary review and legal analysis within OFAC and the Office of the General Counsel
Interagency coordination (State, NSC, Justice, as applicable)
Publication of the designation in the Federal Register

Delisting Procedures

Designated persons may petition OFAC for removal from the SDN list by demonstrating that the circumstances leading to designation no longer apply or that the designation was based on insufficient evidence. The process involves submitting a written petition to OFAC, which will review the request and may consult with other agencies. Delisting can also occur as part of broader diplomatic negotiations, as has happened in the Venezuela context following political transitions.

How to Search the SDN List

OFAC provides a free online search tool at sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov. Users can search by name, ID number, country, or program to identify whether a person or entity appears on the SDN list or other OFAC lists.

Check Venezuela SDN Entries Instantly

Use our purpose-built sanctions checker to search all Venezuela-related OFAC designations, with context on each entry and related general licenses.

Search Venezuela SDN →

3. Venezuela Sanctions Program

The US sanctions program targeting Venezuela is one of OFAC’s most complex, built through multiple Executive Orders and modified by dozens of General Licenses.

Executive Orders

Five Executive Orders form the legal backbone of the Venezuela sanctions program. Each targets different aspects of the Venezuelan government and economy:

Executive Order	Date	Scope
E.O. 13692	Mar 2015	Initial authority to sanction persons undermining democratic processes, involved in human rights abuses, corruption, or political repression in Venezuela
E.O. 13808	Aug 2017	Restricted dealings in new debt and equity of the Venezuelan government, PDVSA, and any entity owned or controlled by them
E.O. 13827	Mar 2018	Prohibited transactions involving the Venezuelan government’s issuance of digital currency (the “Petro” cryptocurrency)
E.O. 13835	May 2018	Prohibited the purchase of debt owed to the Venezuelan government, including invoices and accounts receivable
E.O. 13850	Nov 2018	Authorized blocking of persons operating in Venezuela’s gold sector; later amended by E.O. 13857 (Jan 2019) to clarify that PDVSA is subject to blocking
E.O. 13884	Aug 2019	Broadest authority: blocked all property and interests in property of the Government of Venezuela, with limited exceptions

Post-Transition Scope (2026)

Following the political transition in Venezuela in January 2026, the sanctions landscape has shifted significantly. While the Executive Orders remain technically in effect, the Treasury Department has issued new and amended General Licenses to facilitate legitimate economic activity in support of the transitional government. The practical scope of sanctions enforcement is now focused on individuals and entities associated with the former Maduro government and its illicit financial networks.

Key General Licenses

General Licenses (GLs) authorize activities that would otherwise be prohibited under the Executive Orders. They do not require individual application—any US person meeting the GL’s conditions may rely on it. Key active GLs for Venezuela include:

GL 5H — Citgo Operations

Petroleum · Active

Authorizes transactions related to the maintenance of operations and contracts of Citgo Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiaries. Citgo, a US-based subsidiary of PDVSA, is managed by an ad hoc board recognized by the transitional government.

GL 46B — Debt Transactions

Finance · Active

Authorizes certain transactions involving bonds issued by the Government of Venezuela and PDVSA, including secondary-market trading of existing debt instruments. Does not authorize new lending to the Venezuelan government.

GL 50A — Oil Operations

Energy · Active

Authorizes transactions related to oil and gas operations in Venezuela involving specified companies. Originally issued as a six-month license, it has been renewed and amended to support the transition-era energy sector.

GL 52 — New Investment

Investment · Active

Authorizes new investment in Venezuela in certain sectors, issued in connection with the political transition. Subject to conditions including compliance with anti-corruption requirements and reporting obligations to OFAC.

Venezuela General License Navigator

Explore all active OFAC General Licenses for Venezuela with plain-English summaries, scope analysis, and expiration tracking.

View All General Licenses →

4. Key Sanctioned Entities (Venezuela)

Major Venezuelan government entities and state-owned enterprises that have been designated under the Venezuela sanctions program.

Entity	Type	Primary EO	Status
PDVSA (Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A.)	State oil company	E.O. 13850	Blocked; GL 50A applies
CVP (Corporación Venezolana del Petróleo)	PDVSA subsidiary	E.O. 13850	Blocked (50% rule)
Bandes (Banco de Desarrollo Económico y Social)	State development bank	E.O. 13884	Blocked
Conviasa	State airline	E.O. 13884	Blocked
Banco Central de Venezuela	Central bank	E.O. 13884	Blocked; under review
Minerven	State mining company	E.O. 13850	Blocked (gold sector)
CANTV	State telecom	E.O. 13884	Blocked (Gov’t of Venezuela)

Post-transition note: Following the January 2026 political transition, OFAC has initiated a review of Venezuela-related designations. Some entities associated with the former government may be delisted or have their status modified in connection with the democratic transition. Check the latest SDN list for current designations.

5. How to Check the OFAC Sanctions List

Step-by-step guide to searching OFAC’s official sanctions database and integrating screening into your compliance workflow.

Using OFAC’s Sanctions List Search Tool

Navigate to sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov
Enter the name, alias, or ID number of the person or entity you want to screen. OFAC’s search supports partial name matching and phonetic variations.
Optionally filter by Program (e.g., “VENEZUELA”) or Type (individual, entity, vessel, aircraft) to narrow results.
Review the results. Each entry shows the SDN name, program, aliases, addresses, nationality, date of birth, and identification documents.
If you find a potential match, review the full SDN entry and any associated General Licenses before making a compliance determination. When in doubt, consult legal counsel.

SDN List Downloads

For automated screening, OFAC provides the full SDN list in multiple machine-readable formats:

CSV Format

Flat file

Comma-separated values suitable for spreadsheet analysis and database import. Available from the OFAC website.

XML Format

Structured data

Full structured data including all aliases, addresses, and identification documents. Preferred for automated compliance systems.

PDF Format

Reference

Human-readable list published periodically. Useful for reference but not recommended for automated screening.

Third-Party Screening Tools

Many financial institutions and businesses use commercial sanctions screening software that integrates OFAC data with other sanctions lists (EU, UN, UK, Canada). These tools typically offer fuzzy-name matching, real-time updates, and audit-trail features that exceed the capabilities of OFAC’s free tool. Major providers include Dow Jones Risk & Compliance, Refinitiv World-Check, and LexisNexis.

Venezuela-Specific Sanctions Checker

Our free screening tool covers all Venezuela-program SDN entries with enhanced context, related General Licenses, and entity relationship mapping.

Check Venezuela SDN List →

6. Compliance Best Practices

A robust OFAC compliance program is essential for any organization conducting business with or involving Venezuela. OFAC has published detailed guidance on the elements of an effective compliance program.

Know Your Customer (KYC)

Foundation

Establish robust KYC procedures that include beneficial ownership identification. The 50% rule means you must determine not just who your direct counterparty is, but who ultimately owns and controls them. Enhanced due diligence is required for Venezuelan counterparties.

Transaction Screening

Ongoing

Screen all parties to a transaction—including intermediaries, beneficial owners, and end users—against the SDN list and other OFAC lists before processing. Re-screen existing relationships whenever OFAC updates its lists (typically multiple times per month).

Record Keeping

Regulatory

Maintain records of all compliance screening, due diligence, and blocked or rejected transactions for at least five years. OFAC may request documentation during examinations. Records should include screening methodology, results, and any follow-up analysis.

Voluntary Self-Disclosure

Enforcement

If you discover an apparent OFAC violation, voluntary self-disclosure (VSD) to OFAC is a significant mitigating factor in enforcement proceedings. OFAC’s Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide that VSD can reduce the base civil penalty by up to 50%.

When to consult legal counsel: Any transaction involving Venezuela, Venezuelan nationals, or entities with Venezuelan government connections should be reviewed by counsel experienced in US sanctions law. This is especially important during the current transition period, where the status of many designations and General Licenses is evolving rapidly.

7. Recent Changes (2026)

The Venezuela sanctions program has undergone significant changes following the political transition in early 2026.

January 2026

Political Transition in Venezuela

Following the contested 2024 presidential election and sustained international pressure, a political transition begins in Venezuela. The US government signals willingness to recalibrate sanctions in response to democratic progress.

January–February 2026

New General Licenses Issued

Treasury issues amended and new General Licenses (including GL 50A and GL 52) to facilitate legitimate investment and oil operations in support of the transitional government. These GLs mark the most significant easing of Venezuela sanctions since the program’s expansion in 2019.

February–March 2026

Targeted Delistings Begin

OFAC begins targeted delistings of individuals and entities associated with the former Maduro government who cooperated with the transition process. The focus shifts from broad economic sanctions to targeted measures against individuals involved in corruption, narcotics trafficking, and human rights abuses.

Q2 2026

Comprehensive Sanctions Review

Treasury conducts a comprehensive review of the Venezuela sanctions program, with potential for further modifications contingent on continued democratic progress. Results expected by mid-2026.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the OFAC sanctions list, the SDN list, and Venezuela sanctions, answered in plain English.

The OFAC sanctions list is a collection of lists maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (part of the US Treasury Department) that identify individuals, companies, and entities subject to US economic sanctions. The most well-known is the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List. US persons are generally prohibited from doing business with anyone on these lists, and their assets within US jurisdiction must be blocked (frozen).

The SDN List is OFAC's primary sanctions list containing individuals and entities whose assets are blocked. The Consolidated Sanctions List (also called the Non-SDN Consolidated List) combines several other OFAC lists — including the Sectoral Sanctions Identifications (SSI) List, the Foreign Sanctions Evaders List, and others — into a single searchable file. For comprehensive compliance screening, organizations should check both the SDN List and the Consolidated List.

OFAC provides a free online search tool at sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov. You can search by name, address, country, or ID number. The tool uses fuzzy matching to catch name variations. For Venezuela-specific checks, you can also use our free OFAC Venezuela Sanctions Checker tool, which cross-references the SDN list with our curated Venezuela entity database.

Yes, but with significant restrictions. Following the January 2026 political transition, OFAC has issued several General Licenses that authorize specific activities: GL 50A allows six named oil companies to operate JVs with PDVSA; GL 52 authorizes new US-person investment in Venezuela's oil sector. However, transactions with SDN-listed individuals or entities remain prohibited unless specifically authorized. Always consult qualified legal counsel before engaging in any Venezuela-related transactions.

OFAC sanctions violations carry severe penalties. Civil penalties can reach up to $330,947 per violation (adjusted annually for inflation) or twice the value of the transaction, whichever is greater. Criminal penalties can include fines up to $1,000,000 and imprisonment for up to 20 years per violation. Both individuals and corporations can be held liable. OFAC encourages voluntary self-disclosure, which is treated as a mitigating factor in enforcement actions.

OFAC updates the SDN List on a rolling basis — there is no fixed schedule. Additions, removals, and modifications can happen multiple times per week. OFAC publishes changes to the Federal Register and posts updated list files on its website. Compliance programs should screen against the most current version of the list and have processes to incorporate updates promptly.

A General License is a blanket authorization issued by OFAC that allows all US persons (or a defined subset) to engage in transactions that would otherwise be prohibited by sanctions. Unlike a specific license — which is granted to a particular applicant — a general license does not require an application. For Venezuela, key general licenses include GL 5H (Citgo operations), GL 50A (oil JV operations for six named companies), and GL 52 (new investment).

Partially. E.O. 13808 (August 2017) prohibits dealings in new debt issued by the Government of Venezuela or PDVSA after August 25, 2017. GL 46B provides limited authorization for dealings in certain PDVSA debt instruments for restructuring purposes. Secondary-market trading in pre-August 2017 bonds is generally permitted but subject to compliance review. The PDVSA 2020 bond situation is particularly complex due to the Citgo collateral and competing creditor claims.

The SDN list — Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List — is the primary sanctions list maintained by OFAC. It contains the names of individuals, companies, vessels, and other entities whose assets are blocked (frozen) under US jurisdiction. US persons are broadly prohibited from transacting with anyone on the SDN list. For Venezuela, the SDN list includes over 150 designated individuals and entities, including former government officials, PDVSA subsidiaries, military officers, and intermediaries linked to narcotics trafficking and corruption. The list is updated on a rolling basis and can be searched at sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov or through our free OFAC Venezuela Sanctions Checker tool.

The SDN List (Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List) is OFAC’s primary sanctions list, containing individuals and entities whose assets are fully blocked. The Consolidated Sanctions List is a single downloadable file that merges the SDN list with all other OFAC lists—including the Sectoral Sanctions Identifications (SSI) List, the Foreign Sanctions Evaders (FSE) List, and others. For comprehensive screening, compliance teams should use the Consolidated Sanctions List, as prohibitions may apply under non-SDN lists as well.

It depends on the nature of the business and the parties involved. Following the January 2026 political transition, OFAC has issued General Licenses authorizing certain categories of activity, including oil operations (GL 50A) and new investment (GL 52). However, broad sanctions under E.O. 13884 remain in effect, and any transaction involving SDN-listed parties or the former Maduro government apparatus remains prohibited. All Venezuela-related business activities should be reviewed by legal counsel experienced in US sanctions law before proceeding.

OFAC violations can result in severe penalties. Civil penalties can reach $330,000+ per violation or twice the value of the underlying transaction. Criminal penalties include fines up to $1,000,000 and imprisonment of up to 20 years per willful violation. OFAC enforces on a strict liability basis, meaning that even unintentional violations can result in penalties. Voluntary self-disclosure of violations is a significant mitigating factor. Companies and individuals may also face reputational harm, loss of banking relationships, and regulatory scrutiny.

OFAC updates the SDN list on a rolling basis, with changes published as they occur rather than on a fixed schedule. In practice, the list is typically updated multiple times per month, and sometimes multiple times per week. New designations, amendments, and removals are published in the Federal Register and on OFAC’s website. Compliance teams should subscribe to OFAC’s email notifications and re-screen counterparties whenever updates are published.

PDVSA and the Government of Venezuela remain on the SDN list. However, General License 46B authorizes certain secondary-market transactions involving existing Venezuelan sovereign and PDVSA-issued debt. This means holders can trade existing bonds on secondary markets, but new lending to or bond purchases directly from the Venezuelan government or PDVSA remain restricted unless specifically authorized. The status of bond sanctions may evolve as OFAC continues its post-transition review. Consult legal counsel before transacting in Venezuelan sovereign or PDVSA debt.

A General License is a standing authorization issued by OFAC that permits certain categories of transactions that would otherwise be prohibited under a sanctions program. Unlike a Specific License, which is granted on a case-by-case basis to a particular applicant, a General License is available to anyone who meets the stated conditions. General Licenses for the Venezuela program authorize activities such as oil operations (GL 50A), Citgo-related transactions (GL 5H), bond trading (GL 46B), and new investment (GL 52). Reliance on a General License should be documented in your compliance records.

Every OFAC Venezuela general license

Plain-English analysis of each active and superseded general license under the Venezuela sanctions program — scope, expiry, and what each one authorizes.

Related Coverage

Explore related tools and analysis on Caracas Research.

Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. OFAC sanctions regulations are complex and subject to frequent change. Organizations and individuals should consult qualified legal counsel before engaging in any transactions involving Venezuela or Venezuelan parties. Information is current as of June 20, 2026 and may change as OFAC issues new guidance.

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Sources: US Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control; Federal Register notices; Executive Orders 13692, 13808, 13827, 13835, 13850, 13884; OFAC General Licenses; OFAC Sanctions List Search (sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov). All referenced regulatory documents are part of the public record.