OFAC publishes Spanish translations of five general licenses: the operational signal Latin America cannot ignore
OFAC had never published simultaneous translations of general licenses for Venezuela. The gesture is operational, not symbolic.
OFAC had never previously published simultaneous translations of general licenses for Venezuela. The move is operational, not symbolic: GL 46B, 47, 48A, 49A, and 50A cover everything from crude oil trading to electricity, investment, and major operator activities. The translation lowers the compliance barrier for Latin American companies and signals that Washington expects a flow of transactions from the region.
OFAC does not translate documents as a courtesy. It does so when it anticipates a volume of counterparts who do not operate in English. Historically, sanctions licenses were published exclusively in English because the audience was exclusively American. Publishing simultaneous translations of five licenses indicates that the Treasury expects a volume of inquiries and transactions from Latin America that justifies the effort.
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