VENEECONOMIST
OFAC GENERAL LICENSEActiveCross-sector

GL 53

GL 53 — Official Missions of the Government of Venezuela to the United States

Issued

Mar 24, 2026

Expiration

No expiration

Authorized entity

Misiones oficiales del Gobierno de Venezuela en EE.UU. y misiones permanentes ante organismos internacionales

Type

General

Regulation

31 CFR part 591 (VSR)

Executive orders

Signatory

Bradley T. Smith, Director, OFAC

Signed

Mar 24, 2026

Scope

Authorizes provision of goods and services in the U.S. to official Government of Venezuela missions (embassy and consulates) and to permanent missions to international organizations headquartered in the U.S. Allows U.S. financial institutions to operate accounts, process funds transfers, and extend credit to mission employees.

Authorized parties

Misiones oficiales del Gobierno de Venezuela ante EE.UU.Misiones permanentes ante organizaciones internacionales en EE.UU.Empleados de las misiones y sus familiares/dependientes

Authorized activities

  • ·Provisión de bienes y servicios a la embajada y consulados de Venezuela
  • ·Provisión de bienes y servicios a misiones permanentes (OEA, ONU, etc.)
  • ·Cuentas bancarias y transferencias para empleados de las misiones
  • ·Crédito al consumo y servicios financieros para empleados (uso personal o familiar)

Prohibited activities

  • ·Compra de bienes para reventa
  • ·Compra, venta, financiamiento o refinanciamiento de bienes raíces

Conditions

  • ·Los bienes o servicios deben ser para asuntos oficiales de la misión o uso personal de empleados, y no para reventa
  • ·No incluye compra, venta, financiamiento ni refinanciamiento de bienes inmuebles
  • ·La transacción no debe estar de otro modo prohibida por la ley

VENE · ECONOMIST Analysis

Fact
OFAC publicó GL 53 el 24 de marzo de 2026, restableciendo el marco operativo para misiones diplomáticas de Venezuela en EE.UU. después de años de operación irregular bajo licencias específicas caso por caso.
Implication
Señal de normalización diplomática parcial. Permite el restablecimiento operativo de la sección consular en Washington y misiones ante OEA/ONU. Para inversores: reduce fricción de visa/notariales en transacciones que requieren documentos consulares (poderes, certificaciones de nacimiento, apostillas).
Indicator to monitor
Reapertura formal de la sección consular en EE.UU. Volumen de trámites consulares procesados (datos del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores). Designación de embajador o encargado de negocios.
Official license textShow

General License No. 53 — Official Missions of the Government of Venezuela to the United States

(a) All transactions prohibited by the VSR related to the provision of goods or services in the United States to official missions of the Government of Venezuela to the United States or to permanent missions to international organizations in the United States (the "missions"), and payment for such goods or services, are authorized, provided that: (1) the goods or services are for the official business of the missions, or for personal use of employees (or family/dependents sharing a common dwelling), and not for resale; (2) the transaction does not involve the purchase, sale, financing, or refinancing of real property; and (3) the transaction is not otherwise prohibited by law.

(b) The provision of goods or services in the U.S. to employees of the missions (or family/dependents), and payment therefor, are authorized for personal use and not for resale, provided the transaction is not otherwise prohibited by law.

(c) 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 limitations in paragraphs (a) and (b).

Bradley T. Smith — Director, OFAC. Dated: March 24, 2026.

Official source

This summary does not constitute legal advice. The final determination of scope and applicability of any OFAC license requires consultation with qualified legal counsel and review of the official text published by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. VENE · ECONOMIST maintains this page as editorial reference for institutional investors.

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