Treasury Slaps Sanctions on Drug Traders and Venezuelan Troublemakers
Published Date: 12/31/2025
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Treasury’s OFAC just blocked the property of two individuals tied to illegal drug trade and Venezuelan unrest, meaning Americans can’t do business with them anymore. These changes took effect on December 11, 2025, freezing any U.S.-based assets they have. If you’re a U.S. person, watch out—dealing with these folks could cost you big time!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
U.S. persons barred; assets frozen
On December 11, 2025, the Treasury’s OFAC added named people and organizations to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) List. All property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction of those persons are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.
Oil-sector companies and tankers designated
OFAC designated multiple companies and crude-oil tankers linked to the Venezuelan oil sector (listed under E.O. 13850) as blocked, effective December 11, 2025. Those entities and vessels are identified as property in which a blocked person has an interest and are subject to blocking and the prohibition on transactions by U.S. persons.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-16573, Notice of OFAC Sanctions Action
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is publishing the names of one or more persons that have been placed on OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) based on OFAC's determination that one or more applicable legal criteria were satisfied. All property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction of these persons are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.
2026-16153, Notice of OFAC Sanctions Actions
The U.S. Treasury’s OFAC updated its sanctions list by unblocking one company and two aircraft, meaning their U.S. assets are now free to use. Meanwhile, they updated info on a person from Iraq who remains blocked, keeping their assets frozen. These changes took effect on August 5, 2026, impacting who can access money or property under U.S. rules.
2026-15996, Notice of OFAC Sanctions Action
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is publishing the names of one or more persons that have been placed on OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) based on OFAC's determination that one or more applicable legal criteria were satisfied. All property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction of these persons are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.
2026-15849, Notice of OFAC Sanctions Action
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is publishing the names of one or more persons and vessels that have been placed on OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) based on OFAC's determination that one or more applicable legal criteria were satisfied. All property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction of these persons are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. The vessels placed on the SDN List have been identified as property in which a blocked person has an interest.
2026-15785, Notice of OFAC Sanctions Action
On July 30, 2026, OFAC lifted sanctions on Cagri Duransoy, unblocking his property and allowing normal dealings again. At the same time, OFAC added new people, like Xin Tang from China, to the sanctions list, freezing their U.S.-based assets and banning U.S. folks from doing business with them. These moves shake up who can and can’t access money or property under U.S. rules, effective immediately.
2026-15356, Notice of OFAC Sanctions Action
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is publishing the names of one or more persons that have been placed on OFAC's Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) based on OFAC's determination that one or more applicable legal criteria were satisfied. All property and interests in property subject to U.S. jurisdiction of these persons are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.
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