OFAC Issues General License 60A Extending Earthquake Relief Authorizations for Venezuela and Updates FAQ 1263

On October 16, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued General License 60A (GL 60A), replacing and superseding GL 60 in its entirety. Concurrently, OFAC updated Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) 1263 to align official guidance with the revised license provisions and update cross-references to current Venezuela-related general licenses.

GL 60A maintains the framework authorizing earthquake relief operations while introducing key timeline extensions and financial compliance rules:

1. Extension of Humanitarian Relief Authorization

• Extension of Expiration Date. GL 60A extends the authorization for all transactions ordinarily incident and necessary to earthquake relief efforts in Venezuela—otherwise prohibited under the Venezuela Sanctions Regulations (VSR, 31 CFR part 591)—through 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, April 21, 2027 (extending the prior October 23, 2026 deadline).
• Third-Country Funds Transfers. U.S. financial institutions and registered money transmitters continue to be authorized to process or transfer funds on behalf of third-country persons to or from Venezuela in support of authorized relief transactions, provided they do not know or have reason to know of non-compliance.

2. FGDF Payment Exemption and Restrictions (FAQ 1263)

• Exemption from FGDF Requirement. Updated FAQ 1263 confirms that GL 60A does not require payments made to the Government of Venezuela (such as local taxes, tolls, and official fees directly connected to relief efforts) to be deposited into the Foreign Government Deposit Funds (FGDF).
• Preservation of FGDF Compliance Rules for Non-Relief Activities. OFAC explicitly cautions that payments for activities outside the scope of earthquake relief authorized under other Venezuela general licenses (including GLs 46E, 48C, 49B, 50C, 51D, 52C, and 54C) must continue to be paid into the FGDF. Such commercial transactions may not be recharacterized as earthquake relief or otherwise modified to evade FGDF requirements.

3. Scope & Limitations

• No Property Unblocking. GL 60A does not authorize the unblocking of any property blocked pursuant to the VSR.
• General Prohibitions. The authorization does not exempt entities from obligations under other Executive Orders, parts of 31 CFR Chapter V, or requirements of other U.S. federal agencies not explicitly referenced in GL 60A.

Disclaimer

This report is prepared for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The interpretation and application of OFAC sanctions regulations are a complex area of U.S. law. Companies are strongly encouraged to consult qualified U.S. sanctions counsel before taking any action in reliance on General License 60A or associated OFAC guidance. LEC Abogados is a Venezuelan law firm and does not practice U.S. law or provide advice on OFAC regulations. Information is current as of the date of publication.