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3/19/2020

Treasury Sanctions Companies Operating in the Oil Sector of the Venezuelan Economy and Transporting Oil to Cuba | U.S. Department …

Treasury Sanctions Companies Operating in the Oil Sector of the
Venezuelan Economy and Transporting Oil to Cuba
April 5, 2019

Washington – Today, the Department of the Treasury’s O ice of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
designated two companies operating in the oil sector of the Venezuelan economy, pursuant to
E.O. 13850, as amended. Additionally, OFAC identified one vessel, which transported oil from
Venezuela to Cuba, as blocked property that is owned by one of these companies. Separately,
OFAC is also identifying 34 vessels as blocked property of Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PdVSA),
which was designated on January 28, 2019, for operating in the oil sector of the Venezuelan
economy. The United States continues to take strong action against the illegitimate regime of
former President Nicolas Maduro, not only to isolate corrupt Venezuelan enterprises, but also to
target Maduro’s supporters in Havana who continue to enable the oppression of the people of
Venezuela.
“Cuba has been an underlying force fueling Venezuela’s descent into crisis. Treasury is taking
action against vessels and entities transporting oil, providing a lifeline to keep the illegitimate
Maduro regime afloat,” said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. “Cuba continues to profit
from, and prop up, the illegitimate Maduro regime through oil-for-repression schemes as they
attempt to keep Maduro in power. The United States remains committed to a transition to
democracy in Venezuela and to holding the Cuban regime accountable for its direct involvement
in Venezuela’s demise.”
The relationship between Cuba and Venezuela hinges on a two-decade long political, security,
and economic alliance, particularly given Cuba’s reliance on a barter system for Venezuelan oil
imports. Cuba is a major importer of crude oil from Venezuela, and in return, sends assistance
to Venezuela in the form of political advisors, intelligence and military o icials, and medical
professionals, all of whom are used to ensure Maduro’s hold on power and complete social
control over the people of Venezuela. Cuba’s influence has contributed to Venezuela’s failure.
Maduro continues to send aid to Cuba as Venezuelans su er from a deepening humanitarian
crisis while denying entry to food, medicine, and other supplies provided by the United States
and our allies and partners.
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3/19/2020

Treasury Sanctions Companies Operating in the Oil Sector of the Venezuelan Economy and Transporting Oil to Cuba | U.S. Department …

Today’s action sheds light on the lifeline that Venezuela’s oil industry provides to the illegitimate
regime of former President Maduro, targeting two companies that operate in the oil sector of the
Venezuelan economy, delivering oil to Cuba on the vessel, Despina Andrianna:
Despina Andrianna is a crude oil tanker (IMO: 9182667) that delivered crude oil from
Venezuela to Cuba during February and March of 2019.
Ballito Bay Shipping Incorporated is based in Monrovia, Liberia, and is the registered
owner of the vessel, Despina Andrianna.
ProPer In Management Incorporated is based in the port city of Piraeus, Athens, Greece,
and is the operator of the vessel, Despina Andrianna.
Additionally, OFAC identified the following 34 vessels as blocked property as PdVSA has an
interest in such vessels:
AMAPOLA 1
AMUAY
BICENTENARIO I
BICENTENARIO II
BICENTENARIO III
BICENTENARIO IV
BICENTENARIO V
BICENTENARIO VI
BICENTENARIO VII
BICENTENARIO VIII
BICENTENARIO IX
BICENTENARIO X
BICENTENARIO XI
BICENTENARIO XII
BICENTENARIO XIII
BICENTENARIO XIV
BICENTENARIO XV
BICENTENARIO XVI
CARIBE
CAYAURIMA
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Treasury Sanctions Companies Operating in the Oil Sector of the Venezuelan Economy and Transporting Oil to Cuba | U.S. Department …

CUMANAGOTO
GARDENIA
GP-21
GP-23
JAZMIN
L-409
MANAURE
MARA
MARGARITA 1
PDVSA CARDON
SABANETA
TRIBILIN
URDANETA
YORACO
For information about the methods that Venezuelan senior political figures, their associates,
and front persons use to move and hide corrupt proceeds, including how they try to exploit the
U.S. financial system and real estate market, please refer to Treasury’s Financial Crimes
Enforcement Network (FinCEN) advisories FIN-2017-A006
Corruption in Venezuela,” and FIN-2017-A003

, “Advisory on Widespread Public

, “Advisory to Financial Institutions and Real

Estate Firms and Professionals.”
As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of these entities, and of any
entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by the designated entities, that
are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be
reported to OFAC. OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all dealings by U.S. persons or within
(or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked or
designated persons.
U.S. sanctions need not be permanent; sanctions are intended to bring about a positive change
of behavior. The United States has made clear that the removal of sanctions is available for
persons designated under E.O. 13692 or E.O. 13850, both as amended, who take concrete and
meaningful actions to restore democratic order, refuse to take part in human rights abuses,
speak out against abuses committed by the Maduro regime, and combat corruption in
Venezuela.
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Treasury Sanctions Companies Operating in the Oil Sector of the Venezuelan Economy and Transporting Oil to Cuba | U.S. Department …

For identifying information please click here.

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