Collection

UK sanctions relating to Venezuela

This page provides guidance on the UK’s sanctions regime relating to Venezuela

• From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
• Published: 31 January 2019
• Last updated: 10 October 2024 — See all updates

The Venezuela sanctions regime

The Venezuela (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 came fully into force on 31 December 2020. They are intended to ensure that certain financial, trade and immigration sanctions relating to Venezuela continue to operate effectively.

You should also review the Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 2) Regulations 2020 and the Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 4) Regulations 2020 to find out any amendments made to the Regulations.

This sanctions regime is aimed at encouraging the government of Venezuela to respect democratic principles, to comply with international human rights law and to respect human rights.

These regulations have replaced, with substantially the same effect, relevant existing EU legislation and related UK regulations.

Those persons who are designated under this regime are included on the UK sanctions list.

Find out more about other UK sanctions regimes.

Contact details

For further information on financial sanctions: contact the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation OFSI@hmtreasury.gov.uk or subscribe to the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation’s e-alerts

For further information on export controls and trade sanctions relating to the export of goods and provision of ancillary services: contact the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU).  

For further information on trade sanctions relating to the provision of professional and business services and other standalone services: contact the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI). 

For further information on import controls: contact the Department for Business and Trade (DBT)’s Import Licensing Branch on importcontrols@businessandtrade.gov.uk

For further information on transport sanctions: contact the Department for Transport on transportsanctions@dft.gov.uk

For general information on sanctions: contact the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s Sanctions Directorate on Fcdo.correspondence@fcdo.gov.uk

Documents

The Venezuela (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019

An explanatory memorandum accompanies the regulations, providing further information on their provisions.

Section 2(4) of the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018: report

Section 18 of the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 in relation to criminal offences: report

• Venezuela sanctions: guidance
  • 10 October 2024
  • Statutory guidance
• Interception and monitoring prohibitions in sanctions: technical guidance
  • 17 October 2023
  • Guidance

Published 31 January 2019
Last updated 10 October 2024 + show all updates

1. 10 October 2024

   Amended contact details for the Department for Business and Trade (DBT)’s 3 licensing bodies that relate to trade sanctions, including the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI), which took over civil enforcement for sanctions in October 2024.

2. 31 December 2020

   The UK's sanctions framework has changed.

3. 1 February 2019

   added financial sanctions guidance

4. 31 January 2019

   First published.