ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13884Executive OrderTrump 45 · R Quiet signal

Executive Order 13884

Blocking Property of the Government of Venezuela

This executive order blocks all property and interests in property of the Venezuelan government and its entities (including the central bank and state oil company PdVSA) that are within U.S. jurisdiction, and authorizes secondary sanctions on persons who materially support blocked individuals. It also suspends U.S. entry for aliens meeting certain criteria. The order took effect immediately upon signing on August 5, 2019.

Federal Register Open PDF 84 FR 38843

Impact dates

  1. Order effective at 9:00 a.m. EDT — property blocking and entry suspension take effect

Key directives

  • Block all property of Government of Venezuela in U.S. jurisdiction (Sec. 1(a))
  • Authorize blocking of property of persons materially assisting sanctioned persons (Sec. 1(b))
  • Suspend immigrant and nonimmigrant entry of designated aliens (Sec. 2)
  • Prohibit contributions to or from blocked persons (Sec. 3)
  • Prohibit evasion and conspiracy (Sec. 4)
  • Exempt official U.S. government business and humanitarian goods (Sec. 5)
  • Define 'Government of Venezuela' to include PdVSA and Central Bank (Sec. 6(d))
  • Waive prior notice requirement for blocking measures (Sec. 7)
  • Authorize Treasury to implement with State consultation (Sec. 8)

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Property blocking effective 9:00 a.m. EDT August 5, 2019
  • All Venezuelan government assets in U.S. jurisdiction frozen
  • Entry suspension takes effect

Near term (90d)

  • Treasury/State Department designations under Section 1(b)
  • Implementation rules and regulations
  • License determinations for humanitarian transactions

Long term

  • Ongoing sanctions enforcement and compliance
  • Potential secondary sanctions expansion
  • Diplomatic and economic pressure campaign against Maduro government

Risks & tensions

  • Broad definition of 'Government of Venezuela' creates compliance uncertainty for entities with indirect ties
  • Humanitarian exemptions (food, clothing, medicine) require Treasury licensing; operational friction likely
  • Secondary sanctions risk (Sec. 1(b)) could deter non-U.S. persons from Venezuela transactions
  • No prior notice requirement (Sec. 7) limits due process recourse for designated persons
  • Tension between maximum pressure goal and humanitarian access; specific exemption language may be narrower than operational needs
  • PdVSA designation significantly affects global oil markets and U.S. refining capacity for heavy crude
Executive Order 13884: Blocking Property of the Government of Venezuela · Executive Orders