The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week issued new guidance for providing humanitarian aid to sanctioned jurisdictions. The six-page fact sheet describes recently issued or revised general licenses available to international organizations, nongovernmental organizations and others, including what types of activities are allowed and what types of transactions banks can authorize.

The U.S. announced a new, sweeping set of export controls and sanctions last week to further hobble Russia on the one-year anniversary of its invasion of Ukraine, including additions to the Entity List, an expansion of industry sector restrictions on both Russia and Belarus, new export controls against Iran to address its drone transfers to Russia, and new financial sanctions against more than 100 people and entities. Many of the measures, which were announced alongside similar actions by U.S. G-7 allies, aim to “cut off the Russian defense industrial base and military from even low-technology consumer items,” the Bureau of Industry and Security said.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week published previously issued general licenses under its Global Magnitsky Sanctions Regulations and Nicaragua Sanctions Regulations. The full text of each license appears in its respective notice.

The Bureau of Industry and Security announced a host of new export control actions aimed at further limiting Russia from sustaining its war effort against Ukraine, including additions to the Entity List, an expansion of the agency’s industry sector restrictions on both Russia and Belarus and new export controls against Iran to address its drone transfers to Russia. The measures, effective Feb. 24, add 86 new entities to the Entity List; place additional restrictions on commercial, industrial and luxury goods; impose new license requirements on “low-technology” items destined to Iran; create a new Iran Foreign Direct Product Rule, and more.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week sanctioned a network of people and companies involved in illegal methamphetamine and fentanyl trade, including six Mexican nationals who are members of the Sinaloa Cartel. OFAC also designated six Mexico-based entities with ties to the illegal drug trade.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control issued new guidance this week on aid-related transactions that can be provided to Syria to help the country’s earthquake relief efforts. OFAC said it has been receiving questions from non-governmental organizations and others on how to provide aid to Syria while still complying with U.S. sanctions against the country. The guidance includes information on the Syria general license the agency issued earlier this month (see 2302100006), and addresses some frequently asked questions surrounding what activities and transactions are permitted.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week published previously issued general licenses under its Venezuela sanctions regime. The full text of each license appears in the notice.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week published previously issued general licenses under its Russian Harmful Foreign Activities Sanctions Regulations. The full text of each license appears in the notice.

The Bureau of Industry and Security this week suspended the export privileges of two Canadian residents after they tried to ship controlled goods without the required licenses.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week published previously issued general licenses under its Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations and two sets of licenses under its Venezuela sanctions program. The full text of each license appears in the respective notice.