U.S.–Venezuela rules changed significantly in 2026. OFAC's Venezuela-related sanctions program remains in force and has been amended through general licenses; check the current rules on OFAC's Venezuela page (https://ofac.treasury.gov/sanctions-programs-and-country-information/venezuela-related-sanctions) and talk to a qualified lawyer. This is general information, not legal advice.
This article does not tell you what is or is not legally permitted for you. That depends on who you are, where your money comes from, who the other parties are, and the exact wording of the licenses in force on the day you act. What follows is a list of practical checks.
What We Can Say
- OFAC's Venezuela-related sanctions program has not been removed. It has been amended, and the changes are published as general licenses and FAQs on OFAC's Venezuela page.
- General licenses can be issued, amended, narrowed or revoked. The wording in force today may differ from what you read last month.
- Rules in other countries (the EU, the UK, Canada and others) are separate from the U.S. rules and can differ.
Practical Checks Before You Buy
1. Read the current OFAC general licenses and FAQs. Start at OFAC's Venezuela page and read the licenses themselves, not summaries of them. Note the date of the version you read.
2. Talk to a qualified lawyer. Ideally one familiar with U.S. sanctions in your home country, plus a licensed Venezuelan real estate attorney (abogado inmobiliario) for the local side of the transaction.
3. Ask your bank how payments will work. Ask specifically whether they will send or receive a transfer for a Venezuelan property purchase, which correspondent banks are involved, and what documents they will need. Do this before you sign anything or pay a deposit.
4. Screen the counterparties. Your lawyer can check the seller, any agent, and any company involved against OFAC's sanctions lists.
5. Verify title and the registry. Have your attorney confirm the seller's ownership at the local Registro Inmobiliario, check for liens and encumbrances, and confirm the boundaries match the registered description.
6. Work with a local agent you have checked yourself. Ask for their license and references, and speak to past clients if you can.
7. Visit before you commit. Photos and videos cannot tell you about water supply, access roads, security or the condition of a building.
What We Don't Do
We don't publish price forecasts. We don't publish yield or appreciation estimates: we don't yet have verified rental or sale-price data. Ask owners for actual booking history and get an independent valuation.
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