Exports of Defense Articles and Services to Venezuela

US State Department
Wed, 23 Aug 2006, 01:01

U.S. exporters are advised of an August 17, 2006 Federal Register notice (71 FR 47554) that notifies the public that it is the policy of the U.S. Government to deny all applications for licenses and other approvals to export or otherwise transfer defense articles and services to Venezuela.

Furthermore, all licenses and approvals to export or otherwise transfer defense articles and defense services to Venezuela are revoked. The use of exemptions from licensing as provided for in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) also are revoked with regard to Venezuela with the exception of the license exemptions at section 123.17 for use in connection with certain temporary exports of firearms and ammunition.

This action is taken pursuant to section 38 of the Arms Export Control Act, as amended (AECA, 22 U.S.C. 2778), and relevant provisions of the ITAR in furtherance of the foreign policy of the United States.

In addition, on May 15, 2006, pursuant to Section 40A of the AECA, the Department of State transmitted to Congress a determination and certification by the Secretary of State that Venezuela is not fully cooperating with the antiterrorism efforts of the United States. Accordingly, the statute prohibits the sale or license for export under the AECA of defense articles and defense services to Venezuela during the next fiscal year.

Therefore, as of October 1, 2006, new U.S. sales and licenses for the commercial export of defense articles and defense services to Venezuela will be prohibited. In addition, as a matter of policy, as of October 1, the retransfer to Venezuela of U.S.-origin defense articles and technology will not be permitted.