SUMMARY
The U.S. Department of the Treasury, through OFAC, designated then-Vice President of Venezuela Tareck El Aissami under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, accusing him of playing a significant role in international drug trafficking. The action included his associate Samark Jose Lopez Bello, identified as a "primary frontman", and 13 companies based in the United States, United Kingdom, Panama and Venezuela. OFAC froze approximately USD 500 million in assets, including Florida real estate and private aircraft.
OUTCOME
This designation made El Aissami one of the highest-ranking Venezuelan officials sanctioned by the United States to that point. Lopez Bello, his business associate, remains an SDN; several real-estate assets were later seized by federal agencies.
INVOLVED MEMBERS
SOURCES