SUMMARY

OFAC designated four companies and their directors for running a broker network that helped Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) evade U.S. oil sanctions, selling crude and diesel to Asian buyers through operators in Mexico, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates. The action named Libre Abordo and Schlager Business Group as pillars of the "oil-for-barter" scheme announced in May 2020.

OUTCOME

The action publicly documented how broker agents facilitated monetization of Venezuelan oil and connected Tareck El Aissami to networks already under investigation around Alex Saab and the CLAP food contracts.

INVOLVED MEMBERS

Tareck El AissamiAlex Saab

SOURCES