The United States renewed, for one more year, the license that allowed the Colombian-Venezuelan company Monomeros operate without the sanctions previously decreed by the Treasury Department’s Office for Asset Control (OFAC).
The new license has been in force since June 30 and will run until June 30, 2024.
“Subject to the conditions and limitations set forth herein, the Special Attorney General of Venezuela and U.S. persons, including financial institutions are authorized to carry out transactions, including dividend transactions, involving Monomeros Colombo Venezolanos, SA, and its 50 percent or more owned subsidiaries, Compass Rose Shipping Ltd., Monómeros International Ltd., Sociedad Portuaria Monómeros Colombo Venezolanos SA, Ecofertil SA, and Fertilizer International Supply Corp. SA Panama, which would otherwise be prohibited under the Venezuelan Sanctions Regulations, as described in the Request,” says the document known to this newspaper.
(Read also: The reasons for the United States to approve the reunification that benefits Colombians)
The license renewal document is signed by Aydin Akgu, head of the Licensing section at the Treasury Department.
The decision is important as it will allow Monomeros and its subsidiaries to continue accessing the financial market.
The renewal, however, had generated great uncertainty since the coming to power of President Gustavo Petro.
The Colombian government offered guarantees to the US on Monomers.
The company, which primarily produces fertilizers and is based in Colombia, ended up on a list of sanctioned Venezuelan companies. during the years of the Donald Trump administration.
However, he left this blacklist in 2019 after the United States recognized Juan Guaidó as the new interim president of Venezuela and his government took control of the company’s board of directors thanks to the efforts of the then Colombian president Iván Duque.
(You can read: Former Chavista general acknowledges having delivered weapons to Iván Márquez and Timochenko)
They are authorized to carry out transactions, including dividend transactions, involving Monomeros Colombo Venezolanos, SA
Since then, Monomeros had been operating without sanctions thanks to a “waiver” published by OFAC, which was renewed annually.
The situation of the company entered a limbo since September of last year when President Petro allowed the Nicolás Maduro regime to regain control of the board of directors.
Since then, there had been uncertainty about whether the US would renew the exception given this new development.
Monomeros is considered the second largest asset that Venezuela has abroad and a source of numerous jobs in the country.
The US remains concerned that the Maduro regime is now in control of the company.
According to sources, The US remains concerned that the Maduro regime is now in control of the companybut it issued the license after the Colombian government offered guarantees about its operation and destination of dividends.
(Keep reading: The cases of fraud in Miami against Colombians seeking to migrate to the United States)
Even so, the new license makes it clear that it could be revoked at any time if warranties and other provisions are breached.
“This license does not authorize the transfer or receipt of funds or other property, directly or indirectly, from any entity or individual whose property or interest in property is blocked pursuant to any executive order,” the document continues.
Check here the license granted to Monomeros.
SERGIO GOMEZ MASERI
EL TIEMPO correspondent
Washington
On Twitter: @sergom68
