What do Trump's new economic sanctions on North Korea and travel to Cuba direct from the US have in common?
They are both monitored by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control. Yep, the same OFAC that appears to have had zero resources to monitor or regulate Cuban travel for at least 12 years. But now they have North Korean sanctions dumped on their plate.
So what are you thinking?
OFAC will now have funds to more regulate or even the new North Korea regulations will not be bothered much with?
CW: OFAC has had no resources to do any enforcement of the Cuban travel regulations at all for at least 12 years but some were speculating that they may begin as Trump's political patronage to Senator Marco Rubio. I never believed it but some did.
OFAC has been understaffed and now got a major new assignment with North Korean economic sanctions. North Korea is a problem that Trump100% owns while Cuba is simply a non-problem that has been inherited by many many presidents. So OFAC's new responsibility has to eliminate any potential for Cuban travel regulation enforcement.
I haven't looked in to the new Korea sanctions - but are they actually likely to involve much more work for OFAC ? Or are they more symbolic ?
And I still wonder what happened to all the OFAC staff that were processing license applications before 2015.
And I still wonder what happened to all the OFAC staff that were processing license applications before 2015.
It never seemed that OFAC devoted much staff to Cuba travels back then. They always took a week to return my phone calls and everyone I spoke with was new. They would have to ask my patience while they read the actual regulations and then give their interpretation.
OFAC approval of requests for specific license applications never seemed to involve much time or effort. I think most applications were boilerplate and submitted over and over. And, I met individuals who had unbelievable request for specific licenses approved. I flew with a couple from New York City who got a license approved to compete in an international athletic event with a weeks prep and recovery time. Their "international athletic event" was the Hemingway billfishing tournament. I met four guys on the Prado who received a license to cultivate relationships with Cubans who drove old cars because they were members of a hot rod car club in Memphis. It seemed OFAC would simply approve anything if you actually applied.
John - thanks. (Good to see that you are still around) But will OFAC be actively looking for offenders ? Or will they just deal with any that drop on to their desk ?
Bob - thanks.
