Publication of a Cuba Sanctions Regulations Web General License

What it does

• •Publishes General License 1 (GL 1) issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control on May 7, 2026, under Executive Order 14404.
• •Authorizes transactions otherwise prohibited by E.O. 14404 to the extent they are authorized or exempt under the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (31 CFR part 515).
• •Clarifies that GL 1 does not authorize transactions prohibited by other regulations in 31 CFR Chapter V.

Why it matters

• •GL 1 provides a mechanism for certain activities related to Cuba sanctions to proceed under existing Cuban Assets Control Regulations authority, rather than being categorically blocked by the May 2026 executive order.
• •The license was previously available on OFAC's website but is now formally published in the Federal Register for official record and transparency.

Who is affected

• •Persons and entities subject to E.O. 14404 sanctions targeting those responsible for repression in Cuba and threats to U.S. national security and foreign policy.
• •Anyone conducting transactions with Cuba or Cuban-related parties who may rely on general or specific licenses under the Cuban Assets Control Regulations.

What happens next

This publication constitutes the formal Federal Register notice of GL 1, which was issued May 7, 2026 and remains in effect as written.