Foreign policy and sanctions

Executive Order 14038: Blocking Property of Additional Persons Contributing to the Situation in Belarus

President: Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Expanded the Belarus national emergency and authorized blocking sanctions against officials, entities and sectors tied to repression, corruption, election abuses and other harmful conduct.

Status: In effect.

Is Executive Order 14038 still in effect? Yes. Active Belarus sanctions authority.

A stylized Belarus map with industrial and financial motifs is enclosed by a shield amid protest silhouettes.
Belarus sanctions, illustrated symbolically; not an authoritative map, current designation list or ban on every depicted industry. EO Explained · site-generated editorial illustration · not documentary evidence.

What does Executive Order 14038 do?

Treasury and State could identify persons meeting the Belarus criteria; Treasury would administer blocking and licenses.

Administration position: The order’s findings and policy rationale were the Biden administration’s positions. This guide distinguishes them from implementation records and judicial rulings.
SignedAugust 9, 2021
Lead officialsTreasury/OFAC and State
Express timingImmediate; designations, sector determinations and licenses as decided

Before and after

Before the order

EO 13405 covered persons undermining democratic institutions, but later repression and sector involvement prompted broader criteria.

After the order

OFAC issued designations, Directive 1, regulations and licenses. Some designations and the debt directive were later removed or rescinded, but OFAC continues listing EO 14038 within the active Belarus program.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
Treasury and StateIdentify persons and sectors meeting designation criteriaAs determined
OFACAdminister blocking, directives and licensesOngoing

What happened next

EO 14038 signed.

OFAC issued Directive 1 and related designations.

OFAC removed designations and rescinded Directive 1 while retaining the program.