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OFAC Sanctions Lawyer — Argentina & Chile

Facing OFAC sanctions or blocked assets in Argentina or Chile? Our specialist OFAC defence lawyers advise individuals, businesses, and families across Buenos Aires, Santiago, Córdoba, and the wider Southern Cone. We challenge OFAC designations, obtain licences, and restore access to frozen assets. Confidential consultations in English, Spanish, and Russian.

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OFAC Sanctions Lawyer — Argentina & Chile

OFAC Designations: Impact on Argentina & Chile Residents

An OFAC Specially Designated National (SDN) designation is not limited to US territory. For residents of Argentina and Chile, OFAC sanctions create immediate practical consequences: US dollar transactions are blocked, accounts with US-correspondent banks are frozen, and US persons and entities are prohibited from doing business with you globally. Argentine and Chilean banks with US dollar operations will typically freeze accounts upon designation.

Argentina’s peso-dollar dual economy and Chile’s strong US trade links mean OFAC designations have an outsized impact in the Southern Cone compared to countries with limited USD exposure. Individuals designated in connection with Russia-Ukraine conflict, Venezuelan asset recovery, or organised crime investigations from Argentinian or Chilean authorities often face simultaneous INTERPOL Red Notice proceedings.

Our team advises Argentine and Chilean clients in English, Spanish, and Russian, and we work closely with local counsel in Buenos Aires and Santiago for any domestic legal proceedings arising from the designation.

Services for OFAC-Designated Individuals in Argentina & Chile

Delisting Petition (Reconsideration): We prepare a comprehensive petition to OFAC’s Office of Global Targeting, presenting legal arguments, factual evidence, and political context to demonstrate why the designation should be revoked.
OFAC Specific Licence: Where full delisting takes time, we apply for specific licences to unblock critical transactions — bank access, family support, legal fee payments, or business operations.
Asset Unblocking: We coordinate with Argentinian and Chilean financial institutions to implement OFAC licences and restore access to frozen assets.
Parallel INTERPOL Defence: Many clients designated by OFAC also face Red Notices issued by Russian or American authorities. We provide integrated INTERPOL CCF + OFAC delisting strategy.
Secondary Sanctions Compliance: For Argentine and Chilean companies at risk of OFAC secondary sanctions due to dealings with designated persons, we provide urgent compliance advice.

Free Consultation — 24h Response

Intercollegium’s OFAC team has represented clients from Russia, CIS countries, and the Gulf in complex, politically charged OFAC designation cases. We understand the interplay between US sanctions, INTERPOL proceedings, and domestic legal consequences in Argentina and Chile. Contact us today for a confidential, no-obligation assessment of your case.

📞 +357 96 447475 | Submit your case online — response within 24 hours.

Step-by-Step: How OFAC Delisting Works for Argentine and Chilean Clients

The OFAC administrative delisting process (Petition for Reconsideration) is available to any designated person or entity, regardless of nationality or residence. For Argentine and Chilean nationals, the process follows the same steps as for US persons, but typically requires evidence of limited US nexus and a clear case for removal.

Case Assessment (Week 1–2): We review the designation basis, SDN entry, and supporting evidence. We identify legal errors, procedural defects, and factual inaccuracies in the OFAC decision.
Filing the Delisting Petition (Week 3–6): We submit a formal petition to OFAC’s Office of Global Targeting, including legal arguments, factual corrections, and supporting documentation. Petitions can be filed in English or Spanish.
OFAC Review Period (6–18 months): OFAC reviews the petition. We monitor all developments, respond to OFAC’s requests for further information, and coordinate with Argentine and Chilean legal counsel as required.
OFAC Licence Applications (Parallel Track): While the delisting petition is pending, we can file for specific OFAC licences to restore access to frozen assets, enable family support payments, or allow essential business transactions.
Removal from SDN List: Upon successful delisting, we coordinate with financial institutions and correspondent banks in Argentina and Chile to restore full banking access and commercial operations.

Frequently Asked Questions: OFAC Sanctions in Argentina and Chile

I am an Argentine citizen. Can OFAC sanction me even if I have no US assets?
Yes. OFAC sanctions apply to any person or entity globally that falls within US jurisdiction through currency (USD transactions), correspondent banking, or US-nexus business activity. Even Argentine citizens with no US assets can be designated if their transactions pass through US dollar clearing systems or involve US-linked entities.

My Argentine bank has frozen my accounts. Can you help?
Yes. Argentine banks — particularly those with US correspondent relationships — are required to freeze accounts of OFAC-designated persons. We can apply for a specific OFAC licence to unblock accounts for essential living expenses, legal costs, or humanitarian needs while the full delisting petition is in progress.

Are OFAC sanctions connected to Interpol Red Notices?
Frequently yes. Many clients facing OFAC designations also face Interpol Red Notices — typically issued by the US, Russia, or UAE. We handle both simultaneously, filing CCF challenges and OFAC delisting petitions in parallel, which often produces stronger results in both proceedings.

Does Intercollegium advise Spanish-speaking clients in Argentina and Chile?
Yes. Our team includes lawyers who advise in English, Russian, and Spanish. All client communications, documentation, and filings can be handled in Spanish for our Argentine and Chilean clients. We serve clients in Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Rosario, Mendoza, Santiago, Valparaíso, and Concepción.