DOJ's FCPA Priorities and Latin American Business Risk

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) has been one of the Department of Justice's top white collar enforcement priorities for over a decade. For businesses and executives with operations in Latin America, Africa, or the Middle East, FCPA risk is real and growing. Miami, as the U.S. commercial hub for Latin American business, is a particular focus for FCPA investigations.

Individual Accountability — The DOJ's Continued Focus

The DOJ has made clear that individual accountability — prosecuting the actual people who authorized or made corrupt payments — is central to its FCPA enforcement strategy. Corporate resolutions that do not include individual prosecutions are now viewed with skepticism. Executives, compliance officers, and sales personnel who were involved in decisions to make improper payments can face personal criminal liability.

Self-Disclosure and Cooperation Credit

The DOJ's Corporate Enforcement Policy (CEP) creates significant incentives for companies to voluntarily self-disclose FCPA violations, cooperate fully with investigations, and remediate compliance failures. Companies that self-disclose may receive a declination or substantially reduced penalties. However, the decision to self-disclose is complex — it can also create individual criminal risk for the company's own employees.

Latin American Enforcement Hotspots

FCPA enforcement actions involving Latin American countries have included significant cases related to Venezuela's state oil company (PDVSA), Brazil's Petrobras, and state-owned entities across the region. Any executive or company involved in government contracts, commodity sales, or regulated industries in Latin America should conduct a rigorous FCPA compliance review.

OFAC Sanctions — Venezuela, Cuba, and Beyond

OFAC sanctions enforcement runs parallel to FCPA risk for Latin American businesses. U.S. persons (including U.S. companies and their foreign subsidiaries) are prohibited from dealing with Venezuelan government entities on the SDN list, Cuban government entities, and many others. Violations can be civil or criminal, with multi-million dollar penalties.

Prioridades del DOJ en FCPA y Riesgo para Empresas Latinoamericanas

La Ley de Prácticas Corruptas en el Extranjero (FCPA) ha sido una de las principales prioridades de aplicación de cuello blanco del Departamento de Justicia. Para empresas y ejecutivos con operaciones en América Latina, el riesgo FCPA es real y creciente.

Responsabilidad Individual — El Enfoque Continuo del DOJ

El DOJ ha dejado claro que la responsabilidad individual es central en su estrategia de aplicación de la FCPA. Los ejecutivos y el personal de ventas involucrado en pagos indebidos pueden enfrentar responsabilidad penal personal.

Sanciones OFAC — Venezuela, Cuba y Más Allá

La aplicación de sanciones OFAC corre paralela al riesgo FCPA para las empresas latinoamericanas. Las personas de EE.UU. tienen prohibido negociar con entidades gubernamentales venezolanas en la lista SDN, entidades gubernamentales cubanas y muchas otras.