Monday 3 August 2020 | About Us | Contact Us | Register for free email alerts Subscribe for full access Login
Sanctions Profile: Nicaragua
At a glance
The EU adopted a new sanctions regime against Nicaragua on 15 October 2019 by Council Regulation (EU) 2019/1716 and Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1720. The EU can therefore impose asset freezing measures and travel bans on individuals and entities determined to be responsible for human rights violations and abuses, the repression of civil society and democratic opposition, and undermining democracy and the rule of law in Nicaragua.
News
OFAC designates Nicaraguan President’s son & his company
OFAC has listed Juan Carlos Ortega Murillo, the son of President Daniel Ortega, on the basis that he distributes propaganda in support of the Nicaraguan government through his public relations and advertising company, Difuso Comunicaciones S.A.. It is said to produce the majority of radio and television campaigns for the Nicaraguan government. Jose Jorge Mojica Mejia, described as a personal …
Nicaragua
OFAC amends Nicaragua sanctions regs & Venezuela General Licences
OFAC has amended the Nicaragua Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 582 to incorporate the Nicaragua Human Rights and Anticorruption Act of 2018. The Act authorises sanctions to be imposed on those responsible for human rights abuses, actions which undermine democratic processes, or involved in significant corruption in Nicaragua. A general licence authorising certain US government activities has also been added. …
Venezuela
Switzerland joins EU in imposing Nicaragua sanctions
Switzerland has joined the EU in imposing sanctions (asset freezes and a travel ban) on 6 Nicaraguan officials in response to “on-going violations against human rights, democracy and the rule of law”. 2 of the officials are personal advisors to President Ortega, and the remaining 4 are representatives of the Nicaraguan police force and judicial system. See AS 2020 2563. …
Third countries align with new EU Nicaragua sanctions
In May 2020, the EU Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2020/607, which designated 6 Nicaraguan officials determined to be responsible for serious human rights violations, including the repression of political opponents and mistreatment of detainees (see post). North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia have aligned themselves with this decision. Press release here.
UK Brexit regulations on Bosnia & Herzegovina and Nicaragua
The UK has published regulations under the Sanctions and Money Laundering Act 2018 on Bosnia and Herzegovina and Nicaragua, which will come into force on “exit day”, currently 11pm on 31 December 2020. These will revoke the current EU regimes and replace them with UK versions of the regulations. See UK section on this site for all post-Brexit sanctions regulations …
Bosnia & Herzegovina