Mr. Sanctions

Category: Designations

  • March 5, 2026: The Designation Half of Thursday’s OFAC update

    Venezuela-related Designations Removals; Issuance of Amended Russia-related General License

    Delistings:

    The following deletions have been made to OFAC’s SDN List:

    OFAC Program: [VENEZUELA-EO13850] Executive Order 13850

    ARCTIC VOYAGER INCORPORATED (a.k.a. ARCTIC VOYAGER INC), Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Majuro, Ajeltake Island 96960, Marshall Islands; Organization Established Date 08 Nov 2024; Identification NumberIMO 0109600; Business Registration Number 128742 (Marshall Islands).

    ARCTIC VOYAGER INC (a.k.a. ARCTIC VOYAGER INCORPORATED), Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Road, Majuro, Ajeltake Island 96960, Marshall Islands; Organization Established Date 08 Nov 2024; Identification NumberIMO 0109600; Business Registration Number 128742 (Marshall Islands).

    KIARA M (3E2278) Crude Oil Tanker Panama flag; Vessel Year of Build 2004; Vessel Registration Identification IMO 9285823; MMSI 352002348 (vessel) (Linked To: ARCTIC VOYAGER INCORPORATED).

    Amendments:

    Unrelated Administrative List Updates:

    OFAC Program: [DPRK2] Executive Order 13687

    KIM, Yong Bok

    • AKA: * Korean: 김영복
      • “KIM, Yongbok”
    • Korea, North
    • DOB 27 Jul 1957
    • nationality Korea, North
    • Gender Male
    • Secondary sanctions risk: North Korea Sanctions Regulations, sections 510.201 and 510.210
    • Transactions Prohibited For Persons Owned or Controlled By U.S. Financial Institutions: North Korea Sanctions Regulations section 510.214
    • Passport 654420047 (Korea, North)
    • Deputy Chief of the Korean People’s Army General Staff
    • Party Type: individual

    Supplemental Information: None available.

    List of Changes:

    • Field Name: alt. nationality
      • Deleted: Korea, North
    • Field Name: Title
      • Changed: President of Pyongyang University of Automation to: Deputy Chief of the Korean People’s Army General Staff

    OFAC Program: [RUSSIA-EO14024] Executive Order 14024

    SIBREGIONGAZ, AO

    • AKA: * SIBREGIONGAZ ZAO (Cyrillic: ЗАО СИБРЕГИОНГАЗ)
      • ZAKRYTOE AKTSIONERNOE OBSHCHESTVO SIBREGIONGAZ (Cyrillic: ЗАКРЫТОЕ АКЦИОНЕРНОЕ ОБЩЕСТВО СИБРЕГИОНГАЗ)
    • d. 82 ofis 104/ 4, Prospekt Krasny, Novosibirsk, Novosibirsk Region 630091, Russia
    • Secondary sanctions risk: See Section 11 of Executive Order 14024.
    • Organization Established Date 24 Jul 2003
    • Tax ID No. 5406258514 (Russia)
    • Registration Number 1035402498999 (Russia)
    • Party Type: entity

    Supplemental Information: None available.

    List of Changes:

    • Field Name: AKA
      • Changed: ZAKRYTOE AKTSIONERNOE OBSHCHESTVO (Cyrillic: ЗАКРЫТОЕ АКЦИОНЕРНОЕ ОБЩЕСТВО СИБРЕГИОНГАЗ) to: ZAKRYTOE AKTSIONERNOE OBSHCHESTVO SIBREGIONGAZ (Cyrillic: ЗАКРЫТОЕ АКЦИОНЕРНОЕ ОБЩЕСТВО СИБРЕГИОНГАЗ)

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  • March 3, 2026: SECO also removes 1 from ISIL (Da’esh) And Al-Qaida sanctions

    From FINMA:

    Updated sanction message: ISIL (Da’esh) / Al-Qaida

    The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) has adopted an amendment to the Ordinance of 21. March 2025 on measures against persons and organizations associated with the organizations ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaeda (SR 946.231.08).

    By decision of 27. On 1 February 2026, the responsible UN Sanctions Committee amended the list of persons, companies and organizations sanctioned in this context. The change is directly applicable in Switzerland. SECO therefore has on 2. On March 1, 2026, the SESAM (SECO Sanctions Management) database, which is relevant for Switzerland, was adapted and published the adjustment on its website.

    Updates: PDF, XML

    Updated sanctions program list

    The update:

    ISIL (Da’esh) und Al-Kaida_Delta_2026-03-02Download

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  • March 3, 2026: Canada also removes 1 from its counter-terror program

    On February 27th, 2026, the UN Security Council ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee removed one entry on its sanctions list. For more information, consult the press release.

    This amendment takes effect immediately under Canadian sanctions legislation, pursuant to the Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions on Taliban, ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida.

    For further information on UN Security Council sanctions list, consult List of updates to the UNSC Consolidated List | Security Council.

    Sorry for the delay in posting – Mr. Sanctions turned the big 6-7 (ask your Gen Alpha acquaintances) this week, and I kind of fell behind…

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  • March 2, 2026: The Designation half of today’s OFAC release

    Democratic Republic of the Congo-related Designations; Issuance of Associated General License

    Treasury Press Release: Treasury Sanctions Rwanda Officials, Condemns Blatant Violations of Washington Peace Accords

    State Press Release: Sanctioning Rwandan Violators of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity

    Additions:

    The following individuals have been added to OFAC’s SDN List:

    OFAC Program: [DRCONGO] Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. part 547; Executive Order 13413; Executive Order 13671.

    GASHUGI, Stanislas

    • Address: Kigali, Rwanda
    • DOB: 03 Mar 1973
    • POB: Burundi
    • Nationality: Rwanda
    • Gender: Male
    • National ID No.: 1197380088990106 (Rwanda)
    • Party Type: individual

    Supplemental Information: Stanislas Gashugi is a senior officer within the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF). According to the U.S. Department of State, he is being sanctioned for providing direct operational support to the March 23 Movement (M23), a U.S.- and UN-sanctioned rebel group. This support facilitated M23’s capture of the Congolese city of Uvira in December 2025, a direct violation of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity signed on December 4, 2025.

    KARUSISI, Ruki

    • Address: Kigali, Rwanda
    • DOB: 05 Jun 1974
    • POB: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
    • Nationality: Rwanda
    • Gender: Male
    • Party Type: individual

    Supplemental Information: Ruki Karusisi serves as a senior leader within the Rwanda Defence Force. He is designated for his role in RDF operations that provided backing to M23 fighters in eastern DRC. The U.S. government identifies this support as a key factor enabling M23 to seize sovereign Congolese territory and engage in human rights abuses, including summary executions and violence against civilians.

    MUGANGA, Mubarakh

    • AKA: * MK MUBARKH
    • Address: Rugando, Kigali, Rwanda
    • DOB: 26 Jun 1967
    • POB: Kampala, Uganda
    • Nationality: Rwanda
    • Gender: Male
    • Passport: PD100862 (Rwanda) expires 19 Aug 2026
    • National ID No.: 1196780016764179 (Rwanda)
    • Party Type: individual

    Supplemental Information: Mubarakh Muganga is a high-ranking official in the Rwanda Defence Force. His designation follows findings by the U.S. Treasury and State Departments that RDF senior leadership continued to support M23 despite the historic peace agreement signed by Presidents Trump, Tshisekedi, and Kagame. The action reflects a policy of maximum pressure to ensure all parties deliver on the promises of the Washington Accords.

    NYAKARUNDI, Vincent

    • Address: Kigali, Rwanda
    • DOB: 05 Nov 1969
    • POB: Cikitoke, Burundi
    • Nationality: Rwanda
    • Gender: Male
    • Party Type: individual

    Supplemental Information: Vincent Nyakarundi is a senior RDF officer sanctioned for his involvement in military activities supporting M23. These activities are cited as clear violations of the December 2025 Washington Accords. The U.S. Department of State noted that the RDF’s continued backing of M23 has destabilized the Great Lakes region and led to horrific human rights abuses against women and children.

    The following entity has been added to OFAC’s SDN List:

    OFAC Program: [DRCONGO] Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. part 547; Executive Order 13413; Executive Order 13671.

    RWANDA DEFENCE FORCE

    • AKA: RDF
    • Address: Ministry of Defence, KG 1 Roundabout, Kigali, Rwanda
    • Website: https://www.mod.gov.rw/rdf/overview
    • Organization Established Date: Jul 2002
    • Organization Type: Defense activities
    • Target Type: Government Entity

    Supplemental Information: The Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) is the national military of Rwanda. It is being designated for its direct operational support to the M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. This support led to the capture of the city of Uvira shortly after the signing of the Washington Accords. In conjunction with this listing, OFAC issued DRC-related General License 1, which authorizes a wind-down period for transactions involving the RDF to mitigate unintended economic impacts while maintaining pressure on the institution’s leadership.

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  • March 2, 2026: 1 removal each from Russia, ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida programs

    The Russia notice:

    Sanctions_Notice__Russia__2_March_2026Download

    And the ISIL/Al-Qaida notice:

    Sanctions_Notice__ISIL__Da_esh__and_Al-Qaida__2_March_2026Download

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  • March 2, 2026: Australia catches up to UN Sudan sanctions additions

    OFFICIAL

    Notice of Changes to the Consolidated List – 2 March 2026

    DFAT updated the Consolidated List on 2 March 2026 pursuant to the below changes:

    • The addition of 4 persons for targeted financial sanctions and travel bans pursuant toCharter of the United Nations (Sanctions — Sudan) Regulations 2008 commencing on 24 February 2026 (see attached UN notice)
    • The delisting of 1 entity effective from 27/02/2026 (see attached UN notice)
    • Administrative updates to standardise and improve the presentation of data in the Consolidated List

    The updated Consolidated List can be downloaded from the following page: Consolidated List | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

    If you have any queries, please contact the Australian Sanctions Office atsanctions@dfat.gov.au.  

    Australian Sanctions Office

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  • February 27, 2026: OFSI updates one Global Anti-Corruption designation

    Sanctions_Notice__Global_Anti-Corruption__27_February_2026Download

    Original location here.

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  • February 27, 2026: OFAC delists Russian and Lebanese sanctions designations

    Russia-related Designations Removals; Lebanon Designation Removal

    Delistings:

    The following deletions have been made to OFAC’s SDN List:

    OFAC Program: [LEBANON] Lebanon-related Sanctions

    KHOURY, Dany (Arabic: داني خوري), Lebanon; DOB 02 May 1967; POB Ramhala, Lebanon; nationality Lebanon; Gender Male; Passport LR0036899 (Lebanon) expires 17 Aug 2021 (individual).

    OFAC Program: [RUSSIA-EO14024] Executive Order 14024

    BAGAYOKO, Adama, Mali; DOB 14 Sep 1979; POB Bamako, Mali; nationality Mali; citizen Mali; Gender Male; Secondary sanctions risk: See Section 11 of Executive Order 14024.; Passport AA0262268 (Mali) (individual) (Linked To: PRIVATE MILITARY COMPANY ‘WAGNER’).

    DIARRA, Alou Boi, Bamako, Mali; DOB 01 Sep 1981; POB Kati Koulikoro, Mali; nationality Mali; citizen Mali; Gender Male; Secondary sanctions risk: See Section 11 of Executive Order 14024.; Passport DA0004002 (Mali) (individual) (Linked To: PRIVATE MILITARY COMPANY ‘WAGNER’).

    CAMARA, Sadio, Bamako, Mali; Malibougou, Kati, Koulikoro, Mali; DOB 22 Mar 1979; POB Kati, Koulikoro, Mali; nationality Mali; citizen Mali; Gender Male; Secondary sanctions risk: See Section 11 of Executive Order 14024.; Passport DA0004031 (Mali) expires 15 Oct 2015 (individual) (Linked To: PRIVATE MILITARY COMPANY ‘WAGNER’).

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  • February 26, 2026: SECO updates plays follow-the-leader with the UN’s Sudan sanctions additions

    Updated sanction message: Sudan

    The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research WBF has adopted an amendment to the Annex to the Regulation of 25. May 2025 on measures against Sudan (SR 946.231.18).

    The UN Sanctions Committee responsible for Sudan has on 24. February 2026 changed the list of sanctioned natural persons, companies and organizations. The amendment is directly applicable in Switzerland. SECO therefore, on 25. Since February 2026, the SESAM (SECO Sanctions Management) database, which is relevant for Switzerland, was adapted and the adjustment was published on its website.


    In accordance with the provisions of the Regulation, financial intermediaries are required to implement the prohibitions, to block the assets of the sanctioned persons and to report the business relationships concerned to SECO. The report to SECO does not relieve a financial intermediary from making additional clarifications in the event of suspicion in accordance with Art. 6 GwG and, if he cannot clear them, to report it immediately to the notification office for money laundering in accordance with Art. 9 GwG.

    The update files: PDF, XML

    The updated program list

    The update:

    Sudan_Delta_2026-02-25Download

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  • February 26, 2026: The Designation Half of today’s OFAC Designations

    I even through in the separately-issued State Department press release:

    Nicaragua-related Designations; Issuance of Amended Russia-related General License and Associated Frequently Asked Questions

    Treasury Press Release: Treasury Sanctions Nicaraguan Officials Enabling the Murillo-Ortega Dictatorship’s Repression

    State Press Release: Sanctioning the Murillo-Ortega Dictatorship’s Agents Enforcing Its Repression of the Nicaraguan People

    Additions:

    The following individuals have been added to OFAC’s SDN List:

    OFAC Program: [NICARAGUA] Nicaragua-related Sanctions

    FLORES JIMENEZ, Johana Vanessa

    • Managua, Nicaragua
    • DOB 24 Feb 1971
    • POB Managua, Nicaragua
    • nationality Nicaragua
    • Gender Female
    • National ID No. 0012402710038N (Nicaragua)
    • Party Type: individual

    Supplemental Information: Johana Vanessa Flores Jimenez was appointed the Nicaraguan Minister of Labor in August 2025. The Ministry of Labor has exploited workers, resulting in unfair conditions of competition, confiscating property interests of domestic and foreign religious institutions and U.S. persons or businesses, and creating a high-risk environment for U.S. companies investing in Nicaragua.

    GUTIERREZ LOPEZ, Leonel Jose

    • Managua, Nicaragua
    • DOB 09 Feb 1963
    • POB Managua, Nicaragua
    • nationality Nicaragua
    • Gender Male
    • National ID No. 0010902630041C (Nicaragua)
    • Party Type: individual

    Supplemental Information: Major General of the Nicaraguan Army Leonel Jose Gutierrez Lopez headed the Nicaraguan Army’s Directorate of Military Intelligence and Counterintelligence (DICIM) for more than a decade. The DICIM is responsible for internal and external surveillance, monitoring protesters, journalists, human rights defenders, and retired military members to suppress opposition to the regime.

    MEMBRENO RIVAS, Denis

    • Managua, Nicaragua
    • DOB 16 Jul 1956
    • POB Leon, Nicaragua
    • nationality Nicaragua
    • Gender Male
    • National ID No. 2811607560007V (Nicaragua)
    • Party Type: individual

    Supplemental Information: Retired Major General Denis Membreno Rivas has served as the Director of Nicaragua’s Financial Analysis Unit (UAF) since its creation in 2012. The UAF has been weaponized by the regime to monitor inflows of money, block financing to peaceful opposition, and liquidate assets of political dissidents and NGOs.

    REYES OCHOA, Celia Margarita

    • AKA: REYES OCHOA, Celia
    • Managua, Nicaragua
    • DOB 16 Sep 1983
    • POB Matagalpa, Nicaragua
    • nationality Nicaragua
    • Gender Female
    • National ID No. 4411609830008V (Nicaragua)
    • Party Type: individual

    Supplemental Information: Celia Margarita Reyes Ochoa has been the deputy director general of the Nicaraguan Institute of Telecommunications and Postal Services (TELCOR) since 2023. TELCOR is the regulatory body for telecommunications, functioning as a central component of a broad surveillance apparatus used to monitor and control social media, intercept communications, and geolocate individuals.

    SAENZ ULLOA, Aldo Martin

    • Nindiri, Masaya, Nicaragua
    • DOB 12 Nov 1958
    • POB Chinandega, Nicaragua
    • nationality Nicaragua
    • Gender Male
    • National ID No. 0861211580003G (Nicaragua)
    • Party Type: individual

    Supplemental Information: Former Police Chief Commissioner Aldo Martin Saenz Ulloa has served as the Deputy Director of Nicaragua’s Financial Analysis Unit (UAF) since its creation in 2012. The UAF has been used to increase the regime’s capacity for political repression by persecuting political opponents under the guise of anti-money laundering and terrorism financing laws.

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