Financial Crime World

US Slaps Sanctions on Nicaraguan Officials Linked to Repression

Washington D.C. - The United States has imposed sanctions on six high-ranking officials from the Nicaraguan government, accusing them of being involved in the country’s repression against protesters.

The following individuals have been targeted with sanctions:

  • Jose Adrian Chavarria Montenegro, Vice Minister of Finance and Public Credit
  • Rodolfo Francisco Lopez Gutierrez, Managing Director of Electric Distributors North and South
  • Jose Antonio Castaneda Mendez, President of the Nicaraguan Institute of Energy
  • Mohamed Farrara Lashtar, Nicaraguan Ambassador to several Middle Eastern countries
  • Salvador Mansell Castrillo, Minister of Energy and Mines
  • Sadrach Zeledon Rocha, Mayor of Matagalpa
  • Leonidas Centeno Rivera, Mayor of Jinotega
  • Francisco Ramon Valenzuela Blandon, Mayor of Esteli

The sanctions were imposed under Executive Order 13851, which targets individuals who have engaged in or are responsible for:

  • Serious human rights abuse or suppression
  • Directly or indirectly facilitating the transfer of funds or other assets to support these activities

According to the US Treasury Department, the sanctioned officials have been involved in various forms of repression against Nicaraguan citizens, including:

  • Violent crackdowns on protests
  • Human rights abuses

The sanctions prohibit all dealings by US persons or within the United States that involve any property or interests in property of the designated individuals. Additionally, all property and interests in property of these individuals that are in the United States or in the possession or control of US persons must be reported to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

The sanctions are intended to encourage a positive change of behavior by the identified persons and the authoritarian regime they support. The US has made it clear that the removal of sanctions may be available for individuals and entities who take concrete and meaningful actions to:

  • Promote democracy
  • Respect human rights
  • Encourage reconciliation in Nicaragua

“This action sends a strong message that the United States will not stand idly by while innocent Nicaraguans are being brutalized by their own government,” said a senior US official. “We urge the Ortega regime to respect the human rights of its citizens and to take concrete steps towards democracy and reconciliation.”