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Cuban Military Personnel Sanctioned

Last week, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added three Cuban military-owned companies to its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List).  All property and interests in property of these entities that are in the United States or in the possession or control of persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction continue to be blocked and must be reported to OFAC.

The companies are Grupo de Administración Empresarial SA (GAESA), FINCIMEX, and Kave Coffee S.A.  GAESA is the Cuban military’s largest company, which controls large portions of Cuba’s economy for the military’s benefit.  Cuban military-controlled FINCIMEX funnels remittances through channels that disproportionately benefit the Cuban military.  Kave Coffee S.A., a coffee company domiciled in Havana and incorporated in Panama, is part of an international network of Cuban-owned companies maintained by the Cuban military and used to evade the U.S. embargo.

The revenue generated from the Cuban military’s economic activities is used to entrench the Cuban military’s control, prop up the Cuban Communist Party’s power, oppress the Cuban people, and fund Cuba’s interference in Venezuela.  Today’s action demonstrates the United States’ long-standing commitment to ending economic practices that disproportionately benefit the Cuban government or its military, intelligence, and security agencies or personnel, at the expense of the Cuban people.  It also demonstrates the United States’ commitment to disrupting Cuba’s malign support for the illegitimate Maduro regime in Venezuela.

The United States will continue to support the Cuban people in their desire for a democratic government and respect for human rights, including freedom of religion, expression, and association.  Until these rights and freedoms are respected, we will continue to hold the regime accountable.

Nicaraguan Police Chief Sanctioned

Last week, the United States imposed sanctions on Marvin Ramiro Aguilar Garcia, Walmaro Antonio Gutierrez Mercado, and Fidel de Jesus Dominguez Alvarez, pursuant to Executive Order 13851, “Blocking Property of Certain Persons Contributing to the Situation in Nicaragua.”  These three individuals enable and benefit from the Ortega administration’s corruption and abuse of the Nicaraguan people.

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In this designation, the Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is promoting accountability for Nicaraguan government officials who further the Ortega regime’s attacks on Nicaragua’s democracy.

Marvin Ramiro Aguilar Garcia is the Vice President of the Supreme Court of Justice, National Political Secretary of the Sandinista Leadership Council, and a member of the Council for the Administration and Judicial Career of the Nicaraguan Supreme Court of Justice, which ensures regime supporters are selected for key posts.  As the National Political Secretary, Aguilar directly advises President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo and reportedly coordinates the targeting of pro-democracy opposition members.

Walmaro Antonio Gutierrez Mercado is a Deputy of the National Assembly and president of the Production, Economic and Budget Commission, and has publicly advocated for the controversial Foreign Agents Law, which specifies that certain individuals and entities in Nicaragua that receive foreign funds must register and make detailed monthly reports to the Interior Ministry.  We anticipate that this law, which contemplates fines and other legal sanctions for noncompliance, will be invoked to restrict the civil and political rights of certain individuals or organizations that the government arbitrarily deems to be a threat.

Fidel de Jesus Dominguez Alvarez, Chief of the Nicaraguan National Police in Leon, has allegedly directed assaults on many Nicaraguan citizens and journalists.  Specifically, Dominguez reportedly directed the beating of a journalist by Nicaraguan National Police officials.  Dominguez was also reportedly involved in the abuse and beatings of a former opposition deputy and other Ortega opponents.

The United States government will continue to take the steps necessary to support the Nicaraguan people and pressure the Ortega regime to cease its repressive activities, respect human rights, and allow the conditions for free and fair elections that would restore democracy to Nicaragua.

Illustration: Pixabay