President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order ("E.O.") authorizing the imposition of sanctions on persons, entities and their associates who partake in "corruption, human rights abuses, and undermining democracy in Nicaragua."

The new sanctions authorizations arise from Nicaragua's violent response to protests that began on April 18, 2018, and the Nicaraguan government's "dismantling. . . [of] the rule of law, its use of indiscriminate violence and repressive tactics against civilians, as well as its corruption leading to the destabilization of Nicaragua's economy."

Pursuant to the E.O., the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") imposed sanctions on the wife of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, the Vice President of Nicaragua, and the national security advisor.

As a result of OFAC's actions, all property owned by President Ortega's wife or the national security advisor under U.S. jurisdiction will be blocked, and U.S. persons generally are prohibited from conducting business with them.

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