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Economic Sanctions
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OFAC sanctions North Korean banks, IT firms, and individuals for cybercrime, labor‑fraud networks, and sanctions evasion, cutting off funding linked to the DPRK’s weapons programs
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designates eight individuals and two entities tied to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for facilitating the laundering of proceeds from cyber-enabled theft, cryptocurrency heists and illicit IT-worker schemes. These measures target the financial infrastructure enabling the DPRK’s proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and reinforce the blocking of property and assets under U.S. sanctions law…
US Treasury targets Mexico-based Human Smuggling Organisation and its leaders, sanctioning them for trafficking thousands of migrants and running interconnected drug and ML networks
The designation targets the Bhardwaj Human Smuggling Organization, its principal, three associates and sixteen affiliated companies for orchestrating large-scale migrant smuggling operations into the United States alongside related bribery, drug trafficking and money-laundering activity. Treasury highlights the organisation’s exploitation of vulnerable migrants and warns that financial institutions…
EU Council renews autonomous sanctions against ISIL/Da’esh and Al‑Qaeda until 31 Oct 2026, targeting 15 individuals and 7 groups with asset freezes, travel bans, and funding restrictions
The sanctions aim to counter terrorism by specifically targeting those who plan, finance, or propagate the ideology of these groups, underscoring the EU’s ongoing commitment to combating the threat posed by Al‑Qaeda, ISIL/Da’esh, and their affiliates…
OFAC sanctions Russia’s 2 largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, along with all subsidiaries they own by 50% or more, for operating in Russia’s energy sector and supporting its war effort
The action aims to intensify economic pressure on Moscow while urging an immediate ceasefire. OFAC also issued temporary general licenses allowing limited wind-down transactions until late November 2025 and warned that foreign financial institutions engaging in significant dealings with the sanctioned firms or Russia’s military-industrial base could face secondary sanctions…
OFAC sanctions Colombian President and his close associates, freezing their U.S. assets and prohibiting transactions for materially contributing to international illicit drug trade
President Petro, his wife, his son Nicolás Fernando Petro Burgos, and a close associate Armando Alberto Benedetti Villaneda were also designated for providing financial, material or technological support or services to him. As a result of the designations, all their U.S.-based property and interests in property are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions…
EU Commission adopts its 19th sanctions package on Russia, tightening measures across energy, finance, military, and crypto sectors to hold it accountable for aggression in Ukraine
Notable actions include a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports by 2027, expanded restrictions on the “shadow fleet” of vessels, and sanctions on five additional Russian banks. The package also addresses cryptocurrency-related activities by imposing sanctions on a widely used Russian stablecoin and related platforms. Furthermore, the EU has introduced service bans, asset freezes, and travel restrictions on individuals and entities involved in the abduction and forced assimilation of Ukrainian children…
UK sanctions gang leaders and illicit financiers aiding people-smuggling from the Western Balkans, freezing assets and targeting financial networks behind human trafficking
The announcement details the listing of Balkan-based organised crime groups, including a Kosovan forgery ring and a Croatian gang supplying fake passports, as well as financiers such as the ALPA network that process money and procure small boat components for smuggling networks. Further measures include a travel ban into the UK, asset freezes and exclusion from the UK financial system…
OFSI’s Annual Review 2024–25 highlights stronger enforcement, record asset freezes and expanded international cooperation as the UK sharpens its financial sanctions regime
The review reports over £37 billion in frozen assets, increased Russia-related designations and a rise in proactive, intelligence-led enforcement actions. It also details enhanced licensing activity, broader industry outreach and closer collaboration with global partners to strengthen the effectiveness and consistency of UK sanctions implementation.
OFAC sanctions over 50 individuals, entities, and vessels involved in Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical exports, including UAE trading companies, Chinese oil terminals, and shadow fleet vessels
These sanctions aim to disrupt Iran’s energy export network, which generates substantial revenue for the regime and supports groups threatening U.S. interests. The designated parties include UAE-based trading companies, Chinese oil terminals, and shadow fleet vessels, among others. The action is part of a broader strategy to apply maximum economic pressure on Iran, building upon…
OFAC takes action against individuals and entities supporting Iran-backed militias involved in arms smuggling, financial corruption, and intelligence operations in Iraq
The designations target individuals and entities that provide financial, logistical, and operational support to the militias, enabling their activities across Iraq and the region. They also aim to strengthen enforcement of U.S. sanctions, limit the militias’ ability to exploit international financial systems, and signal consequences for networks supporting state-sponsored terrorism…
US Treasury sanctions 8 Mexican individuals and 12 companies linked to the Sinaloa Cartel’s “Los Chapitos” for supplying chemicals and support for illicit fentanyl production and trafficking
The action specifically targets Sumilab, a chemical company based in Culiacán, along with affiliated businesses operated by the Favela Lopez family, which supplied precursor chemicals to the Sinaloa Cartel’s Los Chapitos faction. It also designates Martha Emilia Conde Uraga, a chemical broker, and her associated companies for facilitating the procurement and distribution of these illicit substances despite prior sanctions…
US Treasury designates 17 individuals and 21 entities for aiding Iran’s Ministry of Defense in acquiring sensitive military technology, reinforcing reimposed U.N. sanctions
The sanctions target actors linked to Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL) who facilitate the acquisition of critical materials, including carbon fiber and metals, for missile and aircraft production. They aim to dismantle the financial and logistical networks enabling Iran’s military programs and reinforce compliance with international nonproliferation obligations…