The U.K. delisted two individuals and two entities from its Syria sanctions regime Dec. 17, though it said all four parties remain sanctioned under different restrictions regimes.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week renewed two Russia-related general licenses that authorize certain transactions related to crude oil originating from the Sakhalin-2 project and certain transactions with Russian entities related to civil nuclear energy.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week sanctioned Mexico-based Cartel de Santa Rosa de Lima and its leader, Jose Antonio Yepez Ortiz, saying it's in a "violent conflict" with Cartel Jalisco Nuevo Generacion for control of fuel in the Mexican state of Guanajuato. The cartel also participates in an energy black market that undermines legitimate U.S. oil and natural gas companies, the U.S. said, and is involved in trafficking heroin into the country. The Treasury Department said Yepez Ortiz was arrested by Mexican authorities in 2022 and sentenced to 60 years in prison, but he continues to be "active" in the cartel, including by sending instructions and orders through lawyers and family members.
The State Department is designating Colombia-based drug trafficking group Clan del Golfo a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist, the agency said in Federal Register notices released this week. The State Department called the group a "violent and powerful criminal organization with thousands of members," adding that it traffics cocaine and is responsible for attacks against public officials, law enforcement, military personnel and civilians in Colombia.
The U.N. Security Council last week removed Iraqi national Munir al Qubaysi from its sanctions lists. It didn't release more information. The U.S. sanctioned al Qubaysi in 2004 for links to former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.
The Council of the EU on Dec. 15 renewed its sanctions on Venezuela for another year. The restrictions, which cover 69 people, now run until Jan. 10, 2027.
The Council of the European Union on Dec. 15 sanctioned three people and one entity related to gang violence and human rights abuses in Haiti. The designations target Michel Martelly, former president of Haiti, and Youri Latortue, Martelly's former political adviser, who were listed for arming and financing several gangs to promote their political and personal agendas. The council also sanctioned Rony Celestin, former senator of Haiti, for his links to various armed groups and "orchestrating" the murder of journalist Nehemie Joseph. The listed entity is Gang 5 Segond, a gang based in Port-au-Prince.
Australia last week launched what it called the world's first "autonomous sanctions framework" targeted toward Afghanistan, which it said will help it pressure Taliban officials who are oppressing the Afghan people. The measures put in place an arms embargo against Afghanistan, which blocks Australians from supplying arms or related materials or services to the country, and designate multiple Taliban officials, according to Australia's consolidated sanctions list, including various ministers and the group's "Chief Justice."
The EU this week announced new sanctions against Russia and created a new way for the bloc to designate people and entities involved in Belarus-related foreign information manipulation and interference.
The U.S. granted sanctions relief this week for three Belarusian potash companies, days after the country's government freed political prisoners, reportedly in exchange for the eased sanctions.