Recent news from Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control: June 20

OFAC took a number of significant sanctions actions over the last week across multiple programs:

Sudan-related Sanctions

• OFAC Sanctions Two South Sudanese Officials Responsible for Conflict-Related Sexual Violence: OFAC  on June 20 designated two South Sudanese individuals involved in conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) in South Sudan. The designees—James Nando, major general in the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces, and Alfred Futuyo, governor of Western Equatoria—have abused their positions of political and military authority to carry out acts of sexual violence against citizens of South Sudan. OFAC’s designations represent the first time that a dedicated focus on CRSV—consistent with the presidential memorandum signed by President Biden in November 2022—has led to the imposition of U.S. sanctions. Read more.

North Korea-related Sanctions

• OFAC Targets Individuals for Supporting North Korea’s WMD Program: OFAC on June 15 sanctioned two North Korean individuals—Choe Chol Min and his wife, Choe Un Jong—for their roles in the procurement of equipment and materials that support the North Korean regime’s ballistic missile program. OFAC warns that North Korea continues to utilize a network of representatives in foreign countries, including the People’s Republic of China and Iran, to illicitly import restricted components necessary to conduct research and development of its unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs, in violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions. Read more.

Transnational Criminal Organizations Sanctions Regulations

• OFAC Targets Mexicali TCO: OFAC on June 16 imposed sanctions on Mexicali, Mexico-based organization, Hernandez Salas transnational criminal organization, its members and entities that support the TCO. Salas TCO is a human smuggling organization responsible for thousands of individuals illegally entering the United States. OFAC designated Ofelia Hernandez Salas, leader of the Hernandez Salas TCO. She is involved in document forgery and corruption in Mexico to smuggle undocumented migrants into the United States via the southern border and has links to the Sinaloa Cartel. Hernandez Salas is awaiting extradition to the United States from Mexico. The other designees are Raul Saucedo Huipio, Jesus Gerardo Chavez Tamayo, Fatima Del Rocio Maldonado Lopez and Federico Hernandez Sanchez. OFAC also designated Hotel Plaza and Hotel Las Torres. Read more.

Russia-related Sanctions

• OFAC Updates Russia-related Designation: OFAC on June 15 updated a listing for Gold Miles Limited, a Hong Kong-based company originally designated on May 19, 2023, for being owned or controlled by OFAC-designated John Desmond Hanafin. Hanafin was designated for operating or having operated in the financial services sector of the Russian economy. See OFAC’s updated listing.