The Office of Foreign Assets Control announced the following sanctions action last week.
Enforcement Action
OFAC reaches $11.8 million settlement with Interactive Brokers: On July 15, the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced a $11.8 million settlement with Interactive Brokers LLC (IB) for apparent violations of multiple sanctions programs. From July 2016 to January 2024, IB provided services to individuals in Iran, Cuba, Syria, and Crimea; processed trades involving Chinese Military-Industrial Complex securities; and conducted transactions with blocked persons under sanctions targeting Russia, Venezuela, Syria, and others.
OFAC also cited IB’s involvement in new investments in Russia. OFAC classified the conduct as non-egregious and noted that IB voluntarily self-disclosed the violations. Read more.
Terrorism-related Sanctions
TFTC sanctions ISIS facilitators in Africa: On July 14, OFAC announced joint sanctions with the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC) against three ISIS facilitators: Zayd Gangat, Hamidah Nabagala, and Abdiweli Mohamed Yusuf. These individuals played key roles in financing and supporting ISIS operations across the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, and South Africa. This marks the eighth round of joint designations by the TFTC. Read more.
Foreign Terrorist Organization Sanctions
OFAC Sanctions Leaders of Venezuelan Criminal Organization Tren de Aragua: On July 17, OFAC sanctioned Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores (a.k.a. “Niño Guerrero”), the leader of Tren de Aragua—a violent Venezuelan criminal organization involved in drug trafficking, human smuggling, extortion, sexual exploitation, and money laundering. Five additional key figures were also designated: Yohan Jose Romero (“Johan Petrica”), Josue Angel Santana Pena (“Santanita”), Wilmer Jose Perez Castillo (“Wilmer Guayabal”), Guerrero’s wife Wendy Marbelys Rios Gomez, and Felix Anner Castillo Rondon (“Pure Arnel”). Read more.
