15 Nicaraguan Officials Added to Sanctions

Summary#

These final regulations add 15 people to the schedule of the Special Economic Measures (Nicaragua) Regulations. The change bars Canadians and people in Canada from certain financial and commercial dealings with those listed and makes the listed people inadmissible to Canada. The regulations were registered on July 14, 2021 and published on July 21, 2021.

What it does#

• Adds the following 15 people to the schedule of the Special Economic Measures (Nicaragua) Regulations:
  • Ramón Antonio AVELLÁN Medal
  • Luis Alberto PÉREZ Olivas
  • Justo Pastor URBINA
  • Juan Antonio VALLE Valle
  • Ana Julia GUIDO De Romero
  • Lumberto Ignacio CAMPBELL Hooker
  • Iván Adolfo ACOSTA Montalván
  • José Jorge MOJICA Mejía
  • Marvin Ramiro AGUILAR García
  • Wálmaro Antonio GUTIÉRREZ Mercado
  • Fidel De Jesús DOMÍNGUEZ Alvárez
  • Camila Antonia ORTEGA Murillo
  • Leonardo Ovidio REYES Ramírez
  • Edwin Ramón CASTRO Rivera
  • Julio Modesto RODRÍGUEZ Balladares
• Once listed, the regulations generally prohibit Canadians and anyone in Canada from:
  • dealing in property owned, held or controlled by a listed person;
  • entering into or facilitating transactions related to such property;
  • providing financial or related services for those dealings;
  • making goods available to a listed person; and
  • providing financial or related services to or for the benefit of a listed person.
• As a result of being listed, those individuals are made inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
• The Minister of Foreign Affairs can issue permits to allow specified otherwise-prohibited activities (for example, humanitarian exceptions).
• The amendments came into force on the day they were registered: July 14, 2021.

Who's affected#

• The 15 named individuals listed above.
• Canadians in Canada and Canadian citizens abroad who might otherwise do business or provide services to those people.
• Canadian banks and financial institutions, which must update monitoring and compliance systems to block prohibited dealings.
• Canadian businesses that might seek a permit to carry out otherwise-prohibited transactions with listed people.
• Enforcement agencies such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canada Border Services Agency, which are responsible for enforcing the sanctions.

Why it matters#

• These are targeted sanctions aimed at putting pressure on the Government of Nicaragua by restricting the financial and commercial ability of named individuals.
• For everyday Canadians, the direct effect is limited unless they or their business have ties to the listed people. Financial institutions will make sure transactions involving these people are blocked.
• The rules include a permit process and humanitarian exceptions, so some limited transactions may still be allowed under strict approval.
• Breaking the prohibitions can lead to penalties, including fines (up to $25,000 on summary conviction) and imprisonment; enforcement is carried out by federal agencies.