US sanctions Nicaraguan officials, Cuba-related companies

The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on three Nicaraguan officials over their support for left-wing President Daniel Ortega’s government.

President Donald Trump’s administration has kept up a steady stream of sanctions announcements since the November election that handed Democrat Joe Biden a win. President-elect Biden is to be sworn in to office on January 20.

The US Treasury Department said it blacklisted officials including the vice president of the Nicaraguan Supreme Court in an effort to target those continuing to assist the Ortega government’s efforts to undermine democracy.

“This Administration remains committed to targeting the Ortega regime by seeking out and exposing those who continue to suppress the democratic will of the Nicaraguan people,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in the statement.

The officials blacklisted are Marvin Ramiro Aguilar Garcia, vice president of the Nicaraguan Supreme Court of Justice; Walmaro Antonio Gutierrez Mercadeo, a National Assembly deputy; and Fidel De Jesus Dominguez Alvarez, chief of the national police in the city of Leon.

In separate action on Monday, the Trump administration slapped Cuba-related sanctions on three businesses it accused of being run by the Cuban military and evading existing sanctions.

The companies blacklisted are: Grupo de Administración Empresarial SA, Financiera Cimex SA and Kave Coffee, SA.