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6/11/2020

Treasury Sanctions Senior Nicaraguan Government Officials, Increasing Pressure on President Ortega’s Regime | U.S. Department of th…

Treasury Sanctions Senior Nicaraguan Government Officials,
Increasing Pressure on President Ortega’s Regime
May 22, 2020

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control
(OFAC) designated two senior Nicaraguan government officials, Julio Cesar Aviles Castillo and
Ivan Adolfo Acosta Montalvan for supporting the corrupt Ortega regime. Since April 2018, the
Ortega regime has cracked down on political opposition, leading to more than 300 deaths, 2,000
injuries, hundreds of political and civil society actors imprisoned, and over 100,000 refugees
fleeing the country.
“The Ortega regime’s continued violations of basic human rights, blatant corruption, and
widespread violence against the Nicaraguan people are unacceptable,” said Treasury Secretary
Steven T. Mnuchin. “The United States will target those who prop up the Ortega regime and
perpetuate the oppression of the Nicaraguan people.”
Julio Cesar Aviles Castillo and Ivan Adolfo Acosta Montalvan are being designated pursuant to
Executive Order (E.O.) 13851 “Blocking Property of Certain Persons Contributing to the Situation
in Nicaragua.”

JULIO CESAR AVILES CASTILLO
Julio Cesar Aviles Castillo (Aviles) was designated for being a current official of the Government
of Nicaragua as the Commander-in-Chief of the Nicaraguan Army. Aviles, who is politically
aligned with President Ortega, refused to order the disbarment and dismantling of paramilitary
or “parapolice” forces during and a er the political uprisings that began on April 18, 2018. The
military provided weapons to the parapolice who carried out acts of violence against the
Nicaraguan people, which resulted in more than 300 deaths, significant acts of violence, and
human rights abuse against persons associated with the protests.

IVAN ADOLFO ACOSTA MONTALVAN

https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1019

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6/11/2020

Treasury Sanctions Senior Nicaraguan Government Officials, Increasing Pressure on President Ortega’s Regime | U.S. Department of th…

Ivan Adolfo Acosta Montalvan (Acosta) was designated for being a current official of the
Government of Nicaragua as the Minister of Finance and Public Credit in Nicaragua. Acosta has
continued to arrange significant financial support to the Ortega regime. Additionally, Acosta
personally threatened banks to not participate in a strike organized by opposition leaders in
March 2019, the purpose of which was to push for the freeing of political prisoners.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS
As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of these individuals that are in
the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be
reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or
more by such individuals are also blocked. OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all dealings by
U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in
property of blocked or designated persons.
Identifying information on the individuals designated today.
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https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm1019

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