TITLE: United States Treasury Sanctions Nicaraguan Government Officials and Gold Sector Companies
BODY:
On April 16, 2026, the United States Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated five individuals and seven companies operating in Nicaragua's gold sector. The sanctions target entities and individuals involved in the forcible seizure of U.S.-owned property in Nicaragua, as well as officials within the Nicaraguan government who facilitate the Murillo-Ortega regime's control over the country's mining operations.
The designated individuals include Maurice Facundo Ortega Murillo and Daniel Edmundo Ortega Murillo, sons of Nicaragua's co-presidents Rosario Murillo and Daniel Ortega, who serve as the Nicaraguan Presidential Delegate for Sports and head of the Communication and Citizenship Council respectively. Santiago Hernan Bermudez Tapia, Vice Minister of Energy and Mines, was also designated. Additionally, OFAC sanctioned Feiwu Bian and Anibal Vladimir Matus Buitrago, identified as individuals involved in the occupation of a gold processing facility owned by BHMB Mining Nicaragua S.A., a company with U.S. investment.
The seven designated companies include Exportadora de Metales Sociedad Anonima (EMSA), Grupo Minero Xiloa S.A., Thomas Metal S.A., Nicaragua Xinxin Linze Mineria Group S.A., Brother Metal S.A., Zhong Fu Development S.A., and Santa Rita Mining Company S.A. These entities operate within Nicaragua's gold sector and have been granted mining concessions by the regime. The sanctions were imposed pursuant to Executive Order 13851, as amended by Executive Order 14088, which authorizes sanctions in response to the national emergency regarding Nicaragua.
All property and interests in property of the designated individuals and blocked entities within the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are now blocked. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from conducting transactions involving designated or blocked persons unless authorised by OFAC. Violations may result in civil or criminal penalties.
REFERENCES:
U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control. "Treasury Sanctions Government Officials, Nicaraguan Regime-Linked Gold Firms, and Individuals Involved in Seizing U.S.-Owned Property." April 16, 2026. https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2462