Nicaragua Sanctions
NINicaragua is currently subject to 6 active sanctions programs imposed by Global Affairs Canada, European Union Council, Office of Foreign Assets Control, Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, State Secretariat for Economic Affairs and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. These measures include asset freeze, travel ban, financial restrictions and trade restrictions. This page lists every program targeting Nicaragua, the legal bases behind them, and the most recent changes.
Last updated 3 Aug 2026
Programs
6
Authorities
6
Restriction Types
4
Restrictions
Sanctioning Authorities
Sanctions Programs
Canada's sanctions against Nicaragua under the Special Economic Measures Act. Total designated: 35 (35 individuals). Earliest listing: 2019-06-21, latest listing: 2021-11-14.
Resources
At the European Council on 21 January 2019, EU Member States condemned the muzzling of political opponents, independent media and civil society, and the use of anti-terrorist laws to repress dissenting opinions in the Republic of Nicaragua. In view of the continuing violations of human rights and civil liberties in the Republic of Nicaragua and to contribute to a peaceful negotiated way out of the current crisis, the Council established a new restrictive measures framework on 14 October 2019. This framework enables the EU to impose targeted restrictive measures, including travel bans and assets freeze, against persons, entities or bodies responsible for serious human rights violations and for undermining democracy and the rule of law in the Republic of Nicaragua, as well as persons associated with them. Derogations to the restrictive measures are possible, including the delivery of humanitarian aid. Adopted by: EU.
Resources
Sanctions program addressing the national emergency with respect to the situation in Nicaragua, targeting persons contributing to the situation through property blocking and other restrictive measures.
Resources
+10 more
Sanctions regime targeting Nicaragua. 14 designated entities (14 individuals). Designations sourced from the UK. Earliest designation: 2021-11-15, latest update: 2025-04-09.
Resources
Swiss sanctions targeting Nicaragua. Total designated: 24 (21 individuals, 3 entities).
Resources
Sanctions regime targeting designated persons in Nicaragua, including asset freeze and travel ban.
Recent Changes
Resources added
Added: 2 statute(s), 6 federal_register_notice(s), 1 faq(s)
Restrictions removed
Removed: sectoral
Nicaragua sanctions renamed
Program renamed from "Nicaragua sanctions regime" to "Nicaragua sanctions"
Resources added
Added: 1 legal_instrument(s)
Restrictions added
Added: sectoral
Nicaragua sanctions regime renamed
Program renamed from "Nicaragua sanctions" to "Nicaragua sanctions regime"
Legal basis updated for Nicaragua sanctions regime
Added: The Nicaragua (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020. Removed: Nicaragua (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
Resources added
Added: 2 statute(s), 1 regulation(s), 6 federal_register_notice(s)
Resources added
Added: 1 guidance(s)
Resources added
Added: 1 regulation(s)
Resources added
Added: 2 executive_order(s), 2 statute(s), 1 regulation(s), 6 federal_register_notice(s), 1 general_license(s)
Legal basis updated for Nicaragua sanctions
Added: Nicaragua (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020. Removed: The Nicaragua (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
Resources added
Added: 2 executive_order(s)
Restrictions removed
Removed: investment_ban
Legal basis updated for Nicaragua sanctions
Added: The Nicaragua (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020. Removed: Nicaragua (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
Resources added
Added: 2 statute(s), 1 regulation(s), 6 federal_register_notice(s)
Restrictions added
Added: investment_ban
Restrictions added
Added: trade_restrictions
Restrictions removed
Removed: trade_restrictions
Restrictions removed
Removed: financial_restrictions
Nicaragua sanctions renamed
Program renamed from "Nicaragua sanctions regime" to "Nicaragua sanctions"
Restrictions added
Added: financial_restrictions
Target countries updated
Added: BF, HR, JM, MZ, NI, TZ, UG, ZW. Removed: BO, CM, CI, LA, DZ, AO, BG, NA, PG, VG, KW, MC, NP, SS, VE
Nicaragua sanctions regime renamed
Program renamed from "Nicaragua sanctions" to "Nicaragua sanctions regime"
Nicaragua sanctions renamed
Program renamed from "Nicaragua sanctions regime" to "Nicaragua sanctions"
Restrictions removed
Removed: financial_restrictions
Restrictive measures in view of the situation in Nicaragua renamed
Program renamed from "EU Restrictive Measures in view of the Situation in Nicaragua" to "Restrictive measures in view of the situation in Nicaragua"
Restrictions removed
Removed: investment_ban
The Nicaragua (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 renamed
Program renamed from "UK Nicaragua sanctions" to "The Nicaragua (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020"
Restrictions added
Added: investment_ban
Nicaragua sanctions regime renamed
Program renamed from "Nicaragua Sanctions" to "Nicaragua sanctions regime"
Restrictions added
Added: financial_restrictions
Restrictions removed
Removed: investment_ban
Restrictions added
Added: investment_ban
Restrictions removed
Removed: investment_ban
Restrictions removed
Removed: financial_restrictions
Nicaragua Sanctions renamed
Program renamed from "Nicaragua sanctions regime" to "Nicaragua Sanctions"
Restrictions removed
Removed: financial_restrictions
New program: The Nicaragua (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
New sanctions program detected: The Nicaragua (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
Restrictions added
Added: investment_ban
Restrictions removed
Removed: investment_ban
Nicaragua sanctions regime renamed
Program renamed from "UK Nicaragua sanctions" to "Nicaragua sanctions regime"
Restrictions added
Added: financial_restrictions
Restrictions added
Added: trade_restrictions, investment_ban
Legal basis updated for OFAC Nicaragua-related Sanctions
Added: Executive Order 14088 - Taking Additional Steps to Address the National Emergency With Respect to the Situation in Nicaragua (October 24, 2022), Executive Order 13851 - Blocking Property of Certain Persons Contributing to the Situation in Nicaragua (November 27, 2018), Nicaragua Investment Conditionality Act of 2018, Public Law 115-335, as amended (formerly named Nicaragua Human Rights and Anticorruption Act of 2018), Reinforcing Nicaragua's Adherence to Conditions for Electoral Reform Act of 2021, Public Law 117-54, International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), 50 U.S.C. §§ 1701-1706, National Emergencies Act (NEA), 50 U.S.C. §§ 1601-1651, 31 CFR Part 582 - Nicaragua Sanctions Regulations
Restrictions added
Added: financial_restrictions
New program: Switzerland Nicaragua Sanctions
New sanctions program detected: Switzerland Nicaragua Sanctions
New program: Canada Nicaragua Sanctions
New sanctions program detected: Canada Nicaragua Sanctions
New program: UK Nicaragua sanctions
New sanctions program detected: UK Nicaragua sanctions
New program: UK Nicaragua sanctions
New sanctions program detected: UK Nicaragua sanctions