International Sanctions December 2024 and January 2025

2025-02-03 International Sanctions Newsletters

Tabla de contenidos

1 EUROPEAN UNION
2 UNITED STATES
3 UNITED KINGDOM

EUROPEAN UNION

CONGO (DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC)

On 9 December 2024, Decision (CFSP) 2024/3088 was issued, amending Decision (CFSP) 2010/788, and updating the reasons for sanctions for 4 individuals.

The sanctions regime in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was established by Decision (CFSP) 2010/788 due to the armed conflict in the country, which has led to massive human rights violations, obstruction of the electoral process, and illicit exploitation of natural resources. The regime prevents the entry or transit of those designated and orders the freezing of their assets in the territory of the Union.

GUATEMALA

On 16 December 2024, Decision (CFSP) 2024/3198 was issued, amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/254, and extending the sanctions regime until 13 January 2026.

The sanctions regime in Guatemala was established by Decision (CFSP) 2024/254, due to the European Union’s disapproval of the electoral controversies that took place in the country in 2023. The regime prevents the entry or transit of those designated and orders the seizure of their assets in the territory of the Union.

HAITI

On 16 December 2024, Decision (CFSP) 2024/3139 was issued, amending Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319, and designating 3 new individuals.

The sanctions regime in Haiti was established by Decision (CFSP) 2022/2319, due to the country’s political and economic instability, and sanctions are imposed on those whom the European Union considers to be contrary to the peace, stability and security of Haiti. The regime prevents the entry or transit of those designated and orders the freezing of their assets in the territory of the Union.

MALI

On 13 December 2024, Decision (CFSP) 2024/3149 was issued, amending Decision (CFSP) 2017/1775, extending the regime until 14 December 2025 and updating the grounds for sanctions for three individuals.

The sanctions regime in Mali was established by Decision (CFSP) 2017/1775, due to perceived irregularities in the electoral process by the transitional government and threats to the rule of law. The regime prevents the entry or transit of those designated and orders the freezing of their assets in the territory of the Union.

NORTH KOREA

On 16 December 2024, Decision (CFSP) 2024/3151 was issued, amending Decision (CFSP) 2016/849, updating the grounds for sanctions against 22 individuals and 2 entities, and designating a new entity.

The sanctions regime in North Korea was established by Decision (CFSP) 2016/849, due to the perceived threat to international peace and security posed by its weapons programmes. The regime prevents the entry or transit of those designated and orders the freezing of their assets in the territory of the Union.

RUSSIA

On 16 December 2024, Decision (CFSP) 2024/3182 was issued, amending Decision (CFSP) 2014/145, and amending the sanctions regime measures and designating 53 individuals and 29 entities; Decision (CFSP) 2024/3174 , which amends Decision (CFSP) 2024/2643, and designates 16 individuals and 3 entities; and Decision (CFSP) 2024/3187, which amends the sanctions regime and designates 31 entities and 79 vessels.
On 27 January 2025, Decision (CFSP) 2025/175 was issued, amending Decision 2014/512, and extending the sanctions regime until 31 July 2025.

The sanctions regime against Russia was established by Decision (CFSP) 2014/145, initially due to the Russian military intervention in the Crimean peninsula, and later due to the Russian military intervention in the Donbass. The regime prevents the entry or transit of those designated and orders the freezing of their assets within the territory of the Union.

SUDAN

On 9 December 2024, Decision (CFSP) 2024/3113, implementing Decision (CFSP) 2014/450, was issued, designating two new individuals.

The history of the sanctions regimes in Sudan goes back to the South Sudanese war of independence, whose sanctions regime was established by Decision (CFSP) 2011/423, and replaced by Decision (CFSP) 2014/450.

On 16 December 2024, Decision (CFSP) 2024/3154 was issued, amending Decision (CFSP) 2023/2135, and designating three new individuals.

There is also an internal sanctions regime, established by Decision (CFSP) 2023/2135 due to actions that have been perceived as threats to Sudan’s political transition and internal armed conflict. The sanctions regimes prevent the entry or transit of those designated and order the freezing of their assets in the territory of the Union.

TUNISIA

On 27 January 2025, Decision (CFSP) 2025/155 was issued, amending Decision (CFSP) 2011/72, and extending the regime until 31 January 2026.

The sanctions regime in Tunisia was established by Decision (CFSP) 2011/72, due to perceived threats to democracy and internal repression by the government. The regime orders the freezing of the assets of those designated in the territory of the Union, but does not prevent their entry into or transit through it.

VENEZUELA

On 9 January 2025, Decision (CFSP) 2025/43 was issued, amending Decision (CFSP) Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074, and designating 15 new individuals.

The sanctions regime in Venezuela was established by Decision (CFSP) 2017/2074. The regime prevents the designated individuals from entering or travelling through Venezuela and orders the freezing of their assets within the Union.

CYBER-ATTACKS

On 27 January 2025, Decision (CFSP) 2025/171 was issued, amending Decision (CFSP) 2019/797, and designating 3 new individuals of Russian nationality.

The sanctions regime against cyberattacks threatening the European Union was established by Decision (CFSP) 2019/797. The regime prevents the entry or transit of those designated and orders the freezing of their assets within the territory of the Union.

TERRORISM

On 13 January 2025, Decision (CFSP) 2025/85 was issued, amending Decision (CFSP) 2024/385, and extending the sanctions regime until 20 January 2026.

The sanctions regime against Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad was established by Decision (CFSP) 2024/385 due to perceived hostilities that threaten the peace, security and stability of the region. The regime prevents the entry or transit of those designated and orders the embargo of their assets in the territory of the Union.

HUMAN RIGHTS

On 2 December 2025, Decision (CFSP) 2024/3004 was issued, amending Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999, and designating 17 entities and 115 individuals.

The sanctions regime against human rights abuses and violations was introduced by Decision (CFSP) 2020/1999. The regime prevents the entry or transit of those designated and orders the freezing of their assets within the territory of the Union.

UNITED STATES

IRAN

On 3 December 2024, 14 entities and 21 vessels were designated; on 18 December, 3 individuals and 3 entities; on 19 December, 9 entities and 9 vessels.

BALKANS

On 18 December 2024, 4 individuals and 4 entities were designated.

NORTH KOREA

On 16 December 2024, 11 new individuals and 7 entities were designated.

RUSSIA

On 4 December 2024, six new individuals and five new entities were designated; on 16 December, one entity was designated; on 18 December, two general licences 1B and 115 were issued, and three entities were designated.

SYRIA

On 9 December 2024, 12 individuals and 20 vessels were designated.

ARMS AND DRUG TRAFFICKING

On 11 December 2024, the designations of 31 Colombian individuals and entities were removed; on 17 December, 14 individuals and 9 entities were designated.

CYBER-ATTACKS

On 10 December 2024, one Chinese individual and one Chinese entity were designated.

HUMAN RIGHTS

On 2 December 2024, three new Uzbek individuals were designated under the Global Magnisky sanctions regime; on 19 December, eight individuals (seven Yemenis and two Georgians) and five entities were designated.

UNITED KINGDOM

BELARUS

On 27 January 2025, 6 new individuals and 3 new entities were designated.

CONGO (DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE)

On 9 December 2024, one new individual was designated.

LIBYA

On 2 January 2025, there was a revocation on the list of designated individuals.

RUSSIA

On 9 December 2024, 1 individual was designated; on 17 December, 2 new entities and 20 vessels; and on 10 January, 2 new entities. In total, 1 individual, 4 entities and 20 vessels have been designated.

VENEZUELA

On 10 January 2025, 15 new individuals were designated.

DOMESTIC TERRORISM

On 3 December 2024, a new individual was designated; likewise, on 8 January 2025, 1 new entity related to domestic terrorism in the United Kingdom was designated.

HUMAN RIGHTS