The United Kingdom’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation amended an entry for Martin Koumtamadji, the leader of an anti-government militia in the Central African Republic, according to a June 1 notice. Koumtamadji, who was also sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council (see 2005060021), is still subject to an asset freeze.

The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned four companies and four vessels for operating in Venezuela's oil sector, according to a June 2 press release. The designated entities include Marshall Islands-based Afranav Maritime Ltd., owner of the Panamanian-flagged Athens Voyager; Greece-based Seacomber Ltd., owner of the Maltese flagged Chios I; Marshall Islands-based Adamant Maritime Ltd., owner of Bahamian-flagged Seahero; and Marshall Islands-based Sanibel Shiptrade Ltd., owner of the Marshall Islands-flagged Voyager I.

The United Nations Security Council renewed its arms embargo and sanctions against South Sudan, the UN said May 29. The measures are extended until July 1, 2021. The European Union had urged the UN to renew the embargo (see 2005040018). The U.S. renewed sanctions against the country in April (see 2004020018).

The European Council extended European Union sanctions against Syria for one year, until June 1, 2021, according to a May 28 press release. The sanctions will continue to target members of the Syrian regime, their supporters, and businesspeople who aid the “suffering” of the Syrian people, European Commission Vice President Josep Borrell said in a statement. The council also removed sanctions from two people and one company that “halted their sanctionable behavior,” along with two additional deceased persons.

The State Department announced sanctions on Amir Zukic, a former member of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s House of Representatives, according to a May 28 press release. Zukic was designated for corruption that undermined the rule of law.

The Trump administration is ending sanctions waivers for certain activities with nuclear projects in Iran, the State Department said May 27. The move will end waivers covering “all remaining” Iranian nuclear projects that originated under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which allowed Chinese, Russian and European companies to work on Iranian nuclear sites.

The United Kingdom’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation amended a sanctions entry for Amir Muhammad Sa'id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla, the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, according to a May 27 notice. He is still subject to an asset freeze. The U.K. and the United Nation Security Council sanctioned the ISIS leader earlier this month (see 2005260021).

The U.S. is considering a variety of sanctions, asset freezes and controls on transactions for China’s planned crackdown on Hong Kong’s autonomy, according to a May 26 report from Bloomberg. The Treasury Department could target Chinese officials and companies, the report said.

The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned two senior Nicaraguan government officials for human rights violations and corruption, Treasury said in a May 22 press release. The sanctions target Julio Cesar Aviles Castillo, the commander-in-chief of the Nicaraguan Army, and Ivan Adolfo Acosta Montalvan, the Minister of Finance and Public Credit.

The State Department certified that Nicaragua is not taking steps to combat corruption, protect civil rights and hold fair elections, which could lead to additional U.S. sanctions, according to a notice. Under the Nicaragua Human Rights and Anticorruption Act of 2018, the U.S. may impose or sustain asset-freezing measures and other penalties after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo certifies that Nicaragua is not taking “effective steps” to stop corruption and other activities.