US sanctions on Belarus

The US Treasury Department announced that sanctions imposed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) were extended on the third anniversary of the Belarusian authorities’ falsification of the August 2020 presidential election and harsh crackdown. of the Belarusian protest movement demanding fundamental freedoms.

In the statement, it was noted that 8 individuals and 5 organizations were added to the sanctions list, with one aircraft being defined as a “blocked asset.”

It was emphasized that this OFAC action targeted various organizations involved in the ongoing crackdown on civil society against the Belarusian regime, Russia’s complicity in its unjust war in Ukraine, and the enrichment of Belarusian regime leader Alexander Lukashenko.

The sanctions also reflect the common view of America’s allies that the prolonged subjugation of the Belarusian people and Russia’s continued support for its war with Ukraine remains a global concern.

“THE PRICE OF BAD TREATMENT OF ITS OWN CITIZENS”

It was stated that OFAC’s targeted individuals and organizations today include 3 state-owned enterprises (SOEs), the manager and subsidiary of one of the SOEs, 1 Belarusian state institution and 4 employees of the institution, and 3 persons facilitating tax evasion. sanctions. .

Brian Nelson, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the US Treasury Department, stressed that, in line with their partners and allies, they will continue to ensure that the Belarusian regime pays the price for its mistreatment of its citizens and that the measures taken in response to Russian aggression are not bypassed through Belarus.

On the other hand, OFAC would also have sanctioned 3 members of the Sinaloa Cartel involved in the illegal trafficking of fentanyl and other deadly drugs. (AA)