NEW YORK – The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated today six Nicaraguan officials as President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo are scheduled to be inaugurated, the U.S. ministry announced in a public statement.

The action targets officials of the Nicaraguan military, the Nicaraguan minister of defense, the Nicaraguan Institute of Telecommunications and Mail (TELCOR), and the state-owned Nicaraguan Mining Company (ENIMINAS), the statement said.

The U.S. Treasury is taking action along with the European Union, which today also imposed sanctions against the Ortega-Murillo regime’s on “ongoing abuses following fraudulent national elections orchestrated by their regime in November, further consolidating their control of power to the detriment of the Nicaraguan people,” according to the statement.

“The Ortega-Murillo regime continues its subjugation of democracy through effectuating sham elections, silencing peaceful opposition, and holding hundreds of people as political prisoners,” said Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. “The United States and our partners are sending a clear message to President Ortega, Vice President Murillo, and their inner circle that we continue to stand with the Nicaraguan people in their calls for the immediate release of these political prisoners and a return to democracy,” Nelson added in the statement.

The designation affects:

-Bayardo De Jesus Pulido Ortiz, a brigadier general and the head of the personnel and cadre department of the Nicaraguan Army and a member of the board of directors of the Military Social Welfare Institute (IPSM).

-Bayardo Ramon Rodriguez Ruiz, a major general and the chief of the general staff of the Nicaraguan Army and a member of the board of directors of the IPSM.

-Rosa Adelina Barahona De Rivas, the Nicaraguan minister of defense and a member of the board of directors of the IPSM.

-Celina Delgado Castellon, the deputy director general of TELCOR, and a member of the board of directors of the National Electric Transmission Company (ENATREL) representing TELCOR.

-Nahima Janett Diaz Flores, the director general of TELCOR.

-Ramon Humberto Calderon Vindell, a retired major general, former president of the board of directors of Nicaraguan state owned oil company Petroleos de Nicaragua, and president of the board of directors of the ENIMINAS.

Also relevant:
* EU hits Nicaragua with sanctions over November election: Reuters
* U.S. Treasury Sanctions Nicaragua’s Public Ministry, Nine Officials Over ‘Pantomime’ Elections
* U.S. Reviews Sanctions Policy Vowing to Mitigate Unintended Economic, Political Impacts
* The United States of Sanctions: Foreign Affairs