The CAPTA list was created in March 2019 to implement certain trading restrictions on foreign financial institutions which are subject to correspondent or payable-through account sanctions pursuant to the Ukrainian, Russian, Iranian and Lebanon sanctions programmes.
Sanction Name
CAPTA Sanctions
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Trade Restrictions:
Restrictions vary from entity to entity. The CAPTA List specifies the specific prohibition or strict conditions to which the foreign financial institutions are subject.
Exemptions
Links 1
The US has operated sanctions programmes targeting major narcotics suppliers, primarily in Latin America, since the mid-1990s.
On 5th June 2025, OFAC sanctioned four Guyanese nationals and two Colombian nationals responsible for trafficking tons of cocaine from South America to the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean.
On 9th June 2025, OFAC sanctioned Los Chapitos, a faction of the Mexico-based Sinaloa Cartel that facilitates illicit fentanyl trafficking and production. Los Chapitos-controlled laboratories are responsible for introducing fentanyl in counterfeit pills manufactured by the Sinaloa Cartel and trafficked to the United States.
On 18th June 2025, OFAC sanctioned five Mexico-based leaders of Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion, a violent cartel responsible for a significant share of fentanyl and other illicit drugs entering the United States. OFAC further designated two fugitive leaders of Los Chapitos, Archivaldo Ivan Guzman Salazar and Jesus Alfredo Guzman Salazar, sons of incarcerated Sinaloa Cartel leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman Loera.
Sanction Name
Narcotics Sanctions Program
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Specially Designated National:
• Any foreign person determined to be involved in international narcotics trafficking or supporting such activities.
Exemptions
Links 1
A range of counter terrorist sanctions programmes have been imposed by the UN and in a number of global jurisdictions, intensifying in the years following the 2001 attacks on New York by Al-Qaeda and the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
SECO has three separate counter terrorism regimes targeting those with links to the Taliban, those with links to ISIL and Al-Qaeda, and those supporting Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
On 16th June 2025, the UN added Uganda-based Abubakar Swalleh to its list for his services in support of ISIL in East and Southern Africa.
Sanction Name
UN Sanctions for Preventing Terrorism
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Asset Freeze, Arms Embargo and Travel Ban:
• Persons and entities deemed to be linked to or supporting Al-Qaeda or ISIS/Daesh.
Exemptions
1. The travel ban does not apply where entry or transit is necessary for the fulfilment of a judicial process.
2. Exemptions to the Asset Freeze for basic and extraordinary expenses may be applied by the Daesh and Al Qaida Sanctions Committee on a case by case basis.
On 8th October 2024, the EU extended its sanctions programme against ISIL/Da’esh and Al Qaeda for a further year until 31st October 2025.
Sanction Name
Restrictive Measures Directed Against Certain Persons And Entities With A View To Combating Terrorism
SANCTIONS
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Asset Freeze, Arms Embargo and Travel Ban:
• Those determined to be involved in the preparation, carrying out or funding of acts of terrorism, including any entities deemed to be associated with Al-Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, ISIS/Daesh or the Taliban. Includes prohibitions on travel and the provision of arms or related materiel to these entities.
Exemptions
1. Travel ban exemptions can be granted on a case-by-case basis on humanitarian grounds, for the purpose of a judicial process or where a member state is bound by an obligation towards an international organisation.
2. Asset freeze exemptions are also permitted for humanitarian purposes, basic expenses, the provision of legal and professional services, fees for holding of frozen funds and for the satisfaction of judicial, administrative or arbitral liens or judgments dated before the party in question was listed.
Sanction Name
Measures against entities and persons supporting Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad
SANCTIONS
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Asset Freeze and Travel Ban:
• Persons and entities supporting Hamas of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. This programme includes asset freezes and travel bans.
Exemptions
1. Asset freeze exemptions can be granted to protect Swiss interests or prevent cases of rigor. Travel ban exemptions may be granted to protect Swiss interests.
Sanction Name
Measures against entities and persons linked to the Taliban
SANCTIONS
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Asset Freeze, Arms Embargo and Travel Ban:
• Persons and entities linked to the Taliban. This programme includes a prohibition on the supply of arms and related material and travel bans.
Exemptions
Sanction Name
Measures against entities and persons linked to ISIL (Daesh), Al-Qaeda, and others suspected of international terrorism or its financing
SANCTIONS
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Asset Freeze, Arms Embargo and Travel Ban:
• Persons and entities linked to ISIL (Daesh), Al-Qaeda or others suspected of international terrorism or its financing. This programme includes a prohibition on the supply of arms and related material and travel bans.
Exemptions
1. Asset freeze exemptions can be granted to protect Swiss interests or prevent cases of rigor. Travel ban exemptions may be granted to protect Swiss interests.
On10th June 2025, OFAC sanctioned five individuals and five sham charities located abroad that are prominent financial supporters of Hamas’s Military Wing and its terrorist activities, identified as responsible for funding Hamas’s Military Wing under the pretence of conducting humanitarian work, both internationally and in Gaza. OFAC also sanctioned a separate fraudulent charity linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
On 20th June 2025, OFAC took its single largest action to date against Iran-backed Ansarallah, commonly known as the Houthis, targeting four individuals, 12 entities, and two vessels that have imported oil and other illicit goods in support of the terrorist group. This action includes Houthi front companies, their owners, and other key Houthi operatives that generate significant revenue for the group through the sale of oil and other commodities on Yemen’s black market and by engaging in smuggling operations through Houthi-controlled ports.
On 3rd, 8th, 9th, 17th, 25th July 2025, OFAC removed and added several different individuals and entities on its SDN list. On 3rd 2025, OFAC designated multiple individuals, entities, and at least one vessel involved in Iranian oil trading on the black market, identifying front companies and their operatives as generating significant revenue for terrorism-linked groups. These sanctions were imposed under counter‑terrorism and Iran‑related authorities, marking a coordinated effort to disrupt illicit oil networks
On the same day, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned key individuals associated with Hizballah’s financial apparatus. These designations targeted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps‑linked facilitators under the same authorities—counter‑terrorism, Iran‑related, and counter‑narcotics designations
On 9th July 2025, OFAC expanded sanctions to include additional actors within Iran’s shadow banking system—a network used to route funds for terrorism and defence-related purposes. Some Iran‑related designations were also removed, alongside Iraq‑related removals, all under OFAC’s counter‑terrorism and related sanctions authorities.
On 17th July 2025, OFAC designated top leaders of the Venezuelan criminal organisation Tren de Aragua, recognising it as both a transnational criminal organisation and a terrorism‑linked entity.
On 25th July 2025, OFAC designated the Cartel of the Suns—a Venezuelan drug cartel allegedly run by individuals close to President Maduro—as a terrorist organisation under U.S. law.
Sanction Name
Executive Orders Blocking Property and Prohibiting Certain Transactions
SANCTIONS
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Specially Designated National:
• Foreign persons determined to have committed or to pose a significant risk of committing acts of terrorism that threaten the security of US nationals or the national security, foreign policy or economy of the US and those providing material support to such activities.
Exemptions
1. OFAC authorises certain transactions, the majority of which relate to activities concerning the Palestinian authority, concerning such areas as travel, employment, residence and maintenance; for the payment of taxes and incidental fees; and if they are necessary for the conclusion of activities with the Authority. US persons are also permitted to donate medicine to the Palestinian Authority and authorised to engage in transactions with several entities and individuals within the Palestinian Authority Presidency, Palestinian Judiciary and Palestinian Legislative Council.
2. OFAC permits humanitarian transactions in Iran with the direct or indirect involvement of the Central Bank of Iran.
3. OFAC also permits payments from funds originating from outside the United States for the provision of certain legal services to or on behalf of blocked persons. Transactions involving property and interests in the property of the Government of Iran or Iranian financial institutions are also authorised.
4. General Licence 8, introduced on 27th February 2020, permits certain humanitarian transactions that involve the Central Bank of Iran, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by OFAC.
5. On 10th December 2021 OFAC issued General License 16 which authorised transactions involving the Taliban or the Haqqani Network that are necessary to the transfer of non-commercial personal remittances to Afghanistan.
6. On 22nd December 2021 OFAC issued General Licenses 17, 18, and 19 adding to the exemption for personal remittance an exemption for the provision of humanitarian assistance to a range of civil society bodies under the control of the Taliban or Haqqani network.
7. On 15th November 2022 OFAC issued General License 21 authorising limited safety and environmental transactions involving certain vessels that are prohibited by the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations. On 14th December 2022 OFAC issued General License 21A updating the exemptions laid out in General License 21.
8. On 12th January 2023 OFAC issued General License 21B, authorising until 13th April 2023 limited safety and environmental transactions involving certain individuals and vessels which are subject to Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations. This includes transactions necessary to the safe docking and anchoring of any of the sanctioned vessels in port; the preservation of the health and safety of the crew of any sanctioned vessel; emergency repairs of any sanctioned vessel; or environmental mitigation or protection activities related to any sanctioned vessel.
Links 1
Sanction Name
Non-SDN Palestinian Legislative Council Sanctions
SANCTIONS
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Trade Restrictions:
US financial institutions are required to reject transactions with members of the Palestinian Legislative Council who were elected on the party slate of Hamas, or any other Foreign Terrorist Organization, Specially Designated Terrorist, or Specially Designated Global Terrorist, provided that any such individuals are not named on OFAC’s list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN List).
Exemptions
US sanctions programmes targeting cyber-related activities were first instituted by executive order in 2015 and strengthened by additional measures the following year.
On 12th May 2025, the EU extended its cyber sanctions regime for one year until 18th May 2026. The legal framework was extended for three years until 18th May 2028.
Sanction Name
Restrictive Measures Against Cyber-Attacks Threatening The Union or its Member States
SANCTIONS
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Asset Freeze and Travel Ban:
• Individuals and/or entities responsible for cyber-attacks or attempted cyber-attacks, as well as those involved in or offering financial, technical or material support for these attacks and those who assist, encourage, facilitate or are associated with them.
Exemptions
On 29th May 2025 OFAC sanctioned Funnull Technology Inc, a Philippines-based company that provides computer infrastructure for websites involved in virtual currency investment scams, commonly known as “pig butchering,” along with its administrator, Liu Lizhi.
On 1st July 2025 OFAC designated Aeza Group, a bulletproof hosting (“BPH”) services provider, for its role in supporting cybercriminal activity targeting victims in the US and globally. OFAC also designated two affiliated companies and four Aeza Group leaders. In conjunction with the UK, OFAC also designated one Aeza Group front company.
On 8th July 2025 OFAC designated DPRK-based cyber actor Kum Hyok Song and Russian national Gayk Asatryan, and their companies for the hiring and deployment of IT workers who fraudulently gain employment with companies around the world to generate revenue for the DPRK regime. In some cases, these DPRK IT workers have been known to introduce malware into company networks for additional exploitation.
Sanction Name
Specially Designated National of Certain Persons Engaging in Significant Malicious Cyber-Enabled Activities
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Specially Designated National:
• Individuals involved in cyber-enabled activities likely to contribute to a significant threat to US national security, foreign policy, economic health or financial stability. This includes the theft of trade secrets, personal identifiers, or financial information and those who benefit from such theft.
Exemptions
1. On 2nd February 2017 OFAC issued a general licence authorising transactions with Russia’s FSB to a value of under $5,000, provided that any transfer of goods or technology subject to Export Administration Regulations is licensed by the Department of Commerce.
2. On March 2nd 2021 OFAC issued General License 1B permitting certain transactions with the FSB for administrative reasons, as long as said transactions do not exceed $5,000 per calendar year.
Links 1
The US-programme on foreign election interference was precipitated by allegations that Russia sought to manipulate the result of the country’s 2016 Presidential election, which saw Donald Trump secure the office.
Sanction Name
Sanctions in the Event of Foreign Interference in a United States Election
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Specially Designated National:
• Any foreign person determined by the Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Attorney General and the Security of Homeland Security to have directly or indirectly engaged in foreign interference in a US election. Those deemed to have provided financial assistance or technological support for above persons are also sanctioned.
Exemptions
Since 2012 the US has published a list of foreign individuals and entities determined to have violated, attempted to violate, conspired to violate, or caused violations of US sanctions on Syria or Iran.
Sanction Name
Foreign Sanctions Evaders List
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Trade Restrictions:
• Transactions by US persons or within the US involving individuals and entities on the Foreign Sanctions Evaders list are prohibited.
Exemptions
In December 2020 the EU introduced its new Global Human Rights sanctions programme to target state and non-state actors guilty of human rights abuses.
On 4th December 2023 the European Council prolonged its Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime for three years until 8th December 2026.
Sanction Name
Global Human Rights Sanctions
SANCTIONS
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Asset Freeze and Travel Ban
• Any individuals, entities or bodies responsible for, involved in or associated with serious human rights violations and abuses worldwide, no matter where they occurred. It applies to acts such as genocide, crimes against humanity and other serious human rights violations or abuses. Other human rights violations or abuses can also fall under the scope of this sanctions regime, if they are widespread, systematic or otherwise of serious concern as regards the objectives of the EU common foreign and security policy.
Exemptions
The Global Magnitsky act, signed into law in 2016 by then US-President Donald Trump, extends the principles of the Magnitsky sanctions programme to all global actors.
On 30th July 2025, OFAC sanctioned Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes under the Global Magnitsky Act for serious human rights abuses, including allegedly using his judicial power to suppress free speech and detain critics, both Brazilian and American, without due process. His actions allegedly included targeting opposition politicians, journalists, and U.S. social media companies, and ordering censorship and police raids.
Sanction Name
Specially Designated Nationals on Persons Involved in Serious Human Rights Abuse or Corruption
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Specially Designated National:
• Individuals determined to be responsible for or complicit in, or to have directly or indirectly engaged in, certain human rights abuses or corrupt acts anywhere in the world.
• On 20th December 2017 an Executive Order was issued by then-President Trump, declaring a national emergency with respect to serious human rights abuses and corruption globally, and implementing the provisions of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, signed into law on 23rd December 2016. The sanctions, effective from 21st December 2017, comprise financial sanctions and visa restrictions on persons deemed to be corrupt or accountable for human rights abuses.
Exemptions
1. General License 5 authorises certain transactions relating to Frigorifico Chajha SAE, and General License 6 authorises the wind down of transactions involving Bebidas USA Inc, Tabacos USA Inc, Frigorifico Chajha SAE, Dominica Acquisition SA, or certain blocked entities owned by Horacio Manuel Cartes Jara.
2. General Licence 7,authorises certain transactions involving Tabacalera del Este SA or Tabacos USA Inc pursuant to the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.
3. General License 8 authorises transactions involving any entity
that is blocked solely due to a property interest of Ly Yong Phat (Ly) or L.Y.P. Group Co., LTD (L.Y.P. Group) or any entity in which Ly or L.Y.P. Group owns, directly or indirectly, a 50 percent or greater interest.
Links 1
On 19th July 2022 OFAC introduced a new sanctions programme to bolster efforts to bring hostages and wrongfully detained US nationals home.
Sanction Name
Bolstering Efforts To Bring Hostages and Wrongfully Detained United States Nationals Home
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Asset Freeze and Travel Ban
• Any individuals, entities or bodies found to be responsible for or complicit in, to have directly or indirectly engaged in, or to be responsible for ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing, the hostage-taking of a United States national or the wrongful detention of a United States national abroad.
Exemptions
On 6th February 2025 OFAC announced sanctions against the International Criminal Court, after President Trump accused it of “illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and our close ally Israel” referring to the November 2024 arrest warrant issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
On 5th June 2025, OFAC sanctioned four individuals, currently serving as judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Sanction Name
Imposing Sanctions on the International Criminal Court
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Asset Freeze and Travel Ban:
• Any person or entity who has directly engaged in any effort by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute a protected person without consent of that person’s country of nationality
• Any person or entity who has materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of people in the above category
• Any entity that is owned or controlled by, or to have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person whose property or interests in property are blocked pursuant to the order
Exemptions
Magnitsky sanctions were imposed by the US in 2012 specifically targeting officials involved in the death of Russian accountant Sergei Magnitsky. Magnitsky died in 2009 while being detained in relation to an investigation by Russian law enforcement into the alleged theft of state assets by brokerage firm Hermitage Capital. He is alleged to have been tortured while in detention and the investigation itself is alleged to have been politically motivated.
Sanction Name
Magnitsky Rule Of Law Accountability Act Of 2012
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Specially Designated National:
• Russian officials determined to be responsible for Magnitsky’s death in custody.
• On 21st December 2017 OFAC added regulations to implement certain provisions of the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012. These included prohibited transactions involving blocked property; effect of transfers violating such provisions; the holding of funds in interest-bearing accounts, as well as those used for investment and re-investment; expenses of maintaining blocked physical property and liquidation of such property; evasions, attempts, causing violations and conspiracies; and exempt transactions.
Exemptions
Non-proliferation sanctions are operated by the US and the EU, targeting users and developers of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.
On 14th October 2024, the EU extended its chemical weapons sanctions regime for one year until 16th October 2025.
Sanction Name
Restrictive Measures Against The Proliferation And Use Of Chemical Weapons
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Asset Freeze and Travel Ban
• Any individuals or entities responsible for the development and use of chemical weapons as well as those who provide financial, technical or material support for such activities and those who assist or who are associated with them.
Exemptions
1. Travel ban exemptions can be granted on a case-by-case basis on humanitarian grounds, for the attendance of intergovernmental meetings or for the fulfilment of judicial processes.
On 12th May 2025 the US State Department designated three offal’s of Iran’s Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research’s Shahid Karimi Group, a group that works on explosives-related projects, as well as one affiliated company that has attempted to procure from foreign suppliers. The three individuals and entities were designated for engaging or attempting to engage in activities or transactions that materially contribute to, or pose a risk of materially contributing to, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction or their means of delivery (including missiles capable of delivering such weapons), including any efforts to manufacture, acquire, possess, develop, transport or transfer such items, by Iran, a foreign country of proliferation concern.
On 14th May 2025 OFAC designated six individuals and 12 entities for their involvement in efforts to help the Iranian regime domestically source the manufacturing of critical materials needed for Tehran’s ballistic missile program.
On 20th June 2025, OFAC designated one individual and eight entities, and identifying one vessel as blocked property, for their involvement in the procurement and transshipment of sensitive machinery for Iran’s defence industry.
Sanction Name
Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators and Their Supporters
SANCTIONS
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Specially Designated National:
• Any individuals found to be involved in the proliferation of material or knowledge relating to the construction of weapons of mass destruction and their wider support networks.
Exemptions
1. Under five General Licences, OFAC authorises certain transactions related to the arrest, detention and judicial sale of six specific vessels on its SDN list.
2. On 30th September 2020 OFAC issued amendments to the programme entitled Blocking Property of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferators and Their Supporters.
Links 1
OFAC and SECO both operate sanctions programmes in support of the Kimberley Process, which seeks to eliminate blood diamonds from the global market.
Sanction Name
Rough Diamond Trade Restrictions
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Trade Restrictions:
• The importation, export and storage of rough diamonds requires a tamper-proof certificate. Trade in rough diamonds is allowed only with countries participating in the Kimberly Process.
Exemptions
Sanction Name
Rough Diamonds Control Regulations
SANCTIONS
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Trade Restrictions:
• Prohibits the importation into and export from the US of any rough diamonds not controlled through the Kimberley Process.
Exemptions
OFAC operates sanctions against international criminal groups deemed to threaten the country’s national security.
On 21st May 2025 OFAC sanctioned two high-ranking members of the Mexico-based Cartel del Noreste (“CDN”), formerly known as Los Zetas. CDN, one of the most violent drug trafficking organisations in Mexico and a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, exerts significant influence over the border region, especially near the Laredo/Nuevo Laredo point of entry.
On 24th June 2025, OFAC sanctioned Giovanni Vicente Mosquera Serrano (Mosquera Serrano), a fugitive leader of Tren de Aragua (TdA) who is involved in the organization’s drug trafficking and financial operations. On 21st May 2025 OFAC sanctioned two high-ranking members of the Mexico-based Cartel del Noreste (“CDN”), formerly known as Los Zetas. CDN, one of the most violent drug trafficking organisations in Mexico and a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization, exerts significant influence over the border region, especially near the Laredo/Nuevo Laredo point of entry.
On 17th July 2025, OFAC sanctioned Héctor “Niño” Guerrero, leader of the Venezuelan criminal group and designated foreign terrorist organisation Tren de Aragua, along with five senior members and affiliates.
Sanction Name
Specially Designated Nationals of Transnational Criminal Organizations
First Imposed
Last updated
Targets
Specially Designated National:
• Foreign entities determined to constitute significant transnational criminal organisations or to have materially assisted such organisations.
Exemptions
