EU Council extends Nicaragua sanctions until October 2027 and updates listing

The Council of the European Union has extended its restrictive measures in view of the situation in Nicaragua until 15 October 2027 and updated the statement of reasons for one person on the sanctions list. The decision was adopted on 9 October 2026 and published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 12 October 2026 as Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/2272, together with Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2271.

The Nicaragua regime dates from 14 October 2019, when the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2019/1720 (OJ L 262, 15.10.2019, p. 58) and Regulation (EU) 2019/1716 (OJ L 262, 15.10.2019, p. 1). The measures were due to lapse on 15 October 2026; after a review, the Council decided to roll them over for a further year. Both texts were signed at Luxembourg on 9 October 2026 by the President of the Council, S. Harris, and enter into force on the day following publication, that is 13 October 2026.

Extension of the sanctions regime

• Decision (CFSP) 2026/2272 amends Article 9, first paragraph, of Decision (CFSP) 2019/1720, replacing the date “15 October 2026” with “15 October 2027”.
• The same Decision amends the Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2019/1720.
• Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2271 amends Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/1716, giving effect in EU law to the listing change.
• Both acts were adopted on a proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

Updated statement of reasons

The review updated the entry for one natural person, listed as number 4:

• Néstor MONCADA LAU, date of birth 2 March 1954, gender male.
• Described as personal advisor to the President of Nicaragua on national security matters until 2025.
• In that capacity, from April 2018 onwards he was directly involved in and responsible for decision-making on national security matters and the establishment of repressive policies carried out by the State of Nicaragua against people taking part in demonstrations, opposition representatives and journalists.
• Date of listing: 4 May 2020.

Notices to listed persons and data subjects

Two notices accompanied the package in the C series of the Official Journal of 12 October 2026:

• C/2026/5297 informs the persons, entities and bodies in the Annex to Decision (CFSP) 2019/1720 and Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2019/1716 that the Council, after reviewing the list, decided they should continue to be included.
• Those concerned may apply to the competent authorities of the relevant Member State for authorisation to use frozen funds for basic needs or specific payments, under Article 3 of the Regulation.
• They may ask the Council to reconsider their listing, with supporting documentation, before 31 May 2027, at the Council General Secretariat, RELEX.1, Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 175, 1048 Brussels (sanctions@consilium.europa.eu).
• They may also challenge the Council’s decision before the General Court of the European Union under Article 275(2) and Article 263(4) and (6) TFEU.
• C/2026/5298 informs data subjects, under Article 16 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725, that the Council processes their personal data, which are retained for five years after removal from the list or expiry of the measure.

The extension keeps the asset freeze and travel restrictions in force for another year, so EU operators and counterparties must continue to check the consolidated list before dealing with the persons and entities concerned. The updated entry for Néstor MONCADA LAU also means the published grounds for his listing now reflect the Council’s latest review.

Source: Official Journal of the European Union, L series, No 2026/2272, 12 October 2026 (official reference: Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/2272; ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2026/2272/oj).