UK sanctions Honduran Congressman under new global anti-corruption regime
The UK Government designated today Honduran Congressman Oscar Ramón Nájera due to his involvement in significant corruption.
In his official capacity, Oscar Ramón Nájera facilitated bribes with public officials that supported a major drug trafficking organisation, ‘Los Cachiros’. Conduct of this nature seriously undermines the rule of law and trust in public institutions in Honduras. Sanctions include assets freeze and travel ban.
This designation is made under the UK’s Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations 2021, launched today and put in place to prevent and combat serious corruption. The Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations 2021 is secondary legislation laid under the powers of the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018.
The Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions regime allows the UK to impose sanctions on those involved in serious corruption around the world. As set out in the Regulations, serious corruption includes bribery and misappropriation. Oscar Ramón Nájera will be prevented from entering the UK, and UK nationals and companies, wherever they are in the world, will be prevented from dealing with funds or economic resources in relation to him.
Today’s actions send a strong political message that the UK considers his conduct to be unacceptable. The Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions regime targets individuals, not countries. The UK currently has no other sanctions targeting Honduran nationals.
These measures are being taken partly in tandem with the US, which is today also announcing further corruption sanctions. Sanctions are most effective when implemented and enforced collectively, and international cooperation is at the heart of UK sanctions policy.
We continue to support initiatives that align with our own values of democracy, the respect for human rights and the rule of law. We will continue working with Honduras to strengthen our bilateral economic relationship, and dealing with other top priority issues, such as tackling climate change and keep promoting good governance.