Live Updates

Aktualisierte Sanktionsmeldung: Venezuela

AI Analysis

Executive Summary

On January 13, 2026, Switzerland's State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) updated Annex 1 of the Ordinance on Measures against Venezuela (SR 946.231.178.5), reflecting changes to the list of designated persons and entities subject to Swiss asset freezing measures. This update is critical for Swiss financial institutions and regulated entities as it directly impacts sanctions compliance obligations and requires immediate verification of client and counterparty lists against the revised designations.

What Changed

The regulatory update modifies the designated persons list under Switzerland's unilateral freezing measures against Venezuela. While the search results reference a separate FINMA ordinance (RS 196.127.85) adopted on January 5, 2026, which froze assets of 37 persons in the context of Venezuela, the January 13 update to SR 946.231.178.5 represents an amendment to Switzerland's broader sanctions ordinance framework. The specific changes to Annex 1 require Swiss entities to: - Update their sanctions screening systems with revised designations - Identify any existing relationships with newly designated or de-designated persons/entities - Implement immediate asset freezing for any newly added designations - Cease all transactions with blocked parties unless specifically authorized

What You Need To Do

  • *Immediate Screening
  • *Asset Identification
  • *Freeze Implementation
  • *Notification
  • *Transaction Review
  • *Systems Update

Key Dates

January 5, 2026 - FINMA ordinance on asset freezing (RS 196.127.85) enters into force at 11 a.m., freezing assets of 37 designated persons
January 13, 2026 - SECO publishes updated Annex 1 to SR 946.231.178.5 (the update referenced in your query)
Immediate - Compliance obligations commence upon publication; no grace period for implementation DEADLINE

Compliance Impact

Urgency: CRITICAL

Who is Affected

*Primary stakeholders:Swiss banks and financial institutionsAsset managers and wealth managers operating in SwitzerlandPayment service providers and money transmittersInsurance companies with Venezuelan exposureAny Swiss entity holding assets or conducting transactions involving Venezuela-related parties*Secondary stakeholders:Multinational firms with Swiss subsidiaries or operations

Summary

Das Eidgenössische Departement für Wirtschaft, Bildung und Forschung WBF hat Änderungen des Anhangs 1 der Verordnung vom 28. März 2018 über Massnahmen gegenüber Venezuela (SR 946.231.178.5) publiziert.

Relevant Firm Types

BankWealth ManagerAsset ManagerAll Firms
View Original on FINMA Back to Feed