OFAC removes 76 outdated SDN entries — first wave of sanctions modernization effort
Sanctions screening teams must update SDN lists for OFAC's 76-entry modernization removal effective 28 May 2026
OFAC
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Change
On 28 May 2026, OFAC removed 76 outdated SDN entries as the first wave of a sanctions modernization effort, covering deceased terrorists, killed cartel leaders, aged Cali Cartel SDNT designations from the 1990s, defunct organizations (ETA, Yakuza, Camorra), Gaddafi-era Libyan officials, and 11 Russia EO14024 designations including several deceased Duma and Federation Council members.
Why it matters
The removals are framed by OFAC as clearing SDN designations that no longer serve an active sanctions purpose. The list spans deceased al-Qa'ida, AQIM, ISIS and Abu Sayyaf figures (Janjalani, Abu Ghadiyah, Harrach, Tariq al-Harzi, Faruq al-Qatani, Abu Dergham al-Binali, Sharrouf, al-Werfalli); killed cartel leaders (Nacho Coronel, Macho Prieto, Lazcano, Kolbayev); aged 1990s Cali Cartel SDNT entities and individuals under EO 12978; ETA, Yakuza and Camorra elders; Gaddafi-era Libyan security officials; Liberia's Prince Yormie Johnson (died 2024); 11 Russia EO14024 designations including Ivan Sechin and several deceased Duma/Federation Council members; and multiple vessels under Iran SDGT, Venezuela EO13850 and Russia EO14024 programs. OFAC presents this as the first wave of modernization, signalling further removals ahead.
Implications
- — Sanctions screening teams at US financial institutions and US-touching counterparties globally must pull the 28 May 2026 SDN update and rerun customer, counterparty, and vessel screening — continuing to screen against the prior list generates false positives on entities and vessels no longer designated.
- — Compliance teams holding assets previously blocked under any of the removed designations must review whether unblocking obligations now attach — the sole-basis test applies, so blocks supported by independent grounds (other sanctions programs, AML concerns) may continue.
- — Trade-finance, payments and KYC functions must reassess customer or counterparty rejections where the sole rejection basis was one of the removed designations — previously declined onboarding decisions may now be eligible for reconsideration.
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