These Regulations are made under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 (c.13) to establish a sanctions regime in relation to Nicaragua for the purposes of encouraging the Government of Nicaragua to: respect democratic principles and institutions, the separation of powers and the rule of law, refrain from the repression of civil society, and comply with international human rights law and respect human rights. Following the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, these Regulations replace the EU sanctions regime implemented via EU Council Decision (CFSP) 2019/1720 of 14 October 2019 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Nicaragua and Council Regulation (EU) 2019/1716 of 14 October 2019 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in Nicaragua (“the EU Nicaragua Regulation”).