China sanctions Paraguayan and Belizean ministers over Taiwan ties
China’s Foreign Ministry froze assets and barred domestic dealings with two cabinet ministers from Paraguay and Belize, alongside visa and entry bans that took effect Oct. 12.
BEIJING, October 12, 2026 — China’s Foreign Ministry froze assets in China and prohibited domestic organizations and individuals from transactions or cooperation with two cabinet ministers from Paraguay and Belize. The measures took effect the same day.
The actions target Gustavo Emigdio Villate Samaniego, Paraguay’s communications and technology minister, and Francis Fonseca, Belize’s minister of foreign affairs, foreign trade, education, culture, science and technology.
Both men are also ineligible for Chinese visas and barred from entering China, including Hong Kong and Macau. Orders No. 21 and No. 22 imposed the same three restrictions under China’s Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law.
The ministry said the officials had supported their countries’ continued “diplomatic relations” with Taiwan and engaged in conduct on China-related issues that harmed Chinese core interests. It framed the measures as defending sovereignty, security and development interests and opposing Taiwan independence.
The asset freezes extend to movable, immovable and other property in China. The new entries may require sanctions-screening and internal list data updates.
Regulatory Actions
Structured data extracted from official sources and validated by sanctions experts