Foreign policy and sanctions

Executive Order 13581: Blocking Property of Transnational Criminal Organizations

President: Barack Obama

Authorized asset freezes against significant transnational criminal organizations and their supporters.

Status: In effect as amended by EO 13863.

Is Executive Order 13581 still in effect? Yes, as amended by EO 13863.

What does Executive Order 13581 do?

EO 13581 declared a national emergency over major cross-border criminal organizations, initially listing the Camorra, Brothers’ Circle, Yakuza and Los Zetas. Treasury can block designated organizations, people acting for them and material supporters. EO 13863 broadened the criteria in 2019, and OFAC continued issuing TCO designations and licenses in 2025–2026.

Administration position: Designation is a financial sanction, not a criminal conviction; separately prosecuting crimes requires statutory charges and due process.
SignedJuly 24, 2011
AuthorityIEEPA and National Emergencies Act
AdministratorTreasury OFAC

Before and after

Before the order

Criminal and narcotics laws addressed organizations, but no general emergency sanctions program covered significant TCOs as such.

After the order

US property could be frozen and transactions barred for designated TCOs and support networks.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
TreasuryDesignate persons issue licenses and enforceContinuing
US personsBlock and report covered propertyContinuing
Justice State and other agenciesCoordinate evidence and policyContinuing

What happened next

EO 13581 created the program.

EO 13863 amended and expanded designation criteria.