Spain Activates EU Blocking Statute Against US Sanctions

May 7, 2026

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez officially appealed to the European Commission to activate the EU blocking statute against US sanctions targeting International Criminal Court officials. Donald Trump signed a decree imposing sanctions on 11 ICC officials, including the chief prosecutor and eight judges, in February 2025. The EU blocking law was previously applied against US sanctions on Cuba and Iran during the Trump administration.

Spanish EU blocking statute request

▪Pedro Sanchez wrote on social network X that the imposition of sanctions against those who defend international justice puts the entire human rights protection system at risk.
▪Pedro Sanchez's appeal to the European Commission is the first such request from a leader of a European country.
▪Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez officially appealed to the European Commission to enact an EU blocking law against US sanctions against the International Criminal Court.

US sanctions against ICC

▪11 International Criminal Court officials, including the chief prosecutor and eight judges, have been placed under US sanctions restrictions.
▪Donald Trump accused the International Criminal Court of illegal actions against the United States and Israel.
▪Donald Trump signed a decree on tough economic sanctions against the International Criminal Court in February 2025.

Historical blocking statute precedents

▪The EU blocking law was previously applied against the United States due to sanctions against Cuba.

Broader geopolitical tensions

▪Pedro Sanchez's blocking statute initiative has been announced against the background of a trade war between the United States and the European Union.
▪Pedro Sanchez's blocking statute initiative has been announced against the background of the threat of the withdrawal of American troops from Europe.