Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Weekly Digest – Volume 138

138th PEP Weekly Digest:

Introducing the 138th edition of The PEP Weekly Digest, where we present to you the most recent updates and news on the global political stage.

Recent and upcoming elections influence the worldwide political landscape in eight nations, slated between Dec 28, 2025 and Apr 12, 2026. These elections hold significant importance, as they will determine the direction and governance of each respective country’s future.

Honduran President Lobo Appoints Mireya Agüero as New Foreign Minister Amid Cabinet Reshuffle

One noteworthy event has occurred in Honduras: Honduran President Porfirio Lobo appointed Mireya Agüero de Corrales as the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, replacing Arturo Corrales, who was appointed as the new Minister of Security.

Lobo welcomed Mireya Agüero to her new position during the Council of Ministers meeting.

The week began with several changes in the government cabinet, after Pompeyo Bonilla made the decision to make his position available to the President of the Republic after 18 months at the head of the Security Secretariat.

Lobo has been in government for three years and is going for his third secretary in this portfolio.

Belarus President Lukashenko Appoints Vladislav Tatarinovich as New Finance Minister

Shifting our focus to Belarus, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has appointed Vladislav Tatarinovich as the new Minister of Finance of the republic. This was reported by the BelTA news agency on January 22.

“He (Tatarinovich—Ed.) is a ‘money man.'” He knows financial work well. And I feel like he’s a little cramped in parliament after all. It might not even be his place or his business. And I thought that we would try him at a specific but well—known job,” Lukashenko said.

Mikie Sherrill Sworn In as New Jersey Governor, Becomes Ex Officio Princeton Trustee

In the United States, Mikie Sherrill was sworn in as the 57th governor of New Jersey on Jan. 20, becoming an ex officio trustee of Princeton University. In this role, she will hold a vote on major University decisions.

For the period between her election and inauguration day, Sherrill appointed two Princeton faculty members to lead two of her administration’s transition teams.

The first was School of Public and International Affairs Professor of the Practice Heather Howard, who co-chaired a team focused on affordable healthcare policy. In the role, Howard led multiple state and national experts focused on expanding healthcare affordability. Howard previously served as policy counsel for former N.J. Governor Jon Corzine and as commissioner of New Jersey’s Department of Health and Senior Services.

Danish Regulator Fines Saxo Bank DKK 313 Million in Major AML Case

In the realm of regulatory affairs, Copenhagen based Retail FX and CFDs broker Saxo Bank has been issued one of the largest fines we can recall involving an industry participant, with the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority hitting Saxo with a DKK 313 million (USD $49.8 million) penalty.

Based on a press release put out by Finish investment outfit Mandatum, which is in process of selling its 19.83% stake in Saxo Bank as part of a takeover of the company by the Safra Group, the fine was issued due to an inspection focused on the anti-money laundering (AML) area. The inspection did not find any instances or signs of actual money laundering.

Mandatum also indicated that its share of the original purchase price (approximately €319 million) might be subject to a downward adjustment, as a result of the fine. The parties to the transaction had agreed on an indemnity mechanism, according to which the cost of a possible administrative fine will impact the value of Saxo Bank’s shares. In accordance with the share purchase agreement, the proportionate deduction due to the impact of the administrative fine to the purchase price to be received by Mandatum in connection with the closing of the transaction is approximately €8 million.

South Korean Court Sentences Former PM Han Duck-soo to 23 Years for Insurrection

Shifting our attention to South Korea, a South Korean court has sentenced former Prime minister Han Duck-soo to 23 years in prison after finding him guilty on insurrection charges related to disgraced ex-President Yoon Suk-yeol’s short-lived declaration of martial law.

Han was found guilty of abetting Yoon’s brief imposition of martial law and for failing to hold a lawful cabinet meeting, as required by South Korean law, after the decree to mobilise the military was ordered by the then-president in December 2024.

Han”disregarded his duty and responsibility as prime minister until the very end”, said Judge Lee Jin-gwan, of the Seoul Central District Court.

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